For thirty years, Sean “Diddy” Combs has been a dominant force in music, fashion, and pop culture, building a global empire that has made him one of the most recognizable figures in the entertainment world. Yet, he has been dogged by disturbing accusations of sexual misconduct in tandem with his meteoric rise. Gina Huynh, the first of Sean “Diddy” Combs accusers, spoke out in 2019 but was disbelieved. However, the tide began to turn when Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023.
Trigger warning: this article discusses sensitive topics.
An ever-increasing number of people are coming forward with shocking allegations, many of which follow a similar pattern: being drugged and sexually assaulted by Comb. The victims of his alleged predation include both men and women from diverse ethnic backgrounds. If their claims are true, it suggests that there was no limit to Combs’ abuse of power. Moreover, the silencing of the victims over the past three decades speaks to larger systemic issues that contribute to protects the powerful from accountability for sex crimes. These issues include societal attitudes, legal barriers and intimidation that are components of rape culture.
1. Gina Huynh (a.k.a Virginia V)
In 2019, Gina Huynh, also known as Virginia V, went public with allegations that her former partner Sean “Diddy” Combs was a batterer. She claimed that Diddy grabbed her by the hair, stomped on her stomach and punched her in the head during their five-year relationship.
Huynh told YouTuber Tasha K:
“He stomped on my stomach really hard — like, took the wind out of my breath […] I couldn’t breathe. He kept hitting me. I was pleading to him, ‘Can you just stop? I can’t breathe.’”
According to Huynh, she had an on-again-off-again relationship with Combs while he was in a relationship with Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura. She says that Combs would psychologically abuse, devaluing her when her skin was blemished and triangulating her with Cassie.
“He was mentally, emotionally and physically abusing me. He would always compare me to Cassie and tell me that I’m the bad one, she’s a good one.”
She says that the people in Combs orbit were aware of his abusive nature and enabled his aggression. She also claims that Combs offered her $5,000 to abort their baby when she had become pregnant.
Huynh went on to date Chris Brown after her relationship with Combs ended.
2. Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura
In November 23, 2024, singer Cassie (born Cassandra Ventura) filed a federal lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of sexual assault, years of physical and psycho-emotional abuse, and exploitation during their decade-long relationship. According to the suit, the abuse began shortly after they met in 2005 when she was 19. Cassie alleges that Combs exerted control over her by supplying drugs, assaulting her, and coercing her into sexual acts with male prostitutes while he filmed the encounters.
One of the most disturbing claims in the lawsuit is that in 2018, near the end of their relationship, Combs forced his way into her apartment and raped her. Throughout the years, she says, Combs became increasingly violent, at one point threatening her then-boyfriend, rapper Kid Cudi, by allegedly blowing up his car. Cassie also details incidents where she attempted to escape Combs’ control, including one event in 2016 where, after a violent altercation at a Los Angeles hotel, Combs paid $50,000 to obtain security footage of the incident.
The lawsuit, filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, seeks unspecified damages and comes as part of a wave of lawsuits by women accusing powerful men in the entertainment industry of sexual misconduct. Combs has denied all allegations, calling them baseless and an attempt to extort money.
Combs and his legal team settled the lawsuit within twenty four hours.
3. Joi Dickerson-Neal
Joi Dickerson-Neal filed lawsuit against Sean “Diddy Combs on November 23, 2023. She alleges that he drugged and raped her when she went on a date with him in January 1991. Dickerson-Neal also claims that Combs subsequently circulated video footage of the event among their peers. According to her lawsuit, the revenge porn was viewed by DeVanté Swing of Jodeci, who told her that “everyone” in their social circle had seen the footage of her alleged rape.
Dickerson-Neal claims she filed two police reports in New York and New Jersey shortly after the alleged assault. However, her lawsuit states that people within their mutual social circle were so intimidated by Combs that no one was willing to testify as a witness. She claims that the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of Comb left her physically, psychologically, and socially devastated, destroying the life she had been building.
4. Liza Gardner
On December 1, 2023 Liza Gardner was the third person to file a historical sexual lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs under the New York State Adult Survivors Act. According to her lawsuit, Gardner was just 16 when DeVanté Swing of Jodeci, an R&B band Combs was developing at the time, transported her from North Carolina to New York in 1990. Swing took Gardner and her friend Mona Case to a party at singer Aaron Hall’s residence in New Jersey.
Gardner alleges that Swing aided and abetted Combs and Hall in their sexual assault on her and Case. Her lawsuit claims that Combs and Hall took turns raping her while she was intoxicated and incapacitated. Gardner asserts that Devanté Swing was present and witnessed Combs allegedly removing her undergarments and “forcefully” raping her.
The lawsuit goes on to state that as Gardner attempted to dress after being assaulted by Combs, Hall allegedly “barged into the room, pinned her down, and forced Liza Gardner to have sex with him.”
Garden allegedly fled from Hall’s home to escape the men. But, according to her lawsuit, her nightmare was not yet over. She claims that the day after the alleged rapes, Combs came to her residence and further terrorized her by allegedly choking her until she lost consciousness.
In her amended lawsuit, Gardner has named Swing as a codefendant for enabling Combs and Hall’s alleged sexual assault of her and her friend.
5. Mona Case
Mona Case went on record in May 2024, detailing the abuse she allegedly witnessed and endured at the hands of Sean “Diddy” Combs, Aaron Hall, and DeVanté Swing in 1990.
According to her statement, Case alleges that she and her friend Liza Gardner were transported from their homes in North Carolina to New York by Swing. She claims that Swing took her and Gardner to a party at Hall’s home in New Jersey, where the situation allegedly turned into a nightmare.
Case alleges that she saw Swing, “leaning against the wall or furniture or something, watching whatever Puffy was doing to Liza.”
She alleges in her statement that she began to protest after seeing Swing and Combs in the same room as Gardner. She claims that when she threatened to call the police, Swing grabbed her and forced her upstairs.
According to Gardner’s amended lawsuit, Combs and Hall took turns assaulting her and Gardner. While Case has provided a statement in support of Gardner’s case, she has yet to file her own lawsuit against Combs, Hall, and Swing.
6. Lil Rod
On February 26, 2024, Rodney Jones Jr., also known as Lil Rod, filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs in federal court, alleging sexual misconduct and exploitation while he worked on Combs’ 2023 album, The Love Album: Off the Grid. According to Jones, who produced several tracks on the album, Combs groped him without consent and attempted to groom him into engaging in sexual acts with other men, suggesting such behavior was “normal” in the music industry.
Jones also alleges that at a July 2023 listening party at Combs’ California home, he was forced to drink drug-laced tequila, after which he passed out and awoke naked beside a sex worker. The lawsuit further accuses Combs of coercing Jones into procuring sex workers and performing sexual acts, offering money and threatening violence to manipulate him.
In response, Combs’ lawyer, Shawn Holley, has strongly denied the allegations, labeling Jones a liar seeking a financial payout. The lawsuit seeks $30 million in damages. Universal Music Group and other executives are also named as defendants, with the suit claiming Combs maintained control over Jones through promises of career advancement.
7. Crystal McKinney
On May 21, 2024, Crystal McKinney filed a complaint against Sean “Diddy” Combs, Bad Boy Entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG), Sean John Clothing, and Daddy’s House Recordings, accusing Combs of sexual assault and exploitation. The lawsuit recounts an encounter from 2003, when McKinney, a 22-year-old model, was introduced to Combs at a Sean John fashion show in New York City. According to McKinney, Combs expressed an interest in helping her career and invited her to a recording studio later that night.
What began as a professional connection quickly shifted. At the studio, McKinney alleges that Combs and several men were smoking marijuana and drinking. She claims that after taking a hit from a joint—which she later believed was laced with another substance—Combs pressured her to keep smoking and drinking. As her state of intoxication worsened, McKinney recalls being led to a bathroom by Combs, where she was forced to perform oral sex on him. Afterward, she lost consciousness and later woke up in a taxi headed to a designer’s apartment.
The impact of the alleged assault has reverberated through McKinney’s life for years. According to the lawsuit, she suffered from severe depression in the aftermath and believes Combs used his influence to “blackball” her in the industry, leading to the unraveling of her modeling career. The long-term emotional toll, McKinney says, has been significant, as she continues to deal with the psychological effects of the incident.
According to McKinney’s lawsuit:
“Combs’ assault has altered the trajectory of her career. To this day, she faces bouts of depression, anxiety, body image issues, feelings of worthlessness and intimacy issues because of Combs’ assault.”
The charges against UMG Recordings have since been dismissed.
8. April Lampros
In May 23, 2024, April Lampros filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, Bad Boy Entertainment, Arista Records, and 10 unnamed codefendants accusing the music mogul of sexual assault and years of manipulation. Lampros claims that she and Combs meet in 1994 when she was a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Combs allegedly offered to be her mentor and help her succeed in her career. However, she claims that what began as a professional relationship became intimate after Combs “love bombed” her and made her promise to keep their relationship secret. At the time, Combs was in a relationship with fashion stylist Misa Hilton-Brim and had just welcomed his first son, Justin.
After Lampros was securely in Combs orbit, it outlines four instances in which he allegedly assaulted Lampros, including a particularly disturbing incident involving Combs’ then-girlfriend, Kim Porter. Lampros claims Combs forced both women to take ecstasy and engage in sexual acts as he watched, before sexually assaulting Lampros. As the relationship became increasingly abusive, Lampros sought tried to exit, but Combs’ control remained ongoing. She alleges he repeatedly contacted her, using threats—both physical and professional—to maintain his dominance. She also alleges that Combs transported her to Atlanta and Florida.
After their relationship ended. Lampros was told by an acquaintance that a video existed—recorded without her consent—showing her and Combs having sex.
9. Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith
Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, an inmate currently serving time in Michigan, has filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that the music mogul drugged and sexually assaulted him at a Detroit party in 1997. According to Cardello-Smith, the two crossed paths when he worked in the Detroit hospitality industry. He claims that he has evidence that Combs visited him in the penitentiary on multiple occasions and offered him $2.3 million to drop the lawsuit.
In September 2024, a $100 million default judgment was temporarily granted in Cardello-Smith’s favor after Combs and his legal team failed to appear in court. However, the judgment was later set aside due to improper service of the lawsuit. Combs has denied the allegations.
10. Adria English
Adria English has filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of drugging and trafficking her for sex at his infamous White Parties in the 2000s. English, who worked as a dancer, alleges she was coerced into attending these events after her then-boyfriend was promised modeling opportunities through Combs’ company, Sean John.
English claims she was forced to drink, take drugs, and then was sexually assaulted multiple times between 2004 and 2009. Combs has firmly denied the allegations, calling them baseless, while English is currently seeking new legal representation after a fallout with her original attorneys.
In a subsequent interview with The Daily Mail, English made the following claims:
“I saw Busta Rhymes there. I saw Ja Rule there. I saw Diana Ross there with her son, Evan, who was underage. I saw Paris Hilton and Reverend Al Sharpton. I still wonder why Reverend Al Sharpton was there.”
Sean John Clothing, Combs Global Enterprises, Tamiko Thomas, Jacob Arabov aka “Jacob The Jeweler,” VIBE magazine, Penske Media Corporation and several anonymous parties are named as codefendants in her lawsuit.
Combs legal team calls English’s lawsuit “baseless” and vehemently denies all wrongdoing. According to a spokesman for Combs:
“Less than three months after filing her lawsuit, Adria English was dropped by both of her attorneys after making completely fabricated statements […] No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone.”
11. Dawn Richard
Dawn Richard, former member of the girl group Danity Kane, has filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of sexual assault and battery. Richard, who rose to fame on MTV’s Making the Band 3 under Combs’ mentorship, alleges that she witnessed Combs repeatedly assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, including incidents of choking, striking, and throwing objects at her. Richard claims that when she attempted to intervene and support Ventura in leaving Combs, he became enraged, threatening Richard’s life with violent and intimidating statements.
The lawsuit, filed on September 10, 2024, goes beyond these allegations of abuse, detailing how Combs allegedly exploited Richard throughout her career. She accuses him of withholding her earnings, stealing her copyrighted work, and subjecting her to dehumanizing working conditions during her time with Danity Kane. The lawsuit also highlights her experience during the Making the Band series, where Combs allegedly deprived Richard and her bandmates of basic necessities such as food and sleep. According to the complaint, when the group requested breaks, Combs would respond with derogatory remarks, pressuring them to work harder.
Harve Pierre, Remote Productions, Bad Boy Entertainment, Daddy’s House Recording Studio and several other music, publishing and finance corporations associated with Combs are named as codefendants in the lawsuit.
In response to the lawsuit, Combs has denied the claims, calling them “false” through a statement issued by his attorney. Richard’s accusations are the latest in a series of lawsuits against Combs, who is facing mounting legal challenges regarding allegations of misconduct and abuse spanning decades.
12. Thalia Graves
On September 24, Thalia Graves filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs and his former bodyguard Joseph “Big Joe” Sherman detailing an alleged gang rape that took place in the summer of 2001. According to the complaint, Combs initially contacted Graves under the pretense of discussing her boyfriend’s performance at his label. What started as a professional meeting quickly turned sinister.
According to the lawsuit, Graves, then 25, claims she was assaulted by Combs and Sherman, while dating a record producer who worked at Bad Boy Entertainment. According to Graves, the two men used her relationship with her then-partner to lure her to a recording studio under the guise of discussing her partner’s work. Combs allegedly offered her a drink that she believes was drugged. Graves says she lost consciousness and awoke to find herself bound and restrained, after which Combs and Sherman allegedly took turns raping her.
Graves explains that she did not report the assault at the time, fearing retaliation from Combs. Her boyfriend also discouraged her from going to the authorities, worried it could damage his career in the music industry. More than two decades later, in November 2023, Graves alleges she learned that the attack had been recorded by Combs and Sherman, and that the video had been shown to others as a means of humiliating both her and her then-boyfriend. Gene Deal, another former bodyguard of Combs, claims he was informed about the existence of the revenge porn video.
The lawsuit filed by Graves details the severe emotional and psychological toll the assault and subsequent discovery of the recording have had on her life.
Graves shared the following statement about the alleged sexual assault has impacted her life:
“It’s a pain that reaches into your very core of who you are […] The combination of physical and emotional pain has created a cycle of suffering from which it is so hard to break free.”
Combs legal team denies any wrongdoing. Sherman claims that he has never met Thalia Graves and denies any wrongdoing. Graves’ attorney Gloria Allred hit back by stating that the lawsuit speaks for itself and her client is looking forward to having her day in court.
13. Jane Doe #1
On September 27, a woman who chose to remain anonymous filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs claiming that he drugged, sexually assaulted, and continued to harass and intimidate her over a four-year period. According to court documents, the woman alleges that her encounters with Combs began in the fall of 2020 when he invited her on an all-expenses-paid trip.
She claims that Combs spiked her drinks and repeatedly assaulted her during this time. She alleges that one of these assaults resulted in her pregnancy, but she suffered a miscarriage.
The woman also accuses Combs of forcing her to take ketamine and other drugs, which led to her blacking out. She claims that after the miscarriage, Combs continued to harass her with calls and texts, attempting to control and intimidate her. The woman says Combs’ behavior caused her to fear for her safety as she had witnessed Combs’ violent behavior towards other women.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages for the trauma, financial injury, and physical injury the woman claims to have suffered.
14. Jane Doe #2
Jane Doe #2 accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit filed on October 14, 2024. The alleged incident occurred in 2004 when she was 19 years old at a Manhattan Marriott hotel.
According to her claim, she was introduced to Combs at a photoshoot. He invited her and a friend to an exclusive party at his hotel suite. Upon arriving at the hotel, she alleges that she and her friend were “grabbed” by a man and escorted to a bedroom where Combs awaited them.
She claims the man told them:
“You know what you are here for.”
The door was allegedly locked once the women were in the bedroom with Combs. The lawsuit says that Combs became “aggressive” and “eventually began forcibly touch them without consent.”
Combs allegedly coerced Jane Doe #2’s friend to perform oral sex on him, telling her that if she did not obey him “he would have them both killed.”
The lawsuit claims that he coerced Jane Doe to undress and “fondled, molested, and ultimately raped Ms. Doe, all while she was begging him to stop.”
Jane Doe #2 is represented by Tony Buzbee. Combs legal team has dismissed her lawsuit with the following statement:
“Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone — adult or minor, man or woman.”
John Doe #1
According to John Doe #1’s lawsuit, he claims that he was drugged and raped by Sean “Diddy” Combs and several other men at a party in New York back in 2021.
Doe #1 recalls becoming disoriented after drinking, and while trying to leave in confusion, he heard a man’s voice saying, “hold on, I’ll help you.” Moments later, he found himself in a bedroom, unable to move or speak.
“Multiple men began to sexually assault him through sodomy and other forced acts. He distinctly recalls seeing Combs above him, naked, at one point during the assault. [He] was sodomized by at least three men.”
John Doe #1 is represented by Tony Buzbee.
Summary
On September 16, 2024, Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested and charged in a three count indictment with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Since his arrest, Tony Buzbee announce that an additional 120 civil lawsuits are in the process of being filed against Combs. They all follow the same pattern of behavior: non-consensual use of controlled substances, followed by non-consensual sex, and the circulation of “video”revenge porn” recordings. Half of the victims are men and other half are women. Twenty five of the victims were minors at the time of Combs’ alleged assaults.
The mounting allegations against Combs have transformed his legacy, reminding us that even admired and talented people can possess a dark side. Indeed, it is possible for someone to harm some while simultaneously entertaining and charming others. When we deny this reality, we create opportunities for predator personalities to exploit and abuse vulnerable people.
Rape is a crime against humanity that should never be excused, justified, or tolerated. As the legal process unfolds and Sean “Diddy” Combs’ accusers seek justice despite stigma and intense scrutiny, we must reflect on what needs to change to dismantle the systems that enable perpetrators of such crimes.
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Photos by Deposit Photos. Screen Captures via Instagram, Michigan Department of Correction, and YouTube.
