Sean “Diddy” Combs, a towering figure in hip-hop and the music industry, celebrated his 53rd birthday just two years ago with a star-studded party at his Beverly Hills mansion. The event, boasting guests like Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige, marked 30 years of a career that reshaped hip-hop and built a vast entertainment empire. However, fast forward to 2024, and Diddy’s illustrious career is overshadowed by a barrage of serious accusations.
From kidnapping and drugging women to sexual assault and operating a sex trafficking enterprise, the allegations against Diddy are grave and numerous. His Los Angeles mansion, once the scene of glamorous celebrations, was raided by law enforcement in March, reportedly uncovering evidence linked to so-called “freak offs” – alleged orgies involving drugs and sexual coercion. While Mr. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges, the unfolding legal battles and mounting accusations paint a starkly different picture from the carefully crafted mogul persona. This article provides a timeline of the charges and lawsuits that have cast a dark shadow over Sean Combs’ legacy, exploring what exactly “Diddy did” according to these serious claims.
November 16, 2023: Cassie’s Lawsuit Ignites the Firestorm
The first major legal blow came on November 16, 2023, when Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, filed a lawsuit against Sean Combs. Cassie, a singer and model who was signed to Diddy’s record label and in an on-off relationship with him from 2007 to 2018, alleged a pattern of disturbing behavior. Her lawsuit detailed accusations of a “manipulative and coercive romantic and sexual relationship,” asserting that Diddy used his powerful position to exploit and abuse her.
Cassie’s lawsuit included graphic descriptions of violent physical abuse, stating that Diddy “regularly beat and kicked Ms. Ventura, leaving black eyes, bruises, and blood.” She also brought to light the concept of “freak offs,” alleging these were drug-fueled, multi-day sexual events that Diddy coerced women into participating in, often filming them for his personal gratification. Sexual abuse and rape were also among the accusations, with Cassie claiming these acts occurred in the presence of Diddy’s inner circle, who allegedly did nothing to intervene. Adding to the allegations, Cassie claimed Diddy intentionally damaged a car belonging to rapper Kid Cudi out of jealousy and to prevent him from dating her.
Diddy vehemently denied all allegations, branding Cassie’s lawsuit as extortion. However, in a surprising turn, the case was settled just a day after filing for an undisclosed sum. Despite the settlement, Diddy maintained his innocence, leaving a cloud of unanswered questions and fueling further scrutiny.
November – December 2023: A Barrage of Sexual Assault Lawsuits
Following the swift settlement with Cassie, a wave of new lawsuits emerged in late 2023, as multiple women came forward with accusations of sexual assault against Sean Combs, some dating back decades.
One anonymous lawsuit was filed by a woman alleging that Diddy and another man coerced her into sexual acts. Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a separate lawsuit, accusing Diddy of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 1991 when she was a college student. She further claimed that Diddy filmed the assault and shared the footage without her consent. Liza Gardner added to the growing list of accusers, filing court papers alleging that Diddy and another man raped her and her friend over 30 years prior, when she was only 16 years old. Gardner also claimed Diddy became violent towards her days after the alleged rape, choking her unconscious while trying to locate her friend.
These lawsuits surfaced just before the deadline of New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allowed survivors of sexual abuse to file claims even if the statute of limitations had expired. Diddy’s spokesperson dismissed these lawsuits as “money grabs,” and he denied all allegations, but the sheer volume of accusations was mounting pressure and damaging his public image.
December 2023: Underage Sex Trafficking Claim
In December 2023, another lawsuit leveled even more disturbing accusations. A woman known as Jane Doe claimed she was “sex trafficked” and “gang raped” by Diddy, along with former Bad Boy Records president Harve Pierre, and another man in 2003, when she was only 17 years old. Court documents detailed allegations that she was given “copious amounts of drugs and alcohol” before the alleged attack, leaving her in severe pain and with memory gaps of how she returned home.
Diddy again denied any wrongdoing, stating he “did not do any of the awful things being alleged.” Harve Pierre also refuted the claims, calling them “false and a desperate attempt for financial gain.” Despite the denials, the underage sex trafficking allegation significantly escalated the severity of the accusations against Diddy.
Diddy’s Public Denial Amidst Rising Accusations
On December 6, 2023, facing a torrent of lawsuits and damaging allegations, Diddy issued a public statement on his Instagram page. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” he wrote, claiming to have “sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy.” He labeled the allegations as “sickening” and made by “individuals looking for a quick payday.” “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth,” Diddy declared, attempting to push back against the growing narrative.
February 2024: Grooming Allegations Surface
In February 2024, music producer Rodney Jones Jr., who contributed to Diddy’s 2023 album “The Love Album,” filed a lawsuit making further damaging claims. Jones alleged unwanted sexual contact by Diddy and accused him of forcing him to hire prostitutes and engage in sex acts with them. The lawsuit also claimed Diddy attempted to “groom” Jones into having sex with another man, presenting it as “a normal practice in the music industry.”
Diddy’s lawyer dismissed Rodney Jones Jr. as a “liar” and his claims as “pure fiction,” stating they could be disproven with “overwhelming, indisputable proof.” However, the grooming allegations added another layer of complexity and deepened the public perception of Diddy’s alleged misconduct.
May 17, 2024: Cassie Assault Video Emerges, Shaking Public Perception
A pivotal moment arrived on May 17, 2024, when CCTV footage surfaced showing Sean Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Broadcast by CNN, the video depicted a man, identified as Diddy, pushing Cassie to the ground, kicking her while she was down, attempting to drag her by her shirt, and throwing an object at her. The graphic video evidence starkly contradicted Diddy’s previous denials and ignited widespread public outrage.
The day after the video’s release, Diddy issued a public apology, stating: “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.” Cassie responded with a statement highlighting the lasting impact of domestic violence, stating it “broke me down to someone I never thought I would become.” The video and Diddy’s subsequent apology marked a significant shift, publicly confirming at least one instance of violent behavior and damaging his credibility further.
May 21, 2024: More Lawsuits Follow Video Release
In the wake of the Cassie assault video, more lawsuits quickly followed. Model and actress Crystal McKinney accused Diddy of drugging her and forcing her to perform oral sex in a New York City recording studio bathroom in 2003. Two days later, April Lampros filed another lawsuit, alleging four instances of sexual assault between 1995 and approximately 2000. Lampros claimed her relationship with Diddy, which began romantically after meeting him in 1994, “quickly turned into an aggressive, coercive, and abusive relationship based on sex.” She detailed one incident where Diddy allegedly forced her to take ecstasy and have sex with his then-girlfriend.
July 2024: Innocence Maintained Amidst Eighth Lawsuit
In July 2024, former adult film star Adria English became the eighth woman to file a lawsuit, claiming she was “groomed into sex trafficking over time” at Diddy’s parties between 2004 and 2009. Despite the growing number of accusers and mounting evidence, Diddy’s lawyer Jonathan Davis responded, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone.”
September 10, 2024: Court No-Show and Default Judgment
Adding to the legal complexities, on September 10, 2024, Diddy failed to appear at a virtual hearing for a lawsuit filed by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, an inmate who claimed Diddy drugged and sexually assaulted him at a Detroit party in 1997. This no-show resulted in a default judgment against Diddy, initially ordering him to pay $100 million. While this judgment was later set aside on appeal, it highlighted further legal troubles and questions about Diddy’s approach to these lawsuits.
September 11, 2024: Girl Band Singer Joins Lawsuit Ranks
Dawn Richard, a former singer in Diddy’s girl group Danity Kane and later Diddy Dirty Money, filed a lawsuit on September 11, 2024. Richard alleged multiple instances of sexual assault by Diddy, including unwanted touching, verbal abuse, and overworking. Her lawsuit added to the pattern of accusations from women who worked closely with Diddy in the music industry.
September 16, 2024: Arrest and Grand Jury Indictment
A significant development occurred on September 16, 2024, when Diddy was arrested in a Manhattan hotel room following a grand jury indictment. His lawyer stated he had cooperated with authorities and voluntarily returned to New York in anticipation of the charges. “These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court,” his lawyer asserted.
September 17, 2024: Sex Trafficking Charges and “Freak Off” Details Emerge
On September 17, 2024, Diddy appeared in US District Court in New York and was formally charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. An unsealed indictment detailed further allegations of kidnapping, forced labor, bribery, and other crimes. Prosecutors painted a picture of Diddy as the leader of a criminal enterprise that exploited women, forcing them into drug-fueled orgies, the infamous “freak offs,” with threats of violence.
These “freak offs” were described as “elaborate and produced sex performances,” highly organized parties where Diddy’s associates allegedly booked hotel suites, recruited sex workers, and distributed drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine to coerce participants and maintain control. Staff allegedly arranged travel and even provided intravenous fluids for recovery after these multi-day events. Prosecutors also claimed Diddy recorded these “freak offs” and used the footage to silence victims.
Facing a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted, Diddy pleaded not guilty. His lawyer argued the “freak offs” were consensual, asking, “Is it sex trafficking? Not if everybody wants to be there.” However, bail was denied, with the judge citing Diddy’s risk of witness tampering, anger issues, and substance abuse history.
September 24, 2024: Eleventh Lawsuit Alleges Rape and Video Evidence
Diddy was moved to a special unit at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Around the same time, on September 24, 2024, he was served with an eleventh lawsuit. Thalia Graves alleged that Diddy and his bodyguard drugged, bound, and violently raped her in 2001 and later showed a video of the attack to others. Graves spoke at a news conference about the “lasting effects” of the assault, stating it created “a cycle of suffering from which it is hard to break free.”
October 1, 2024: Over 100 New Assault Allegations Anticipated
A lawyer announced on October 1, 2024, that over 100 people were planning to sue Diddy for sexual assault, rape, and sexual exploitation. Tony Buzbee, representing these individuals, stated that half were men, and 25 were minors, marking the first accusations of child sexual abuse against Diddy. One alleged victim was claimed to be only nine years old at the time of the assault. Diddy’s lawyer again “emphatically and categorically” denied the allegations as “false and defamatory.”
October 14, 2024: Six New Lawsuits, Including Teen Accusations
Six new lawsuits were filed on October 14, 2024, by Tony Buzbee in New York, including accusations from both men and women. One accuser claimed he was 16 when Diddy ordered him to undress at a party in the Hamptons in 1998. Another lawsuit from a woman alleged rape at a hotel party. Diddy’s legal team dismissed these lawsuits as “clear attempts to garner publicity,” maintaining his innocence.
October 15, 2024: Tupac Comment Allegedly Leads to Rape
Another lawsuit filed on October 15, 2024, by Ashley Parham accused Diddy of rape as “payback” for her suggestion he was involved in the murder of Tupac Shakur. Parham claimed Diddy held a knife to her face and threatened her in retaliation for her comment before she was raped by multiple people, including Diddy. This lawsuit connected the allegations against Diddy to the long-standing rumors surrounding Tupac Shakur’s murder, for which Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been charged, with a trial set for March 2025. Davis has previously claimed Diddy offered him $1 million to kill Shakur.
October 21, 2024: Seven More Lawsuits Filed
Seven new civil lawsuits were filed on October 21, 2024, in federal court in New York, with four men and three women alleging sexual assault by Diddy at various locations. The youngest plaintiff was reportedly 13 at the time of the alleged incident. His lawyers continued to dismiss these lawsuits as publicity stunts, reiterating that Diddy has never sexually assaulted anyone.
October 29, 2024: Two More Lawsuits, One Victim Allegedly 10 Years Old
Two more lawsuits were filed on October 29, 2024, in New York, both from men who were underage at the time of the alleged assaults. One alleged victim claimed to be only 10 years old at the time. The second alleged assault involved a teenage boy auditioning for Diddy’s MTV show “Making the Band.” Representatives for Diddy again denied all allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking, stating he has never assaulted or trafficked anyone, man, woman, adult, or minor.
November 19, 2024: New Lawsuits Target Diddy and Attorney
Five more anonymous lawsuits were filed against Diddy on November 19, 2024, from three men and two women, with at least two outlining rape accusations. Additionally, two lawsuits targeted Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing many of Diddy’s accusers. One lawsuit alleged Buzbee attempted to extort a former Diddy associate with fabricated sexual assault allegations. The second lawsuit, filed by a woman, claimed Buzbee abused his power and violated her while representing her as a client, allegations Buzbee denied.
November 27, 2024: Third Bail Denial
On November 27, 2024, Diddy’s third attempt to secure bail was denied. The judge cited “evidence supporting a serious risk of witness tampering,” as prosecutors alleged Diddy had violated prison rules by contacting potential witnesses using other inmates’ phone accounts and influencing online narratives to benefit his defense. The judge concluded the court could not trust Diddy if released on bail, keeping him detained until his trial.
November 29, 2024: Balcony Dangling Allegation
Fashion designer Bryana “Bana” Bongolan filed a lawsuit on November 29, 2024, alleging Diddy threatened to kill her and dangled her over a 17th-floor balcony in 2016. Bongolan claimed to have witnessed abusive behavior by Diddy towards Cassie Ventura and alleged that Diddy later assaulted her after a sleepover at Ventura’s apartment, dangling her over the balcony during the altercation. Diddy’s representative denied these “serious allegations” as “baseless.”
December 8, 2024: Jay-Z Named in Rape Case
In a December 8, 2024, update to a lawsuit originally filed in October 2024, Jay-Z was named as a co-defendant, accused of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean Combs. Jay-Z vehemently denied the “idiotic” allegation and revealed he was the individual who had previously sued Tony Buzbee for extortion. He stated he had received a demand letter from Buzbee seeking a financial settlement but refused to pay, vowing to expose Buzbee’s alleged fraud publicly.
The timeline of allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs is extensive and deeply troubling. From the initial lawsuit by Cassie Ventura to the numerous subsequent accusations of sexual assault, sex trafficking, and related crimes, Diddy faces a legal and public relations crisis of immense proportions. As the legal proceedings continue and more accusers come forward, the question of “What Did Diddy do?” remains at the forefront, casting a long shadow over the legacy of a once-celebrated music icon.
