Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing multiple allegations of sexual assault.
The rapper first made headlines in November 2023, when his ex Cassie filed a bombshell lawsuit against him, alleging that the music mogul raped her and sold her for sexual favors during 10 years of abuse.
In her lawsuit filed against Combs in New York, she claimed she was trapped in a decades-long “cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking” that included a 2018 rape after she tried to leave him and multiple incidents of domestic violence.
The lawsuit was settled “mutually” a day later, however, more people have since come forward, with some accusing Diddy of abuse, sex trafficking and gang rape.
On December 6, Diddy spoke out about the allegations. “TOO MUCH IS TOO MUCH. For the past few weeks, I’ve sat by and watched people try to kill my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” he wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. accusations against me.”
In March 2024, federal agents raided three properties, which a Homeland Security Investigations representative told PEOPLE was “part of an ongoing investigation.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the timeline of Diddy’s sexual assault allegations and lawsuit.
November 16, 2023: Diddy’s ex Cassie accuses him of rape, sex trafficking and domestic violence in a lawsuit
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty
On November 16, singer Cassie filed a lawsuit in New York against Diddy, who she dated on-again-off-again from 2007 to 2018. In her lawsuit, she accused Diddy of raping and abusing her during their decade-long relationship. After Cassie (born Casandra Ventura) decided to end the relationship completely in September 2018 during a dinner party, Diddy allegedly entered her home and raped her.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Combs’ attorney Ben Brafman dismissed the allegations, which he called “offensive and outrageous.”
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. Ms. Ventura’s request for $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail,” Brafman said. “Despite retracting her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, with the goal of defaming Mr. Combs and seeking payment.”
In response, Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement: “Mr. Combs offered Ms. Ventura eight figures to shut her up and prevent this lawsuit from being filed. She rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all the women who suffer in silence. Miss Ventura is to be applauded for her courage.”
November 17, 2023: Diddy and Cassie settle the lawsuit
A day after Ventura filed the lawsuit, Diddy and the singer announced that they had settled the lawsuit to “mutual satisfaction.” The parties added that no additional details on the terms of the agreement will be made public.
“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on the condition that I have some level of control,” Ventura said in a statement. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
Combs added: “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best.”
Ben Brafman, Combs’ attorney, clarified his client’s position on the matter, telling PEOPLE in a statement, “Just to be clear, the decision to settle the lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing. Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit is in no way undermined by his outright denial of the allegations. He is happy that they have reached a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
Sean Combs.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
November 23, 2023: Diddy is accused of sexual assault by another woman
Days after the settlement with Cassie, Diddy was accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, a woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal accused Diddy of drugging and raping her while she was a student at Syracuse University in 1991. Dickerson-Neal’s lawyers claim she was the victim of “revenge pornography” after the music mogul allegedly filmed the incident and shared the footage with others in the music industry.
At the time of the filing, which occurred as the New York State Adult Survivors Act deadline closed, Diddy denied the allegations, claiming Dickerson-Neal made up the story. “This last-minute lawsuit is an example of how a well-intentioned law can be turned upside down. The 32-year-old Mrs. Dickerson’s story is fabricated and not credible. Mr. Combs never attacked her and she implicates companies that didn’t exist. This is a pure money grab and nothing more,” the rapper’s spokesperson wrote in a statement to PEOPLE.
November 23, 2023: Diddy faces third sexual assault lawsuit
That same day, Diddy was accused of sexual assault by a third woman, according to a lawsuit filed in New York County Supreme Court. In a lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE, Jane Doe alleged that Diddy and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping her and a friend in New York more than 30 years ago.
“These are fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute. This is nothing but a money grab. Because of Mr. Combs’ fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial gain,” a spokesperson for Combs wrote in a statement to PEOPLE.
The spokesperson added, “The New York Legislature certainly did not intend or expect fraudsters to take advantage of the Adult Survivors Act. The public should be skeptical and not rush to accept these bogus allegations.”
PEOPLE tried to reach Hall for comment, but he was unavailable.
November 28, 2023: Diddy temporarily steps down as president of Revolt
Steve Granitz/WireImage
Shortly thereafter, the hop-hop TV network Revolt, which Diddy co-founded, released a statement via social media announcing that Diddy would no longer be the network’s CEO. A representative for the rapper told PEOPLE that the move is only temporary.
In a statement, the Network wrote: “Sean Combs has stepped down from his position as president of Revolt. While Mr. Combs previously had no operational or day-to-day role in the business, this decision helps ensure that Revolt remains steadfastly focused on our mission of creating meaningful content for culture and amplifying the voices of all black people across this country and the African diaspora.”
The statement continued: “Our focus has always been one that reflects our commitment to Revolt’s shared journey—one that is not driven by any one individual, but by the collective efforts and values of our entire team in the name of advancing, elevating, and championing our culture—and that continues .”
December 6, 2023: Diddy is accused by a fourth woman of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and gang rape
In early December, Diddy was accused of sexual assault by a fourth victim. In a lawsuit filed in New York, a woman named Jane Doe has accused Diddy, former Bad Boy Entertainment president Harvey Pierre and a third person labeled the “Third Assailant” of sex trafficking and gang rape when she was 17 years old.
In a filing obtained by PEOPLE, Jane Doe claimed that Pierre approached her at a salon in Michigan and convinced her to take a private jet with him and Third Assailant to Combs’ recording studio in New York. When she arrived, she claims she was given drugs and alcohol before being “viciously gang-raped,” the lawsuit alleges.
Pierre has not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment on any of the allegations.
December 6, 2023: Diddy speaks out about sexual assault allegations
Paras Griffin/Getty
That same day, Diddy denied the recent allegations against him in a statement to PEOPLE. “TOO MUCH IS TOO MUCH. For the last few weeks, I’ve sat in silence and watched people try to kill my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” he said.
The mogul added: “Individuals looking for a quick payday have made sick accusations against me. Let me be absolutely clear: I have done none of the aforementioned awful things. I will fight for my name, my family and the truth.”
February 26, 2024: Diddy is accused of sexual assault by a record producer
On February 26, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, Diddy’s former producer and recording artist, filed a lawsuit in New York federal court claiming the rapper had previously sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him while working with Combs on his recent album. Love album from September 2022 to November 2023. Jones is seeking $30 million in damages.
March 25, 2024: Diddy’s home is raided by federal agents
On March 25, federal agents raided three of Diddy’s properties in Los Angeles, New York and Miami.
“Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York conducted law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with the assistance of HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide additional information as it becomes available, ” a Homeland Security Investigations representative said in a statement to PEOPLE.
The actions come amid accusations of sex trafficking in two lawsuits.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education