Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: A Timeline of Allegations

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Content warning: This story contains allegations and descriptions of physical violence and sexual abuse.

After being hit with a number of civil lawsuits since late last year, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He was arrested on September 16. This comes after Combs was reportedly the subject of a federal investigation. The investigation and lawsuits mark a seachange in public perception of Combs, who is credited with shaping the landscape of hip-hop and R&B from the 1990s and beyond, helping to transform the genre into a global phenomenon. In 2022 Combs was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the BET Awards, and as recently as 2023 Combs received the Global Icon Award from MTV.

After the rapper and music executive’s homes were searched, public scrutiny of both Sean Combs and two of his sons skyrocketed, including disturbing allegations of abuse against Sean Combs that span decades coming to light. Here, we break down the cases ahead of the current investigations, and take a look at where the investigation stands now.

Cassie brings a lawsuit against Sean Combs accusing him of rape and abuse

In November 2023, Sean Combs was accused of rape and abuse by his former partner, recording artist Cassie. The singer, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, filed a civil complaint in federal court on November 16 in New York City alleging that Combs raped and physically abused her, including instances of beating her throughout the course of their relationship. Ventura "was held down by Mr. Combs and endured over a decade of his violent behavior and disturbed demands," the complaint said.

The complaint claimed Combs used “illegal substances and threats of violence to force Ms. Ventura into repeated unwanted sexual encounters with male sex workers.” The complaint further alleged that Combs blew up the car of rapper Kid Cudi (whose legal name is Scott Mescudi) after Combs learned that he was romantically interested in Ventura. In a statement to The New York Times, a spokesperson for Mescudi confirmed the account, saying, “This is all true.”

Combs has denied the allegations in the complaint, saying via lawyer Benjamin Brafman that he “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.” His attorney rejected the accusations, calling them offensive and outrageous. Teen Vogue has reached out to Combs but he declined additional comment through a representative.

Combs and Ventura reached a settlement just one day after the lawsuit was filed. Both parties announced on the evening of Friday November 17 that they reached a mutual agreement to resolve the case, however neither disclosed details of the settlement.

In a statement, Combs said, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”

"I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support." Ventura said in a statement.

While this suit was quickly settled, it was the first in multiple that would accuse Diddy of similar offenses.

More come forward with allegations against Combs

Among the flurry of lawsuits filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act of 2022, in which legislation granted victims of sexual assault one year to file charges after the expiration of statutes of limitations, two additional suits against Combs were filed.

In one civil suit, Joi Dickerson-Neal alleges Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991, when she was a college student. The lawsuit’s complaints seek restitution specifically for “injuries she has suffered as a result of being drugged, sexually assaulted and abused, and being the victim of ‘revenge porn’ that Sean Combs or ‘P. Diddy’ created and distributed.” A representative for Combs denied the allegations in a statement to TMZ, calling them “made up and not credible.”

“Mr. Combs never assaulted her and she implicates companies that did not exist,” the statement continued. "This is purely a money grab and nothing more."

Another civil lawsuit filed by Liza Gardner in New York names Sean Combs, singer Aaron Hall, and music company MCA Music Entertainment Group as defendants in the case. The lawsuit alleges that in 1990, Gardner was “coerced into having sex with Combs” and sexually assaulted by Hall. (Teen Vogue reached out to Hall for comment but has not heard back.) In a statement to the New York Times, a lawyer for Combs addressed the “alleged misconduct claims from many years ago,” noting that Combs has “denied and rejected” all allegations against him, and views the lawsuits as a money grab. The lawyer added, “Because of Mr. Combs’s fame and success, he is an easy target for accusers who attempt to smear him.”

Beyond the Adult Survivors Act, in another civil lawsuit filed against Combs alleging abuse by the music mogul, an anonymous victim described a harrowing incident of sexual assault by Combs and two other men, as well as alleged sex trafficking by Combs and Harve Pierre, the then-President of Combs’ record label, Bad Boy Entertainment.

The anonymous Jane Doe alleged in the lawsuit that, in 2003, when she was only 17 and a junior in high school, after convincing her to fly from the Detroit area to his studio in New York, Pierre and Combs plied her with drugs and sexually assaulted her together with another unidentified man. “Given the brave women who have come forward against Mr. Combs and Mr. Pierre in recent weeks, Ms. Doe is doing the same,” the lawsuit said. A judge has ruled that the accuser must reveal their identity if the case goes forward, writing in their decision that “The Court cannot rely on generalized, uncorroborated claims that disclosure would harm plaintiff to justify her anonymity.”

In a statement following the suit filed by Jane Doe, Combs said “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.” In a statement to TMZ, Pierre also denied the accusations. "This is a tale of fiction. I have never participated in, witnessed, nor heard of anything like this, ever,” he told TMZ. “These disgusting allegations are false and a desperate attempt for financial gain." Teen Vogue reached out to Pierre for comment but has not heard back.

While the allegations outlined in these lawsuits describe alleged events that would have happened in previous decades, a federal lawsuit filed against Combs by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones alleges misconduct occurring from September 2022 through November 2023 while producing Combs’ The Love Album. The 73-page civil lawsuit described an environment in which Jones claims he was, among other things, “a victim of Combs’ sexual abuse and sex trafficking organization”

In February 2024, when the lawsuit was filed, Combs' lawyer Shawn Holley said in a statement: "Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday. His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines."

Combs’ homes raided by Homeland Security

On March 25, 2024 Homeland Security Investigations, a department which often leads investigations of sex trafficking charges, deployed agents to search Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami via search warrants issued by the Southern District of New York. The searches followed the multiple lawsuits against Combs alleging sexual assault, sex trafficking, and distribution of illegal drugs and arms. NBC News reported that firearms were discovered at the residences and that officials seized his cellphones.

A lawyer for Sean Combs said in a statement to the New York Times the excessive show of force was “inexcusable” and reiterated that “Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities” and that Combs is “innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”

Officials reportedly did not confirm which criminal charges Combs was being investigated for, but videos widely circulated both on local news television in Los Angeles and online showed agents entering Combs’ home as well as placing a number of people present in handcuffs, including two of his sons, Christian “King” Combs and Justin Combs.

“Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way,” Combs’ attorney said in the statement.

Christian “King” Combs, Sean Combs’ son, is accused of sexual assault

In a 31 page civil lawsuit filed on April 4, 2024 by Grace O’Marcaigh in Los Angeles County Superior Court, O’Marcaigh described an event that allegedly took place in 2022 when O’Marcaigh was a staffer on a yacht chartered by Sean Combs. Here, the lawsuit said Christian Combs forced O’Marcaigh to take shots of tequila, which she quickly suspected were laced with drugs. The suit alleges Combs later cornered O’Marcaigh on the yacht, after which he “became physical and extremely aggressive.”

O’Marcaigh alleges in the lawsuit that Christian sexually assaulted her, stopping only when another yacht employee entered the room. Photos in the court filing appear to show bruises on the plaintiff’s forearm.

While both Christian Combs and Sean Combs are named as defendants, the suit accuses Sean Combs of aiding and abetting. An attorney for Combs slammed O’Marcaigh’s claims in a statement to Us, saying “We have not seen this woman’s claim but I’m sure we can expect the same kind of manufactured lies … just as we saw in Rodney Jones’ lawsuit.” In a statement to NBC News, an attorney for both Combses called the suit "lewd and meritless."

CNN obtains video that seems to show Diddy physically assaulting Cassie

On May 17, CNN published what looks to be hotel security footage from March, 2016, that shows a man who looks like Combs pushing and kicking a woman who looks like Ventura.

In the video, the man runs down a hotel hallway in a towel, chasing a woman who appears to be trying to leave. The man grabs her and throws her to the floor, then kicking her twice. He then appears to grab the woman and drag her. The video also shows the man throwing an object, seemingly at the woman.

CNN reports that the video seems to corroborate allegations Ventura made in her now-settled civil lawsuit.

Dawn Richard files lawsuit against Diddy alleging abuse, sexual battery and emotional distress

Former Danity Kane R&B/Pop group member Dawn Richard filed a lawsuit against Sean Combs, alleging in the suit that Combs subjected her to verbal abuse, assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Filed September 10, 2024 in the Southern District of New York, the suit outlines a pattern of alleged abuse and intimidation against Richard after becoming a member of Danity Kane on MTV’s “Making the Band” and continuing on through her time as a member of a subsequent Sean Combs project, Diddy – Dirty Money. In addition to alleging her own experiences of workplace harassment and abuse, the complaint also describes Combs’ alleged abuse towards his former partner, Cassie Ventura. In the suit, Richard states that she was not fairly compensated for her work throughout Danity Kane and Diddy – Dirty Money, for which she estimates total compensation losses over $3 million and is demanding judgments for compensation, mental pain, restitution and more. Earlier the same week, Combs was ordered to pay $100 million in a sexual assault default judgment after failing to appear for a virtual hearing.

Combs’ attorney, Erica Wolff, shared a comment with Teen Vogue saying, “Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour. If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have chosen to continue working directly with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on The Love Album last year. It’s unfortunate that Ms. Richard has cast their 20-year friendship aside to try and get money from him, but Mr. Combs is confidently standing on truth and looks forward to proving that in court.”

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges

Sean "Diddy" Combs was arrested late on Monday September 16, at the Park Hyatt hotel on West 57th Street, roughly six months after federal authorities conducted raids of two of his homes in Los Angeles and Miami where authorities seized electronic devices and, according to the indictment, seized firearms including AR-15s with defaced serial numbers.

A federal indictment against ‘Diddy’, which was unsealed on Tuesday September 17, charged him with three felony counts, accusing him of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The music business mogul “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals,” according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.

Detailing allegations stretching back to 2009, the indictment accuses him of abusing, threatening and coercing women for years “to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”

The indictment details that Combs allegedly "manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers.” The indictment also says that Combs allegedly arranged for women and sex workers to fly to him and allegedly coerced the women into participating in sex acts by giving them drugs, "controlling their careers, leveraging his financial support and threatening to cut off the same, and using intimidation and violence."

Combs’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, told reporters Tuesday outside of federal court in New York that the charges were expected. "We brought him to New York two weeks ago because, sure, we knew this day would come and it’s here," Agnifilo said. "He’s dealing with this head on the way he has dealt with every challenge in his life."

In a statement sent to ABC News earlier, Agnifilio said: "We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community."

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of sexual assault in wave of new lawsuits

Five new lawsuits were filed by the Buzbee Law Firm on October 20 against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in the Southern District of New York. Two additional suits were also filed on the same date in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The accusers are part of a wave of over 100 alleged victims who attorney Tony Buzbee, of the Buzbee Law Firm, says are taking action against Combs in the wake of his federal indictment on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering last month.

One of the suits comes from a Jane Doe, who alleges that she was raped on or around September 7, 2000, when she was 13 years old and attempted to attend the MTV Video Music Awards. The lawsuit claims the alleged victim, left outside the Awards without a ticket, had approached several limousine drivers to see if they could help her to get in. One of the drivers claimed to work for Combs and said that being young, she "fit what Diddy was looking for.” Not assisting her with attending the Awards, the driver instead offered her access to an after party.

Once inside the after party, the suit claims that two men asked Jane Doe to sign a non-disclosure agreement, saying she could not discuss what would happen that night. She then accepted a drink, after which she alleges that she “began to feel woozy and lightheaded” and made her way to an empty bedroom to lie down. Soon after, Combs allegedly entered the room with "a male and female celebrity," according to the lawsuit. Jane Doe then alleges that she was sexually assaulted by both Combs and the unnamed male celebrity.

After the assault, the suit alleges the plaintiff "fell into a deep depression which continues to affect every facet of her life."

Representatives for Combs did not provide new comments to Teen Vogue before publication, but instead re-shared a statement provided on October 1, denying all allegations: “The press conference and 1-800 number that preceded today’s barrage of filings were clear attempts to garner publicity. Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defenses, and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone—adult or minor, man or woman.”

Combs’ attorneys continue to fight against plaintiffs' ability to file charges anonymously, arguing it has damaged his reputation and his ability to defend himself. Tony Buzbee has filed requests to proceed anonymously.

This is a developing story, and has been updated to include breaking news.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can seek help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). For more resources on sexual assault, visit SafeBae, RAINN, End Rape on Campus, Know Your IX, and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. If you need help or support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800.799.SAFE [7233]) or use their live web chat.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue