Editing Sean Combs (section)

==Legal issues==
In 1997, Combs was sued for landlord negligence by {{ill|Inge Bongo|fr|Inge Lynn Collins Bongo}}; Combs denied the charges.<ref name="People Silverman September 25, 1997" /> On April 15, 1999, shortly after the music video for Nas' "Hate Me Now" aired on MTV featuring Combs being crucified, he and two others burst into Nas' former manager, Steve Stoute's office and attacked him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 1999 |title=Music Executive Recounts Day of Altercation With Rapper Combs |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-21-fi-39384-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118012040/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-21-fi-39384-story.html |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=May 21, 1999 |title=Record Executive Says 'Puffy' Combs Aimed To Kill Him |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/8wlsgn/record-executive-says-puffy-combs-aimed-to-kill-him |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018215138/http://www.mtv.com/news/514342/record-executive-says-puffy-combs-aimed-to-kill-him/ |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |publisher=Sonicnet}}</ref> Stoute sued Combs in June 1999, resulting in Combs paying him an out-of-court settlement of $500,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1999 |title=Puff Settles With Beaten Exec |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/1999/06/17/puffy-settles-with-beaten-exec/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118012957/https://www.nydailynews.com/1999/06/17/puffy-settles-with-beaten-exec/ |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=New York Daily News}}</ref> Originally charged with assault for the event, Combs pleaded guilty on September 8, 1999, to a charge of harassment, and was sentenced to spend one day in an anger management class.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Philips |first=Chuck |date=September 9, 1999 |title=Rapper 'Puff Daddy' to Attend One-Day Class After Guilty Plea|url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/142359440/|access-date=September 20, 2024|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Christopher |date=September 8, 1999 |title=Puff Daddy Pleads Guilty To Reduced Charge In 'Hate Me Now' Case |url=http://www.sonicnet.com/news/archive/story.jhtml;$sessionid$F33N2EAAAGNZ1UID1AKCFEQ?id=517237  |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000115103917/http://www.sonicnet.com/news/archive/story.jhtml;$sessionid$F33N2EAAAGNZ1UID1AKCFEQ?id=517237 |archive-date=January 15, 2000 |access-date=September 20, 2024|publisher=Sonicnet}}</ref>

On December 27, 1999, Combs, his then-girlfriend [[Jennifer Lopez]], and his protégé rapper [[Shyne]] were at Club New York in [[Times Square]] in Manhattan when gunfire occurred.<ref name="Rohde-2000">{{Cite news |last=Rohde |first=David |date=February 11, 2000 |title=Combs Caused Club Shooting, Prosecutor Says in Court |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/11/nyregion/combs-caused-club-shooting-prosecutor-says-in-court.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092538/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/11/nyregion/combs-caused-club-shooting-prosecutor-says-in-court.html |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |access-date=December 16, 2022 |work=The New York Times |via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Purnick |first=Joyce |date=March 8, 2001 |title=Metro Matters; In Reality, Combs Trial Is No Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/nyregion/metro-matters-in-reality-combs-trial-is-no-show.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092535/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/nyregion/metro-matters-in-reality-combs-trial-is-no-show.html |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |access-date=December 16, 2022 |work=The New York Times |via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> A prosecutor said that the incident was sparked by an argument at the club between Combs and another patron.<ref name="Rohde-2000" /> After a police investigation, Combs and Shyne were arrested for weapons violations and other charges.<ref name="NYT Rashbaum December 28, 1999" /> Combs was charged with four weapons-related crimes and with bribing his driver, Wardel Fenderson, to claim ownership of his gun.<ref name="NYT Finkelstein Filkins March 15, 2001" /> With a [[gag order]] in place, the highly publicized trial began.<ref name="NYT Finkelstein Filkins March 15, 2001" /> Combs's attorneys were [[Johnnie Cochran|Johnnie L. Cochran Jr.]] and [[Benjamin Brafman]].<ref name="NYT Finkelstein March 17, 2001" /> Combs was found not guilty on all charges. Shyne was convicted on five of his eight charges<ref name="NYT Finkelstein March 17, 2001" /> and sentenced to ten years in prison. Combs and Lopez broke up shortly after. A lawsuit filed by Fenderson, who said he suffered emotional damage after the shooting, was settled in February 2004. Lawyers for both sides, having agreed to keep the settlement terms secret, said the matter had been "resolved to the satisfaction of all parties".<ref name="People Silverman February 4, 2004" />

In 2001, Combs was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Florida.<ref name="NYT April 16, 2001" />

In 2003, the [[National Labor Committee]] revealed that factories producing the Sean John clothing brand in [[Honduras]] were violating Honduran labor laws.<ref name="NYT PDF October 2003" /> Accusations were that workers were subjected to body searches and involuntary pregnancy tests, bathrooms were locked and access tightly controlled, and employees were forced to work overtime and received [[sweatshop]] wages.<ref name="Democracynow December 2003" /> [[Charles Kernaghan]] of the National Labor Committee told ''The New York Times'' that, "Sean Puff Daddy obviously has a lot of clout, he can literally do a lot overnight to help these workers."<ref name="NYT PDF October 2003" /> Combs responded with an extensive investigation, telling reporters, "I'm as pro-worker as they get."<ref name="BBC October 2003" /> In February 2004, Kernaghan announced that improvements had been implemented at the factory, including adding air conditioning and water purification systems, firing the most abusive supervisors, and allowing the formation of a labor union.<ref name="NLCnet December 2003" />

Also in 2003, Kirk Burrowes sued Combs, claiming that Combs had forced him to give up his shares in Bad Boy Records through threats of violence. In 2006, the case was dismissed because the [[Statute of limitations in the United States|statute of limitations]] had expired.<ref name="BBC 2024"/>

In 2005, an assault charge against Combs filed by Michigan television host [[Rogelio Mills]] was resolved in Combs's favor.<ref name="contactmusic August 2005" />

Later in 2005, [[London]]-based musical artist and DJ [[Diddy (DJ)|Richard Dearlove]], who had been performing under the name "Diddy" since 1992—nine years before Combs started using even "P. Diddy"—sought an injunction in the [[High Court of Justice]] in London. He accepted an out-of-court settlement of £10,000 in damages and more than £100,000 in [[Costs (English law)|costs]]. Combs can no longer use the name Diddy in the UK, where he is still known as P. Diddy.<ref name="Guardian September 2009" /><ref name="BBC News September 2006" />

In 2007, Gerard Rechnitzer sued Combs for battery, claiming Combs had punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub.<ref name="2007lawsuit">{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2007 |title="Diddy" Combs sued for battery outside nightclub |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-combs/diddy-combs-sued-for-battery-outside-nightclub-idUSN0532972020070306/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118003612/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-combs/diddy-combs-sued-for-battery-outside-nightclub-idUSN0532972020070306/ |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Rechnitzer claimed he was attacked after he approached Combs while the rap mogul was talking to his girlfriend.<ref name="2007lawsuit" /> Combs settled the lawsuit on undisclosed terms in March 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 24, 2008 |title=Diddy Settles Party Punch-Out Lawsuit |url=https://www.tmz.com/2008/03/24/diddy-settles-punch-out-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509160235/http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/24/diddy-settles-punch-out-lawsuit/ |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=November 17, 2008 |publisher=TMZ}}</ref>

In 2009, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' claimed that the Notorious B.I.G. and Combs orchestrated the [[Tupac Shakur#1994 Quad Studios shooting|1994 robbery and shooting of Tupac]], substantiating the claim with supposed FBI documents. The newspaper later retracted the story, acknowledging that the documents had been fabricated.<ref name="LATimes April 2008" /> In 2012, Dexter Isaac, an associate of record management executive [[Jimmy Henchman]], confessed that he had shot Tupac on Henchman's orders.<ref name="Baltimore Sun 2012" /><ref name="Philips 2012" />

In 2015, Combs was arrested for aggravated assault after an altercation with his son's football coach at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trahan |first=Kevin |date=June 22, 2015 |title=Diddy arrested for alleged fight with UCLA coach |url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/6/22/8826861/p-diddy-arrested-ucla-fight-football-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214173425/https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/6/22/8826861/p-diddy-arrested-ucla-fight-football-coach |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=SBNation.com}}</ref> On July 2, 2015, the assault charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2015 |title=P. Diddy Avoids Felony Charges Over UCLA Arrest |url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/sean-p-diddy-combs-ucla-arrest-1201533614/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214173425/https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/sean-p-diddy-combs-ucla-arrest-1201533614/ |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Variety}}</ref>

In 2021, Combs filed a $60&nbsp;million lawsuit against the new owners of Sean John, claiming the firm used his likeness without his permission and fabricated quotes endorsing their new product line.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mahadevan |first=tara |title=Diddy Accuses Sean John of Stealing His Image in $25 Million Lawsuit |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/diddy-sean-john-lawsuit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214173424/https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/diddy-sean-john-lawsuit |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Complex}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Diddy Files $25 Million USD Lawsuit Against Sean John |url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/2/diddy-sues-sean-john-clothing-company-global-brands-group-usa-25-million-usd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214173424/https://hypebeast.com/2021/2/diddy-sues-sean-john-clothing-company-global-brands-group-usa-25-million-usd |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref> In 2023, Combs filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against [[Diageo]], claiming that the spirits company deliberately "knee-capped" the marketing and sales of his Cîroc vodka and DeLéon tequila labels. In January 2024, Combs voluntarily withdrew the lawsuit [[Prejudice (legal term)|with prejudice]], and also severed the business relationship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saad |first=Nardine |date=January 16, 2024 |title=Diddy 'voluntarily dismisses' racial discrimination lawsuit against liquor giant Diageo |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-01-16/diddy-withdraws-diageo-lawsuit-racial-discrimination-ciroc-deleon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118024200/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-01-16/diddy-withdraws-diageo-lawsuit-racial-discrimination-ciroc-deleon |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

On March 4, 2024, music producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, who was already suing Combs for sexual assault, filed a lawsuit against Combs and his son Justin, alleging that they engaged in a "massive" cover-up of their involvement in the shooting of a 30-year-old man at a "writers and producers camp" that was held at Combs's Chalice Recording Studio in Los Angeles in September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dasrath |first1=Diana |last2=Blankstein |first2=Andrew |last3=Cohen |first3=Rebecca |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Producer alleges in new complaint that Sean 'Diddy' Combs was involved in shooting at recording studio |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/producer-alleges-new-complaint-sean-diddy-combs-was-involved-shooting-rcna141529 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305022057/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/producer-alleges-new-complaint-sean-diddy-combs-was-involved-shooting-rcna141529 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=March 5, 2024 |publisher=NBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Taylor S. |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Producer Lil Rod Accuses Diddy, Diddy's Son Of 'Massive' Cover-Up In Studio Shooting |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/producer-lil-rod-recording-studio-shooting-new-complaint_n_65e6320ce4b0f890593397ec |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305030104/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/producer-lil-rod-recording-studio-shooting-new-complaint_n_65e6320ce4b0f890593397ec |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=March 5, 2024 |publisher=Huffington Post}}</ref>

On March 25, 2024, former Syracuse University basketball player and Combs associate Brendan Paul was arrested at the [[Opa Locka Airport]] in [[Miami-Dade County, Florida]], on two charges of cocaine and controlled substance possession; he was released the next day after posting a $2,500 bond.<ref name=paulcombs /> Lil Rod has accused Paul of being Combs's "drug mule" in court documents.<ref name=paulcombs>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/former-syracuse-basketball-player-arrested-accused-of-being-drug-mule-for-rapper-diddy-020255058.html|title=Former Syracuse basketball player arrested, accused of being 'drug mule' for rapper Diddy|first=Callie|last=Lawson-Freeman|publisher=Yahoo Sports|date=March 27, 2024|accessdate=March 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name=lilrodandmore>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/03/27/sean-diddy-combs-brendan-paul-arrest-yung-miami/73116840007/|title=Ex-Diddy associate alleges arrested Brendan Paul was mogul's drug 'mule,' Yung Miami was sex worker|first=Naledi|last=Ushe|publisher=USA Today|date=March 27, 2024|accessdate=March 27, 2024}}</ref>

=== Lawsuits ===
{{Main|Sean Combs sexual misconduct allegations}}
In May 2017, Cindy Rueda, who previously had served as Combs's personal chef, filed a lawsuit against Combs in the [[Los Angeles County Superior Court]], claiming, among other things, [[sexual harassment]] and retaliation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cullins |first=Ashley |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sued by Ex-Chef for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sean-diddy-combs-sued-by-chef-sexual-harassment-retaliation-1001540/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118005313/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sean-diddy-combs-sued-by-chef-sexual-harassment-retaliation-1001540/ |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref name=retaliation>{{cite web |url=https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/retaliation|title=Retaliation|publisher=[[United States Department of Labor]] |access-date=October 10, 2024}}</ref> The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount in February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 20, 2009 |title=Diddy's Former Personal Chef Settles Work Claims Suit With Rapper |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/diddys-former-personal-chef-settles-work-claims-suit/3343/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118005312/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/diddys-former-personal-chef-settles-work-claims-suit/3343/ |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=NBC Los Angeles}}</ref>

[[Cassie Ventura]], with whom Combs had a long-term relationship, filed a lawsuit against him on November 16, 2023, accusing him of rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse.<ref name="cassielawsuit">{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Sean Combs Is Accused by Cassie of Rape and Years of Abuse in Lawsuit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/arts/music/sean-combs-diddy-cassie-rape-lawsuit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116211433/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/arts/music/sean-combs-diddy-cassie-rape-lawsuit.html |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times |type=Digital |no-pp=y}}</ref> The lawsuit also suggested that Combs was responsible for blowing up Ventura's then-boyfriend [[Kid Cudi]]'s car.<ref name="cassielawsuit" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Sean Combs Accused of Rape by Singer Cassie in New Lawsuit |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sean-combs-cassie-abuse-allegations-lawsuit-1234883581/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117003652/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sean-combs-cassie-abuse-allegations-lawsuit-1234883581/ |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Combs and Ventura reached an undisclosed settlement the following day, and the lawsuit was dismissed.<ref name="Sisario">{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Cassie Settles Lawsuit Accusing Sean Combs of Rape and Abuse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/17/arts/music/cassie-diddy-sean-combs-settlement.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118035406/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/17/arts/music/cassie-diddy-sean-combs-settlement.html |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Two further lawsuits were filed against Combs by two additional complainants, alleging sexual assault and [[revenge porn]], on November 23, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schafer |first=Ellise |date=November 23, 2023 |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs Hit With Second Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/sean-diddy-combs-sexual-assault-allegations-second-lawsuit-1235807878/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124133453/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/sean-diddy-combs-sexual-assault-allegations-second-lawsuit-1235807878/ |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=November 24, 2023 |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of sexual assault and revenge porn in two new lawsuits |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/24/sean-diddy-combs-accused-of-sexual-assault-and-revenge-porn-in-two-new-lawsuits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124103452/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/24/sean-diddy-combs-accused-of-sexual-assault-and-revenge-porn-in-two-new-lawsuits |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> One of the lawsuits claimed that in 1990 or 1991, Combs and [[Aaron Hall (singer)|Aaron Hall]] had sexually abused a woman, with Combs recording the incident.<ref name="NBC Dec 2023">{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused in third lawsuit this month of sexually assaulting a woman |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sean-diddy-combs-accused-third-lawsuit-week-sexually-assaulting-woman-rcna126564 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213160034/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sean-diddy-combs-accused-third-lawsuit-week-sexually-assaulting-woman-rcna126564 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Naumann |first=Ryan |date=November 24, 2023 |title=Diddy Hit With ANOTHER Shocking Lawsuit, Accused of Raping Woman With Singer Aaron Hall |url=https://radaronline.com/p/diddy-hit-with-third-lawsuit-alleged-assault-woman-1990-singer-aaron-hall-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214173425/https://radaronline.com/p/diddy-hit-with-third-lawsuit-alleged-assault-woman-1990-singer-aaron-hall-lawsuit/ |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=[[Radar Online]]}}</ref>

On May 17, 2024, [[CNN]] released surveillance footage of Combs physically assaulting Ventura at the InterContinental hotel in [[Century City]], Los Angeles, on March 5, 2016. This incident was among the allegations made in the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Sandra |last2=Wagmeister |first2=Elizabeth |date=May 17, 2024 |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/entertainment/sean-combs-cassie-ventura/index.html |access-date=May 17, 2024 |website=CNN}}</ref> On May 19, 2024, Combs issued a video apology on [[Instagram]] and [[Facebook]], stating he was "truly sorry" and that his actions were "inexcusable".<ref name="Dalton-2024">{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/diddy-apology-cassie-video-4e6a81d3e9ab40fa229edef2fb8ad357|title=Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'|first=Andrew|last=Dalton|publisher=Associated Press|date=May 19, 2024|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref> Combs's assault of Ventura was stopped by hotel staff, after which Combs allegedly tried to bribe the staff, according to a federal indictment in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernández |first=Salvador  |date=September 19, 2024 |title=A wall of secrets may crumble as feds call out enablers of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' alleged sex crimes |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-19/sean-diddy-combs-sex-trafficking-allegations |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

On October 1, 2024, the ''[[Washington Post]]'' reported that a team of lawyers will be filing as many as 120 more lawsuits, covering assaults that took place during the 2000s and 2010s. Plaintiffs, 25 of whom are minors, are both male and female. [[Tony Buzbee]], one of the attorneys on the team, said most of the alleged assaults took place in New York State. Half of the alleged victims say they reported the assault to police, to a doctor, or to the FBI. Some claim to have been drugged or offered [[hush money]]. Additional potential defendants other than Combs are also to be named in the lawsuits: "The names that we're going to name, assuming our investigators confirm and corroborate what we've been told, are names that will shock you", Buzbee commented at a press conference in Houston. "I'm talking here about not just the cowardly but complicit bystanders, that is those people that we know watched this behavior occur and did nothing. I'm talking about the people that participated, encouraged it, egged it on. They know who they are."<ref name="Washington Post, Oct 1, 2024">{{cite news |last1=Branigin |first1=Anne |last2=Scribner |first2=Herb |title=120 additional sexual assault lawsuits to be filed against Sean 'Diddy' Combs |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2024/10/01/diddy-sexual-assault-lawsuit-victims-tony-buzbee/ |access-date=October 2, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=October 1, 2024}}</ref> Buzbee filed the first six of these lawsuits in New York federal court on October 13, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Granville |first1=Samantha |last2=Hayes |first2=Christal |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of sexual assault and rape in new lawsuits |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2eklxx9y1ro |access-date=October 14, 2024 |work=BBC News |date=October 14, 2024}}</ref> Andrew Van Arsdale of the AVA Law Group, which is working with Buzbee, said they have heard abuse allegations against Combs from some three thousand people, and their team is currently actively examining another hundred potential cases.<ref name="BBC Oct 2024"/> Erica Wolff, a member of Combs's legal team, told the BBC that Combs "looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation".<ref name="BBC Oct 2024">{{cite news |last1=Yousif |first1=Nadine |last2=Croxford |first2=Rianna |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs: More than 100 people to sue rapper |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg56em38g2vo |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=www.bbc.com |date=October 1, 2024}}</ref>

In 2025, [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] released the documentary movie ''Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy'' about Combs' life and current legal issues,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dolak |first1=Kevin |title='Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy' Documentary Reveals New Details From Al B. Sure! and Alleged Gang Rape Victim |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/diddy-the-making-of-a-bad-boy-documentary-al-b-sure-gang-rape-victim-1236108173/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 14, 2025}}</ref> and [[Investigation Discovery]] released a four-part [[docuseries]] ''Fall of Diddy''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vlessing |first1=Etan |title='Fall of Diddy' Directors on Getting People to Speak in Doc: "The Fear Has Been Incredibly Palpable" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/fall-of-diddy-doc-directors-new-allegations-1236115589/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 27, 2025}}</ref> On February 12, 2025, Combs' representatives filed a defamation lawsuit against [[NBCUniversal]], Peacock, and Ample Entertainment alleging   ''Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy'' contains defamatory statements.<ref name=vardef>{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=February 12, 2025|title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs Files $100 Million Defamation Suit Against NBCUniversal, Ample and Peacock Over 'Making of a Bad Boy' Doc|url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/sean-diddy-combs-defamation-lawsuit-nbcuniversal-peacock-ample-documentary-1236305282/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=February 13, 2025}}</ref>

===Arrest and trial===
Combs was arrested and [[indicted]] in the [[Southern District of New York]] on September 16, 2024, on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.<ref name="Cabral-2024"/> He is held in federal custody at the [[Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn|Metropolitan Detention Center]] in [[Brooklyn]].<ref name="Cabral-2024">{{Cite news |last= Cabral|first=Sam |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs: An 11th accuser comes forward as rap mogul awaits trial |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kjxd3m528o |access-date=September 25, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> During a court appearance on October 10, 2024, Judge [[Arun Subramanian]] set Combs's trial start date as May 5, 2025.<ref name="Segarra">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/10/10/diddy-jail-court-hearing-live-updates/75597105007/|title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial date set for sex crimes charges|first=Edward|last=Segarra|publisher=USA Today|date=October 10, 2024|accessdate=October 10, 2024}}</ref>  On November 27, 2024, a judge denied bail for a third time.<ref name="Ruiz, Wright">{{Cite web |last1=Ruiz |first1=Michael |last2=Wright |first2=Tracy |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Diddy denied bail in sex trafficking, racketeering case |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/diddy-denied-bail-sex-trafficking-racketeering-case |access-date=November 28, 2024 |website=Fox News}}</ref> On April 18, 2025, a request by Combs' lawyers to postpone the trial for two months was denied.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sean (Diddy) Combs loses bid to delay sex-trafficking trial set to start in May |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/diddy-combs-trial-delay-1.7514045 |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=CBC News |agency=Thomson Reuters |date=April 18, 2025}}</ref> The trial began on May 5, 2025, with jury selection,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/2025/05/05/diddy-trial-begins-jury-selection-charges|title=Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial begins in NYC|first=Avery|last=Lotz|publisher=Axios|date=May 5, 2025|accessdate=May 5, 2025}}</ref> and opening statements and witness testimony began on May 12.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Betts |first=Anna |date=May 12, 2025 |title=First day of Sean Combs sex-trafficking trial ends as prosecutors say he ‘ran a criminal enterprise’ |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/may/12/p-diddy-sex-trafficking-trial-jury-selection |access-date=May 15, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>