In November, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York federal courtroom. Her lawsuit contains graphic claims of sexual assault, bodily abuse, and an allegation that Combs, her ex-boyfriend, would pressure her to have intercourse with male intercourse staff whereas he watched. Ventura’s claims are among the many worst, however not the primary controversy that the music mogul and entrepreneur has been alleged to be concerned in.
Combs has tried to rebrand himself as “Brother Love” in recent times, even altering his center title to Love, however he has a protracted historical past of violence, courting again to the Nineties. He’s by no means been convicted of a severe crime however has repeatedly been accused of getting violent encounters with everybody from his exes Ventura and Gina Huynh (who alleged bodily abuse in 2019) to govt Steve Stoute and rappers like J. Cole and Drake.
Combs’ legal professional Ben Brafman advised the New York Instances that “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the previous six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, below the specter of writing a harmful ebook about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Regardless of withdrawing her preliminary menace, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to submitting a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s fame and searching for a payday.” The 2 reached an “amicable” settlement for an undisclosed quantity on Nov. 17.
Here’s a timeline of Combs’ controversies through the years:
CCNY Tragedy, 1991
Combs co-promoted a star basketball recreation and live performance at Metropolis School of New York the place 9 folks died and 29 folks have been injured. The fitness center had a capability of two,730 folks however as many as 5,000 folks confirmed as much as the occasion, which didn’t have sufficient safety to manage the throng. After organizers closed the doorways and stopped letting attendees in, folks exterior broke the gymnasium’s doorways and rushed the foyer, inflicting a stampede. Then-New York Metropolis Mayor David Dinkins’ administration printed a 67-page report known as “A Failure Of Accountability” that cited Combs for hiring insufficient, inexperienced safety. Combs settled a slew of lawsuits from members of the family of attendees who died on the gymnasium, finalizing the final swimsuit in 2000.
Jake Robles Capturing, 1995
Combs and Demise Row Information co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight have been as soon as pals, however the animosity that fueled the violent rivalry between Demise Row and Unhealthy Boy began as soon as Knight’s good friend (and safety guard) Jake Robles was killed exterior an Atlanta nightclub after an argument with the Unhealthy Boy camp. The lads have been celebrating musician Jermaine Dupri’s birthday at Platinum Metropolis Membership when, as then-Fulton County Sheriff Deputy Chris Howard advised police, an argument started between members of the Unhealthy Boy and Demise Row Information entourage. Howard stated that he escorted Combs and his visitors exterior to go away the membership, and thought the coast was clear to permit Knight and his entourage to go away. However, as Howard advised the Los Angeles Instances, “[Knight’s] companion was nearly able to get into the limo when abruptly Puffy’s guys got here from across the nook . . . and one among them had a gun.” Howard stated he chased the person, who handed the gun to a different particular person, who shot Robles “two or thrice.” In line with the Instances, the particular person then jumped right into a “automobile carrying Combs’ associates.” Robles died weeks later at an Atlanta hospital. Combs has denied involvement within the capturing, which Knight reportedly held him accountable for.
Attacking Steve Stoute, 1998
In 1998, Combs and two different males attacked Steve Stoute after the music govt, then Nas’ supervisor, erroneously despatched MTV a model of Combs and Nas’ “Hate Me Now” music video which contained scenes depicting Combs as Jesus Christ being crucified. Combs needed the crucifixion scene deleted from the video, and was enraged that it performed on-air. Stoute says that Combs and two males barged into his New York Metropolis workplace and attacked him with a champagne bottle. He was charged with second-degree assault and legal mischief. Stoute claims that his arm and jaw was damaged within the assault, however Combs denied any bones have been damaged to MTV, additionally telling the community, “I mainly went to his workplace, and what occurred in his workplace, I actually can’t discuss however I can say this: the best way I dealt with myself in his workplace was utterly fallacious and I’ve since apologized to Steve about that and I felt like, , I simply dissatisfied myself.” Combs was sentenced to a one-day anger administration class.
Membership New York Capturing, 1999
In late December 1999, Combs and his Unhealthy Boy signee Jamal “Shyne” Barrow have been partying at Membership New York when Diddy knocked a drink out of Matthew “Scar” Allen’s palms. Allen bought into an argument with Combs and somebody threw cash in Combs’ face. Allen additionally threatened to kill Shyne. Prosecutors allege that amid the fray, all three males drew weapons, and Shyne shot thrice within the crowded membership. Three folks have been shot. Combs, who was arrested with two nine-millimeter weapons in his automobile, was charged with 4 weapons expenses and for bribing his driver to assert that the weapons have been his personal. A witness on the trial stated she noticed each Shyne and Combs shoot their weapons, however Combs was acquitted on all expenses, whereas Shyne was discovered responsible of 5 of his eight expenses and was sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Scuffle with J. Cole, 2013
In 2013, Combs was allegedly concerned in an altercation with J. Cole at a 2013 MTV VMAs afterparty. A number of sources alleged to Advanced {that a} “visibly intoxicated” Combs accosted Kendrick Lamar about his fiery verse on Large Sean’s “Management,” the place he bragged he was “King of New York.” Combs allegedly tried to pour a drink on Kendrick earlier than Cole intervened and so they bought right into a battle. The New York Publish, nonetheless, reported that the scuffle occurred after “J. Cole was saying inappropriate issues to Sean Combs and his girlfriend, Cassie.” A witness advised them that “Some pushing and shoving occurred. No punches have been thrown, nevertheless it was a visual disturbance.” Each males instantly denied a battle befell, although Cole later rapped, “My final scrap was with Puff Daddy, who would’ve thought it?” on 2021’s “Let Go My Hand.”
Allegedly Punches Drake, 2014
In December 2014, Combs allegedly punched Drake over the rights to the beat that grew to become Drake’s “0 to 100.” The Miami New-Instances reported that the 2 bought into an argument exterior of LIV nightclub throughout DJ Khaled’s occasion for Basel Weekend. Phrases have been allegedly exchanged, and reportedly, “then blows,” with Combs telling Drake, “You’ll not disrespect me.” Combs has denied punching Drake, telling the radio present The Breakfast Membership “I didn’t do nothing to Drake, Drake is my good friend.”
Fights UCLA Coach, 2015
In June of 2015, Combs bought right into a scuffle with then-UCLA assistant soccer coach Sal Alosi. TMZ reported that Combs was current throughout a UCLA follow the place Alosi chided his son (and then-UCLA participant) Justin Combs, telling him, “I don’t care in case your dad’s right here. That is UCLA. I’m going to deal with you identical to I deal with everybody else.” After the follow, Combs and his son reportedly went to Alosi’s workplace, the place an argument ensued and Combs “grabbed” Alosi. In line with one account, Combs was forcibly faraway from Alosi’s workplace after which swung a kettlebell at an intern. A rep for Combs Enterprises famous, “The assorted accounts of the occasion and expenses which are being reported are wholly inaccurate. What we will say now’s that any actions taken by Mr. Combs have been solely defensive in nature to guard himself and his son.” The LA district legal professional determined to not file assault expenses in opposition to Combs.
Gina Huynh Alleges Abuse, 2019
In 2019 Combs’ ex Gina Huynh advised blogger Tasha Okay that Combs bodily abused her all through their five-year relationship. She claimed he as soon as stomped her on the abdomen, inflicting her to lose her breath, and likewise punched her behind the top. She advised Tasha Okay that, “He was mentally, emotionally and bodily abusing me. He would all the time evaluate me to Cassie and inform me that I’m the unhealthy one, she’s a superb one.” She additionally stated that “everybody” in Combs’ circle “allowed” the abuse to happen.
Cassie Recordsdata Civil Go well with Towards Combs, 2023
On Nov. sixteenth, Combs’ ex Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit in opposition to Combs in New York alleging years of assault. Her lawsuit accommodates graphic allegations of Combs raping her in 2018, bodily abusing her, intimidating her, and making her have intercourse with male escorts whereas he watched. The lawsuit additionally alleges that Combs blew up Cudi’s automobile to discourage him from seeing Cassie romantically — by way of a rep, Cudi stated the accusations are true. Combs has denied the allegations and alleged that Cassie tried to blackmail him for $30 million earlier than submitting the lawsuit. The 2 settled for an undisclosed quantity on Nov. 17, together with his legal professional Ben Brafman stating that “Mr. Combs‘ determination to settle the lawsuit doesn’t in any manner undermine his flat-out denial of the claims.”
Jane Doe Sues for 1991 Rape and Revenge Porn
5 days after Combs and Cassie reached a settlement, a former Syracuse College school pupil sued Combs for allegedly drugging, raping, and recording her, afterwards allegedly exhibiting others the assault he filmed. The swimsuit, which was obtained by Rolling Stone, claims that after taking the lady to dinner in Harlem in 1991, he drove her to a recording studio the place he raped her whereas, she alleged, she was in “a bodily state the place she couldn’t independently stand or stroll.” “Days later,” the swimsuit reads, “a male good friend revealed to her that he had seen the ‘intercourse tape’ together with different males.” A consultant for Combs denied the allegations, calling them a “cash seize” in an announcement to TMZ.
Diddy Faces Third Sexual Assault Go well with in One Week
Simply earlier than New York State’s Grownup Survivors Act’s Nov. 23 deadline, a second nameless accuser filed a lawsuit in opposition to Combs alleging sexual assault. (The legislation, handed in Might 2022, opened a window for folks over the age of 18 on the time of alleged sexual offenses to file lawsuits in opposition to alleged perpetrators, overriding statutes of limitations that sometimes reduce off authorized choices — advocates have requested for an extension of the act’s window or the undoing of statutes of limitations altogether.) On this swimsuit, a girl claims Diddy and singer-songwriter Aaron Corridor took turns raping her and a good friend in 1990 or 1991. She additionally alleges that days later, Diddy once more attacked her at a house the place she was staying. “He was irate and commenced assaulting and choking Jane Doe to the purpose that she handed out,” the criticism alleges. “Combs was looking for Jane Doe’s good friend as a result of he was apprehensive that she would inform the lady he was with on the time what he and Corridor had achieved to them.” (Reps for Corridor and Combs didn’t instantly return requests for touch upon Friday.)
Third Jane Doe Recordsdata Lawsuit
On Dec. 6, Jane Doe plaintiff filed a lawsuit in opposition to Combs, Daddy’s Home Recordings, and Unhealthy Boy Leisure, alleging that in 2003, when she was 17, she was gang raped by Combs, former Unhealthy Boy President Harve Pierre, and one other unidentified man at Combs’ Daddy’s Home studio in New York Metropolis. The lawsuit claims that the teenager met Pierre in Detroit and was advised Combs needed to fulfill her. She was flown in on a non-public jet to Teterboro, NJ, earlier than arriving in Manhattan. The three males allegedly plied the excessive schooler with “copious quantities of medication and alcohol.” The graphic lawsuit stated that issues started to visually “blur” for her when she was assaulted by the three males within the toilet as she drifted out and in of consciousness, had problem respiratory, and pled for them to cease. Allegedly, Combs assaulted her first after which watched the opposite two males whereas sitting in a chair exterior the toilet. The lawsuit additionally claims that after Pierre completed assaulting her, she was left within the toilet alone, the place she curled right into a fetal place with vaginal ache. As soon as she “regained her bearings,” she was taken again to an airport and flown to Detroit.
On the identical day of the lawsuit, Combs made an announcement claiming, “Sufficient is sufficient. For the final couple of weeks, I’ve sat silently and watched folks attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my fame and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made in opposition to me by people searching for a fast payday. Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged. I’ll battle for my title, my household and for the reality.”
Tiffany Crimson Writes an Open Letter Corroborating Cassie’s Allegations
On Dec. 7, Tiffany Crimson — a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who has written songs for Zendaya, Joe Jonas, Jason Derulo, and Tamar Braxton, amongst others — printed an open letter to Combs through Rolling Stone alleging that Cassie’s claims have been true.
“I’m one of many pals talked about in her lawsuit, particularly from the night time of her twenty ninth birthday, as detailed within the part labeled ‘Mr. Combs Forces Ms. Ventura Into Intercourse Trafficking,’” she wrote. Crimson detailed her first encounters with Combs and her working relationship with Cassie as a songwriter and detailed the social gathering the place she claimed Combs separated Cassie from her pals. When Cassie and Combs returned later within the night, Crimson wrote that they appeared intoxicated and that Combs was verbally abusive to each ladies, calling Crimson an “emotional singing bitch,” earlier than departing.
“She later advised me you made her have a ‘Freak Off’ — which Cassie described in her lawsuit as an ‘association’ the place you’ll make her carry out sexual acts with male intercourse staff — that night time,” Crimson wrote. “The explanation you known as me ’emotional singing bitch’ was since you have been listening to new songs we wrote through the ‘Freak Off’ that had begun after you got here to get her earlier that night time. I’m disturbed to my core by this.” Crimson wrote that she noticed events later the place Combs appeared verbally abusive to Cassie and stated that she, too, had skilled trauma because of Combs’ alleged actions.
Replace – Dec. 7, 2023, 11:17 a.m. ET: This put up was up to date to mirror Crimson’s open letter.
