Attorneys announced on Tuesday that they plan to file over 120 lawsuits on behalf of people who claim they were sexually abused by Sean “Diddy” Combs and his associates. Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, alongside sexual abuse victims advocates and co-counsel Andrew Van Arsdale, stated at a press conference that many of the alleged victims have already spoken to law enforcement, including the FBI.
The lawyers are currently gathering police reports and medical records from hospitals, with some alleged victims testing positive for drugs like xylazine, a sedative. Most of the victims stayed silent until Combs was arrested and indicted by federal authorities in September. Buzbee mentioned that many feared backlash from their communities, families, and the perpetrators.
Over 3,000 people have reached out to the attorneys regarding possible abuse, resulting in 120 accusers from more than 25 states, mainly California, New York, Georgia, and Florida. The alleged victims are a mix of genders and races, with a significant portion identifying as African American. The cases share a common thread of victims being lured into situations where they were drugged at parties before being sexually assaulted by Combs or his associates.
One victim, who was only 22 at the time, revealed that refusing a drink meant being kicked out of the party. The abuse often occurred at auditions, parties, and album releases hosted by Combs. Those who confronted Combs or his associates post-abuse faced threats of violence or financial consequences. Buzbee mentioned that some well-known individuals were involved in the abuse or witnessed it.
Shocking details emerged, including at least 25 minors among the victims, with the youngest being a 9-year-old brought to New York City by Combs’ record label for an audition. The child was promised a record deal for himself and his parents, only to face abuse at the studio. The lawsuits will target Combs individually, along with potentially involving corporate entities that profited from the abuse.
Diddy’s attorney did not respond to requests for comments, but he has previously denied other sexual abuse allegations and expressed a willingness to share his side of the story. This case sheds light on the prevalence of abuse in powerful circles and the importance of victims speaking out against such heinous acts.
