Sean Combs sexual misconduct allegations
American rapper Sean Combs (also known as P. Diddy) has faced several accusations of sexual misconduct. In 1990, a woman accused him and R&B singer Aaron Hall of sexually assaulting her and her friend. Between November and December 2023, he was accused of sexual misconduct by four women including his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. He was further accused of sexual assault by his former producer Rodney Jones in February 2024 and, in September of the same year, he was federally charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.[1][2]

Combs has faced at least 10 civil lawsuits related to abuse and sexual misconduct. He pleaded not guilty to all his federal criminal charges from 2024.[3]
History
Lawsuits
In May 2017, Combs was sued by Cindy Rueda, a former personal chef for Combs, in Los Angeles County Superior Court on charges of retaliation and sexual harassment.[4] In February 2019, the lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount of money.[5]
In November 2023, Liza Gardner filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging that he and Aaron Hall had sexually assaulted her and her friend in 1990.[6][1] In the same month, Joi Dickerson-Neal filed another lawsuit alleging that Combs had drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991, as well as shared the video of her sexual assault.[1]
In 2023, Casandra Ventura filed a lawsuit alleging that she had been raped, trafficked and physically assaulted by Combs multiple times under a period of ten years. Another lawsuit filed by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith stated that Combs had sexually assaulted him at a party in 1997. In February 2024, producer Rodney Jones filed another lawsuit accusing Combs of sexually assaulting him during the time that he had worked for Combs between September 2022 and November 2023. In May, another lawsuit by model Crystal McKinney accused Combs of sexually assaulting her in 2003.[7]
On September 24, 2024, a woman filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging he and his head of security drugged her, bound her, and raped her in 2001 when she was 25 years old, and recorded the incident.[8] On September 27, a Florida model filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging he drugged, sexually assaulted, and impregnated her. Although she wound up having a miscarriage, one of Combs' associates pressured her to have an abortion.[9]
Law enforcement raids and criminal prosecution
On March 25, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security raided Combs' properties in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami using a Southern District of New York search warrant in connection with an unspecified ongoing investigation.[10] Federal agents confiscated computers and other electronic devices.[11]
According to the Miami Herald, federal agents questioned Combs at Opa-Locka Airport on March 25. The agents seized a number of electronic devices before allowing him to leave for his planned vacation to Antigua and Barbuda.[12][13]
Combs was arrested by US Homeland Security investigators in Manhattan on September 16, 2024, after a grand jury indicted him.[14][15] He was charged with sex trafficking and racketeering.[16] Combs pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance at a Manhattan federal courthouse on September 17, 2024.[17] During this court appearance, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied Combs bail and ordered him to remain in federal custody.[18] On September 18, a second judge, Andrew L. Carter Jr., denied bail due to concerns about potential witness threats and intimidation, despite his attorneys' offer of a $50 million bond.[19] Combs is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
On October 1, 2024, the Washington Post reported that a team of lawyers will be filing as many as 120 more lawsuits, covering assaults that took place during the 2000s and 2010s. Plaintiffs, 25 of whom are minors, are both male and female. Tony Buzbee, one of the attorneys on the team, said most of the alleged assaults took place in New York State. Half of the alleged victims say they reported the assault to police, to a doctor, or to the FBI. Some claim to have been drugged or offered hush money. Additional potential defendants other than Combs are also to be named in the lawsuits: "The names that we're going to name, assuming our investigators confirm and corroborate what we've been told, are names that will shock you", Buzbee commented at a press conference in Houston. "I'm talking here about not just the cowardly but complicit bystanders, that is those people that we know watched this behavior occur and did nothing. And I'm talking about the people that participated, encouraged it, egged it on. They know who they are."[20] Andrew Van Arsdale of the AVA Law Group, which is working with Buzbee, said they have heard from some 3,000 people with abuse allegations against Combs, and the team is currently actively examining another 100 potential cases.[21] Erica Wolff, a member of Combs's legal team, told the BBC that Combs "looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation".[21]
Industry and company responses
On November 24, 2023, Macy's announced that they were pulling all Sean John clothing from their department and online stores, effectively ending their partnership with Combs.[22] Four days later, Combs stepped down as chairman of Revolt TV.[23] Tsuri, Nuudii System, Fulaba, and House of Takura all ended their affiliations with Combs's e-commerce business, Empower Global.[24][25][26]
Hulu cancelled production for a planned reality series that centered on Combs and his family. A spokesperson for Hulu's parent company, The Walt Disney Company, said that "the show was in the nascent stages and is not currently in production".[27] On December 23, 2023, the Recording Academy decided to "re-evaluate" Combs's invitation to the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024.[28] He was nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album for Love Album: Off the Grid, but did not attend the ceremony.[29][30]
During a live performance in November 2023, Kesha changed the opening lyric of her 2009 hit "Tik Tok" from "wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy" to "wake up in the morning feeling like just me".[31] At a Coachella performance with Reneé Rapp in April 2024, Kesha changed the lyric to "wake up in the morning like fuck P. Diddy".[32] She has also stated in interviews that she plans to permanently perform the Coachella version of the lyrics going forward, and has encouraged fans to learn this version of the song to sing along at concerts.[33]
By April 2024, Combs's radio airplay and streaming figures decreased by 88% and 51.8% respectively.[34][35] In May 2024, Australian radio personality Stav Davidson and Sussan Ley, deputy leader of the Australian Opposition, called for a boycott or permanent ban of Combs's music from streaming services and radio.[36] Fitness brand Peloton Interactive removed Combs's music from their fitness classes and playlists, after initially announcing that it would "pause" the usage of it.[37]
On June 7, 2024, Howard University announced that it was revoking Combs's honorary doctorate. They also returned his $1 million donation and terminated his pledge agreement.[38] Nine days later, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the rescinding of Combs's key to the city, which he was awarded in September 2023.[39] On June 28, 2024, the offices of Miami-Dade County district attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle revoked Sean "Diddy" Combs Day, a city-wide holiday in Miami Beach, Florida inaugurated in his honor on October 13, 2016.[40]
Radio stations across the world began editing songs to remove references to Combs and his stage names, including ones from SiriusXM, iHeartMedia, and others. However, some Audacy stations still continued to play his songs as of September 2024.
On September 19, 2024, when Maren Morris performed her song "Rich" at the Bourbon & Beyond music festival, she removed the Diddy reference from the lyric "Me and Diddy drippin' diamonds like Marilyn" of the song and replaced it with a reference to Dolly Parton, following his recent arrest.[41][42]
On September 28, 2024, at a Jonas Brothers concert at the LDLC Arena in Paris, France, when Joe Jonas performed DNCE's song "Cake by the Ocean", he changed the lyric "Walk for me, baby / I'll be Diddy, you'll be Naomi" to "Walk for me, baby / I'll be watching you be Naomi". The changes came as Combs was arrested and charged with racketeering and sex trafficking by force.[43][44][45]
References
- ^ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "A timeline of allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs". Los Angeles Times. 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
- ^ "Opinion | The checkered origins of the law at the center of Sean "Diddy" Combs' prosecution". MSNBC.com. 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
- ^ Campbell, Elizabeth Wolfe, Elizabeth Wagmeister, Josh (2024-09-18). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested after a year of intensifying allegations. How we got here". CNN. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Cullins, Ashley (2017-05-08). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sued by Ex-Chef for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Diddy's Former Personal Chef Settles Work Claims Suit With Rapper". NBC Los Angeles. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old in the early 1990s". NBC News. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "All the allegations made against Sean 'Diddy' Combs". The Independent. 2024-09-29. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Dalton, Andrew (September 24, 2024). "Woman alleges Sean 'Diddy' Combs raped her on video in latest lawsuit". Associated Press News. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Groxford, Rianna; Kennelly, Larissa (September 27, 2024). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs facing more allegations of sexual assault". BBC.
- ^ Singh, Maanvi (2024-03-26). "Federal agents raid multiple properties of Sean 'Diddy' Combs". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Diddy responds to raids at LA, Miami homes; electronics seized by Homeland Security agents". ABC7 San Francisco. 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs: Who is the US rapper accused of sex trafficking?". 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "What did agents find when they raided Diddy's mansion? Where is the mogul? What to know". Miami Herald.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Sean Combs Arrested in Manhattan After Grand Jury Indictment". The New York Times.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Sean Combs Charged in Manhattan Federal Court With Sex Trafficking, Additional Federal Offenses Following HSI New York Investigation | Homeland Security". www.dhs.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ Helmore, Edward (2024-09-17). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail in sex-trafficking and racketeering case". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs jailed by judge after sex trafficking indictment". AP News. 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs jailed by judge after sex trafficking indictment". AP News. 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ News, A. B. C. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail again in sex trafficking indictment". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ Branigin, Anne; Scribner, Herb (October 1, 2024). "120 additional sexual assault lawsuits to be filed against Sean 'Diddy' Combs". Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ 21.0 21.1 Yousif, Nadine; Croxford, Rianna (October 1, 2024). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs: More than 100 people to sue rapper". www.bbc.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ Grant, Shawn (November 24, 2023). "Macy's Beginning to Remove Diddy's Sean John from Stores and Website". The Source. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ Leach, Kamaron (November 28, 2023). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Named in Abuse Suits, Leaves Revolt Media Role". BNN Bloomberg. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Brands Cut Ties with Sean 'Diddy' Combs' E-Commerce Business After Multiple Sexual Assault Allegations". People. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ Griffin, Marc (December 11, 2023). "Diddy Reportedly Loses 18 Brand Partnerships Amid Assault Allegations". Vibe. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ Dillon, Cheyenne; Roundtree, Nancy (December 10, 2023). "18 Companies Flee Sean Combs' Latest Business as Allegations Mount". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
- ^ Dasrath, Diana; Burke, Minyvonne (December 14, 2023). "Reality TV show about Diddy's family is pulled amid sexual assault lawsuits". NBC News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Inman, DeMicia (December 13, 2023). "Recording Academy "Evaluating" Diddy's Grammy Invitation Following Assault Accusations". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
- ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs 'will miss 2024 Grammys after facing sex assault allegations'". Yahoo News. January 14, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Millman, Ethan (January 12, 2024). "Diddy Will Not Attend the 2024 Grammys Amid Sexual Abuse Claims: Report". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Bowenbank, Starr (November 19, 2023). "Kesha Removes Diddy's Name From 'TiK ToK' Lyrics Onstage After Cassie Lawsuit". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven (April 14, 2024). "Kesha Changes 'Tik Tok' Lyrics to 'F— P. Diddy' During Surprise Appearance at Reneé Rapp's Coachella 2024 Set". Variety. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Dailey, Hannah (May 10, 2024). "Kesha Says She's Permanently Changing Diddy Lyric in 'Tik Tok': 'I Know What I Stand For'". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (May 20, 2024). "Streaming Activity for Sean "Diddy" Combs Drops Following Assault Allegations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Zellner, Xander (April 1, 2024). "Diddy's Radio Airplay Plummets After Sexual Abuse Allegations & Federal Agent Home Raids". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Woods, Aleia (May 21, 2024). "Australians Are Calling for Diddy's Music to Be Banned From Their Radio Stations". XXL Mag. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Peloton Cuts Ties With Diddy Over Assault Video, Bans Use Of Rapper's Music". Yahoo Entertainment. May 21, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Frehse, Rob; Respers, Lisa; Campbell, Josh; Wagmeister, Elizabeth (June 7, 2024). "Howard University revokes Sean Combs' honorary degree and terminates $2 million gift and pledge agreement". CNN. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ "Diddy returns key to NYC after request from Mayor Eric Adams". NBC News. June 16, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (June 28, 2024). "Diddy Day in Miami Beach Is No More". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Siwak, Miranda (2024-09-21). "Maren Morris Tweaks 'Rich' Lyrics to Remove Diddy Mention After Arrest". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ "Maren Morris snubs Diddy reference in 'Rich' lyrics after arrest". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ "Did Joe Jonas Skip Over Diddy Lyric While Singing 'Cake By the Ocean'?". www.usmagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ Soteriou, Stephanie (2024-10-02). "Joe Jonas Is The Latest Star To Quietly Remove A Diddy Reference From His Music Amid Mounting Allegations". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ "Joe Jonas quietly removes Diddy lyric from hit song amid sex trafficking trial". The Independent. 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2024-10-02.