Sean “Diddy” Combs Named in Seven New Lawsuits; other celebrities are said to be involved

CNN
—

Seven new civil lawsuits have been filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs, including two by accusers who say they were underage when they were allegedly drugged and assaulted by the music producer.

For the first time in a yearlong wave of trials against Combs, other celebrities are being cited and accused of being involved in an alleged assault, although they are not named.

In a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe, she says she was 13 years old in 2000 when she was invited by a limo driver to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty that Combs was hosting in New York City. In her complaint, after consuming a drink, Doe felt sleepy and looked for a place to lie down. Combs walked into the bedroom where she was resting, along with an unnamed male and an unnamed female celebrity.

“You're ready to party!” Combs told Doe, according to her complaint.

Her lawsuit alleges that the unnamed male celebrity raped Doe while Combs and the unnamed female celebrity watched. According to her lawsuit, Combs then raped Doe while the other two celebrities watched.

When reached for comment, representatives for Combs referred CNN to an earlier statement from his lawyers in which they disputed the allegations in six other lawsuits filed last week.

“Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defense and the integrity of the legal process,” Combs' lawyers said in the statement. “The truth will prevail in court: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone has – neither adult nor minor, man or woman.”

The latest lawsuits, five of which were filed Monday in New York federal court and two in New York Superior Court, involve allegations of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, assault or wrongful imprisonment by Combs between 2000 and 2022 in New York, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. All of the alleged incidents occurred at parties allegedly hosted by Combs.

Three plaintiffs are women and four are men, filed as Jane Doe or John Doe. All but one say they were drugged by Combs.

Another accuser states in his claim that he was a 17-year-old aspiring artist in 2022 when he was allegedly drugged at a party and sexually assaulted by Combs, who offered him a drink and “assured Doe that he could make him a star.” .”

Monday's lawsuits join other lawsuits against Combs filed last week by Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee and his co-counsel Andrew Van Arsdale, who previously said they were targeting at least 120 alleged victims of Combs, including minors , represent.

Federal prosecutors have accused Combs of orchestrating a “criminal enterprise” through his business empire that involved, among other things, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping and decades of physical abuse of women. He pleaded not guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and solicitation to engage in prostitution.

Combs is in custody in New York awaiting trial, which is scheduled to begin in May.

On Monday, Combs' lawyers said they had a “significant” new argument for his release from federal prison while he awaits trial.

Combs' lawyers are asking the appeals court to put an appeal on hold so he can bring new information to the attention of the federal judge overseeing the case, Judge Arun Subramanian.

Prosecutors refused to stay the appeal.

Before Combs requested the delay, the federal appeals court had scheduled a hearing on his detention for Nov. 4.

Over the weekend, his lawyers asked Subramanian to issue an order prohibiting potential witnesses and their lawyers from discussing the allegations against Combs.

“This court should exercise its discretion in issuing an order requiring all potential witnesses and their attorneys not to make any extrajudicial statements that have a substantial likelihood of prejudice the trial of Mr. Combs or otherwise interfere with the proper administration of justice.” , Combs' lawyers wrote to the judge.

Since November 2023, at least 25 civil lawsuits have been filed against Combs over allegations of sexual assault or misconduct. The first lawsuit filed by his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, was settled the next day. The other cases remain active.

Combs has denied the allegations.

Prosecutors said their criminal investigation is ongoing and additional charges or defendants could be included in a possible superseding indictment.

CNN's Kara Scannell contributed to this report.