In November, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York federal court docket. Her lawsuit consists of graphic claims of sexual assault, bodily abuse, and an allegation that Combs, her ex-boyfriend, would power 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 chronic historical past of violence, relationship again to the Nineties. He’s by no means been convicted of a critical 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 Times that “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday.” The two reached an “amicable” settlement for an undisclosed quantity on Nov. 17.
Here is a timeline of Combs’ controversies through the years:
CCNY Tragedy, 1991
Combs co-promoted a star basketball sport and live performance at City College of New York the place 9 folks died and 29 folks had been injured. The health club 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 City Mayor David Dinkins’ administration printed a 67-page report known as “A Failure Of Responsibility” that cited Combs for hiring insufficient, inexperienced safety. Combs settled a slew of lawsuits from relations of attendees who died on the gymnasium, finalizing the final swimsuit in 2000.
Jake Robles Shooting, 1995
Combs and Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight had been as soon as associates, however the animosity that fueled the violent rivalry between Death Row and Bad Boy began as soon as Knight’s pal (and safety guard) Jake Robles was killed outdoors an Atlanta nightclub after an argument with the Bad Boy camp. The males had been celebrating musician Jermaine Dupri’s birthday at Platinum City Club when, as then-Fulton County Sheriff Deputy Chris Howard advised police, an argument started between members of the Bad Boy and Death Row Records 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. But, as Howard advised the Los Angeles Times, “[Knight’s] partner was just about ready to get into the limo when all of a sudden Puffy’s guys came from around the corner . . . and one of them had a gun.” Howard mentioned he chased the person, who handed the gun to a different individual, who shot Robles “two or three times.” According to the Times, the individual then jumped right into a “car 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 City 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 had been damaged to MTV, additionally telling the community, “I basically went to his office, and what happened in his office, I really can’t speak about but I can say this: the way I handled myself in his office was completely wrong and I’ve since apologized to Steve about that and I felt like, you know, I just disappointed myself.” Combs was sentenced to a one-day anger administration class.
Club New York Shooting, 1999
In late December 1999, Combs and his Bad Boy signee Jamal “Shyne” Barrow had been partying at Club New York when Diddy knocked a drink out of Matthew “Scar” Allen’s palms. 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 thrice within the crowded membership. Three folks had been shot. Combs, who was arrested with two nine-millimeter weapons in his automobile, was charged with 4 weapons prices and for bribing his driver to assert that the weapons had been his personal. A witness on the trial mentioned she noticed each Shyne and Combs shoot their weapons, however Combs was acquitted on all prices, whereas Shyne was discovered responsible of 5 of his eight prices 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. Multiple sources alleged to Complex {that a} “visibly intoxicated” Combs accosted Kendrick Lamar about his fiery verse on Big Sean’s “Control,” 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 Post, nevertheless, reported that the scuffle occurred after “J. Cole was saying inappropriate things to Sean Combs and his girlfriend, Cassie.” A witness advised them that “Some pushing and shoving happened. No punches were thrown, but it was a visible disturbance.” Both males instantly denied a struggle came about, although Cole later rapped, “My last 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-Times reported that the 2 acquired into an argument outdoors of LIV nightclub throughout DJ Khaled’s occasion for Basel Weekend. Words had been allegedly exchanged, and reportedly, “then blows,” with Combs telling Drake, “You will not disrespect me.” Combs has denied punching Drake, telling the radio present The Breakfast Club “I didn’t do nothing to Drake, Drake is my 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 follow the place Alosi chided his son (and then-UCLA participant) Justin Combs, telling him, “I don’t care if your dad’s here. This is UCLA. I’m going to treat you just like I treat everyone else.” After the follow, Combs and his son reportedly went to Alosi’s workplace, the place an argument ensued and Combs “grabbed” Alosi. According to at least 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 various accounts of the event and charges that are being reported are wholly inaccurate. What we can say now is that any actions taken by Mr. Combs were solely defensive in nature to protect himself and his son.” The LA district legal professional determined to not file assault prices 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 in addition punched her behind the top. She advised Tasha Okay that, “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 additionally mentioned that “everyone” in Combs’ circle “allowed” the abuse to happen.
Cassie Files Civil Suit Against 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 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 two settled for an undisclosed quantity on Nov. 17, along with his legal professional Ben Brafman stating that “Mr. Combs‘ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims.”
Jane Doe Sues for 1991 Rape and Revenge Porn
Five days after Combs and Cassie reached a settlement, a former Syracuse University faculty 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 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 physical state where she could not independently stand or walk.” “Days later,” the swimsuit reads, “a male friend revealed to her that he had viewed the ‘sex tape’ along with other men.” A consultant for Combs denied the allegations, calling them a “money grab” in a press release to TMZ.
Diddy Faces Third Sexual Assault Suit in One Week
Just earlier than New York State’s Adult Survivors Act’s Nov. 23 deadline, a second nameless accuser filed a lawsuit in opposition to Combs alleging sexual assault. (The legislation, handed in May 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 lower off authorized choices — advocates have requested for an extension of the act’s window or the undoing of statutes of limitations altogether.) In this swimsuit, a girl claims Diddy and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping her and a pal 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 began assaulting and choking Jane Doe to the point that she passed out,” the grievance alleges. “Combs was searching for Jane Doe’s friend because he was worried that she would tell the girl he was with at the time what he and Hall had done to them.” (Reps for Hall and Combs didn’t instantly return requests for touch upon Friday.)
Third Jane Doe Files Lawsuit
On Dec. 6, Jane Doe plaintiff filed a lawsuit in opposition to Combs, Daddy’s House Recordings, and Bad Boy Entertainment, alleging that in 2003, when she was 17, she was gang raped by Combs, former Bad Boy President Harve Pierre, and one other unidentified man at Combs’ Daddy’s House studio in New York City. 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 amounts of drugs and alcohol.” The graphic lawsuit mentioned that issues started to visually “blur” for her when she was assaulted by the three males within the rest room 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 outdoors the toilet. The lawsuit additionally claims that after Pierre completed assaulting her, she was left within the rest room alone, the place she curled right into a fetal place with vaginal ache. Once 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, “Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me 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.”
Tiffany Red Writes an Open Letter Corroborating Cassie’s Allegations
On Dec. 7, Tiffany Red — 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 by way of Rolling Stone alleging that Cassie’s claims had been true.
“I’m one of the friends mentioned in her lawsuit, specifically from the night of her 29th birthday, as detailed in the section labeled ‘Mr. Combs Forces Ms. Ventura Into Sex Trafficking,’” she wrote. Red detailed her first encounters with Combs and her working relationship with Cassie as a songwriter and detailed the occasion the place she claimed Combs separated Cassie from her associates. When Cassie and Combs returned later within the night, Red wrote that they appeared intoxicated and that Combs was verbally abusive to each girls, calling Red an “emotional singing bitch,” earlier than departing.
“She later told me you made her have a ‘Freak Off’ — which Cassie described in her lawsuit as an ‘arrangement’ where you would make her perform sexual acts with male sex workers — that night,” Red wrote. “The reason you called me ’emotional singing bitch’ was because you were listening to new songs we wrote during the ‘Freak Off’ that had begun after you came to get her earlier that night. I am disturbed to my core by this.” Red 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.
Update – Dec. 7, 2023, 11:17 a.m. ET: This publish was up to date to mirror Red’s open letter.
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