Sean "Diddy" Combs faces a series of civil lawsuits, including accusations of rape, sex trafficking, assault, and other abuses from four plaintiffs. Diddy and his attorneys vehemently deny these allegations. The suits have brought shockwaves to the music industry, endangering his empire. Notably, Cassie, his ex-girlfriend, accused him of rape, leading to a quick settlement. Joi Dickerson-Neal alleges drugging and rape in 1991, while Liza Gardner claims sexual assault. The latest suit involves sex trafficking and gang rape of a 17-year-old. Diddy took to Instagram to deny the allegations, stating, "I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth."
Kirk Burrowes, co-founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, describes a pattern of mistreatment of women dating back decades. Burrowes recalls Combs' propensity for violence, citing incidents in the '90s. In 2003, Burrowes sued Combs, alleging threats with a baseball bat to sign over shares. Combs physically assaulted a woman in 1994 at Bad Boy offices, according to Burrowes. Another witness corroborates the account. Burrowes expresses belief in the accusers, highlighting Cassie's heroism and warning about the consequences of being associated with Combs. Combs' representative declined to comment on these claims. The lawsuits coincide with a broader reckoning in the music industry around abuse and power under New York's Adult Survivors Act.
What's more, the fallout from the mounting accusations against Diddy has led to the termination of deals with UMG, Motown, and HULU.