In November, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit towards Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York federal court docket. Her lawsuit contains graphic claims of sexual assault, bodily abuse, and an allegation that Combs, her ex-boyfriend, would power her to have intercourse with male intercourse employees 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 chronic historical past of violence, relationship 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 government Steve Stoute and rappers like J. Cole and Drake.
Combs’ lawyer Ben Brafman informed 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, beneath the specter of writing a dangerous e book 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 repute and looking 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 Faculty of New York the place 9 folks died and 29 folks have been injured. The gymnasium 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 regulate the throng. After organizers closed the doorways and stopped letting attendees in, folks outdoors broke the gymnasium’s doorways and rushed the foyer, inflicting a stampede. Then-New York Metropolis Mayor David Dinkins’ administration revealed a 67-page report referred to 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 Taking pictures, 1995
Combs and Dying Row Data co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight have been as soon as associates, however the animosity that fueled the violent rivalry between Dying Row and Dangerous Boy began as soon as Knight’s good friend (and safety guard) Jake Robles was killed outdoors an Atlanta nightclub after an argument with the Dangerous Boy camp. The boys have been celebrating musician Jermaine Dupri’s birthday at Platinum Metropolis Membership when, as then-Fulton County Sheriff Deputy Chris Howard informed police, an argument started between members of the Dangerous Boy and Dying Row Data entourage. Howard mentioned that he escorted Combs and his friends outdoors to go away the membership, and thought the coast was clear to permit Knight and his entourage to go away. However, as Howard informed the Los Angeles Instances, “[Knight’s] companion was nearly able to get into the limo when impulsively Puffy’s guys got here from across the nook . . . and one in every of them had a gun.” Howard mentioned he chased the person, who handed the gun to a different particular person, who shot Robles “two or 3 times.” In keeping 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 chargeable for.
Attacking Steve Stoute, 1998
In 1998, Combs and two different males attacked Steve Stoute after the music government, 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 wished 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 prison 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 principally 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 incorrect and I’ve since apologized to Steve about that and I felt like, you recognize, I simply disenchanted myself.” Combs was sentenced to a one-day anger administration class.
Membership New York Taking pictures, 1999
In late December 1999, Combs and his Dangerous Boy signee Jamal “Shyne” Barrow have been partying at Membership New York when Diddy knocked a drink out of Matthew “Scar” Allen’s arms. Allen acquired 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 3 times 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 say that the weapons have been his personal. A witness on the trial mentioned 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 Complicated {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 acquired right into a struggle. The New York Publish, nevertheless, reported that the scuffle occurred after “J. Cole was saying inappropriate issues to Sean Combs and his girlfriend, Cassie.” A witness informed them that “Some pushing and shoving occurred. No punches have been thrown, but it surely was a visual disturbance.” Each males instantly denied a struggle occurred, 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 “zero to 100.” The Miami New-Instances reported that the 2 acquired into an argument outdoors 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 acquired right into a scuffle with then-UCLA assistant soccer coach Sal Alosi. TMZ reported that Combs was current throughout a UCLA observe 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 observe, Combs and his son reportedly went to Alosi’s workplace, the place an argument ensued and Combs “grabbed” Alosi. In keeping 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 are able to 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 lawyer determined to not file assault expenses towards Combs.
Gina Huynh Alleges Abuse, 2019
In 2019 Combs’ ex Gina Huynh informed blogger Tasha Ok 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 in addition punched her behind the pinnacle. She informed Tasha Ok that, “He was mentally, emotionally and bodily abusing me. He would all the time examine me to Cassie and inform me that I’m the unhealthy one, she’s a very good one.” She additionally mentioned that “everybody” in Combs’ circle “allowed” the abuse to happen.
Cassie Information Civil Swimsuit In opposition to Combs, 2023
On Nov. 16th, Combs’ ex Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit towards 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 mentioned 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, along with his lawyer Ben Brafman stating that “Mr. Combs‘ choice to settle the lawsuit doesn’t in any means 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 scholar 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 girl 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 considered the ‘intercourse tape’ together with different males.” A consultant for Combs denied the allegations, calling them a “cash seize” in a press release to TMZ.
Diddy Faces Third Sexual Assault Swimsuit in One Week
Simply earlier than New York State’s Grownup Survivors Act’s Nov. 23 deadline, a second nameless accuser filed a lawsuit towards Combs alleging sexual assault. (The regulation, handed in Might 2022, opened a window for folks over the age of 18 on the time of alleged sexual offenses to file lawsuits towards alleged perpetrators, overriding statutes of limitations that sometimes lower 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 started assaulting and choking Jane Doe to the purpose that she handed out,” the criticism alleges. “Combs was trying to find Jane Doe’s good friend as a result of he was anxious that she would inform the lady he was with on the time what he and Corridor had performed to them.” (Reps for Corridor and Combs didn’t instantly return requests for touch upon Friday.)
Third Jane Doe Information Lawsuit
On Dec. 6, Jane Doe plaintiff filed a lawsuit towards Combs, Daddy’s Home Recordings, and Dangerous Boy Leisure, alleging that in 2003, when she was 17, she was gang raped by Combs, former Dangerous 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 informed Combs wished to satisfy 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 medicine and alcohol.” The graphic lawsuit mentioned that issues started to visually “blur” for her when she was assaulted by the three males within the lavatory as she drifted out and in of consciousness, had problem respiration, and pled for them to cease. Allegedly, Combs assaulted her first after which watched the opposite two males whereas sitting in a chair outdoors the toilet. The lawsuit additionally claims that after Pierre completed assaulting her, she was left within the lavatory 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 a press release claiming, “Sufficient is sufficient. For the final couple of weeks, I’ve sat silently and watched folks attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my repute and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made towards 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 struggle 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 — revealed an open letter to Combs through Rolling Stone alleging that Cassie’s claims have been true.
“I’m one of many associates talked about in her lawsuit, particularly from the evening of her 29th 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 associates. When Cassie and Combs returned later within the night, Crimson wrote that they appeared intoxicated and that Combs was verbally abusive to each girls, calling Crimson an “emotional singing bitch,” earlier than departing.
“She later informed me you made her have a ‘Freak Off’ — which Cassie described in her lawsuit as an ‘association’ the place you’d make her carry out sexual acts with male intercourse employees — that evening,” Crimson wrote. “The rationale you referred to as me ’emotional singing bitch’ was since you have been listening to new songs we wrote throughout the ‘Freak Off’ that had begun after you got here to get her earlier that evening. I’m disturbed to my core by this.” Crimson wrote that she noticed events later the place Combs appeared verbally abusive to Cassie and mentioned 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.