Sean “Diddy” Combs: a timeline of allegations and charges | Sean “Diddy” Combs

16 November 2023Casandra Ventura files lawsuit for cruel attacks and abuse

Casandra Ventura, a singer and model known as Cassie who dated Combs for more than a decade, is filing a lawsuit against him, alleging he committed rape and physical assault between 2007 and 2018. She describes “a cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking” after she was lured into a “flashy, hectic and drug-fuelled lifestyle” that was allegedly designed to keep her submissive – including engaging in sexual acts with others against her will. The lawsuit also alleges he vandalised the car of another successful US rapper, Kid Cudi – real name Scott Mescudi – to stop him from meeting Ventura. Combs denied the allegations.

The allegations against Ventura are the most serious Combs has ever faced. He was charged with assault in 1998 and ordered to attend anger management classes; in 1999, he was acquitted of weapons charges following a nightclub shooting. In 2019, an ex-girlfriend, Gina Huynh, spoke to a blogger and claimed she was emotionally and physically abused during her relationship with Combs, but no lawsuit was filed.

17 November 2023Ventura reaches agreement in legal dispute

Ventura and Combs announce that their lawsuit has been settled on undisclosed terms. Ventura said in a statement, “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably, on terms over which I have a certain degree of control.”

24 November 2023Two new sexual assault lawsuits filed

Combs is accused of sexual assault in two new lawsuits dating back to 1991: one anonymous lawsuit from a woman who claimed Combs and another man forced her to have sex; the other from Joi Dickerson-Neal, who claimed Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her and filmed the incident and showed it to others. Later, on April 26, 2024, Combs’ lawyers file a motion to dismiss parts of Dickerson-Neal’s lawsuit.

This and some of the subsequent lawsuits against Combs were made possible by New York state laws such as the Adult Survivors Act and the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Act. These laws allowed sexual assault lawsuits to be filed even after the statute of limitations—the period of time within which the allegations could originally be made—had expired.

29 November 2023Combs resigns as chairman of Revolt

Combs resigns as chairman of the television network he founded, Revolt. The following week, Hulu scraps plans for a reality show produced by James Corden’s company Fulwell 73 that would focus on Combs and his family.

December 6, 2023Combs denies all allegations

Combs denies all allegations made against him in recent weeks, including a new lawsuit filed by another anonymous woman who claims Combs gang raped and sexually exploited her when she was 17. “I did not do any of the horrific things I am accused of. I will fight for my name, my family and the truth,” Combs said.

February 26, 2024Rodney Jones sues Combs

Combs is being sued by music producer Rodney Jones, who claims that Combs groped him during the recording of Combs’ 2023 album The Love Album: Off the Grid and tried to “persuade him into a homosexual relationship.” A lawyer for Combs calls the allegation “pure fiction,” and later, on August 26, Combs asks a judge to dismiss the case.

March 25, 2024Raids on Combs’ properties in LA and Miami

According to anonymous law enforcement sources, federal agents are searching Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex trafficking investigation. No charges are currently being filed against Combs.

17 April 2024CNN releases shocking footage of Combs’ attack on Ventura

CNN releases surveillance footage of Combs’ attack on Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. The next day, Combs apologizes, saying, “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted when I did it. I still am now.”

22 April 2024Crystal McKinney files lawsuit

Model Crystal McKinney is suing Combs, claiming he drugged her and forced her to perform oral sex in 2003. Later in the week, another woman, April Lampros, files her own lawsuit alleging four incidents of sexual harassment between 1995 and about 2000. She also claims Combs filmed one of the incidents and showed it to others.

June 7, 2024Howard University revokes honorary doctorate

Howard University in Washington DC announces that it is stripping Combs of an honorary degree, returning a million-dollar donation, and ending a scholarship program in his name. The following week, Combs is asked by Mayor Eric Adams to return the ceremonial key to New York City. Adams wrote that he was “deeply disturbed” by the video footage showing Combs’ attack on Ventura.

July 4, 2024Combs maintains his innocence in the face of the eighth lawsuit

Through his lawyers, Combs is again protesting his innocence as he faces his eighth sexual harassment lawsuit. Adria English claims she was “drawn into sex trafficking over time” at events between 2004 and 2009 at Combs’ famous, star-studded “white parties.” “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it will not change the fact that Mr. Combs never sexually harassed or sex-trafficked anyone,” says attorney Jonathan Davis.

10 September 2024Resolves a failure to appear at a hearing

Combs fails to appear for a virtual hearing in a lawsuit filed against him by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, who claims he was drugged and sexually assaulted by him at a party in Detroit in 1997. The failure to appear will result in a default judgment against Combs for $100 million, payable to Cardello-Smith, who is currently incarcerated on another case. Combs’ lawyers say they hope the lawsuit will be dismissed because Combs has never heard from Cardello-Smith. Emergency motions will be filed by Combs’ legal team on September 13 to try to overturn the judgment.

11 September 2024Another lawsuit is filed by Dawn Richard

Following Ventura, another well-known musician filed her own lawsuit against Combs. Dawn Richard, who was part of the girl group Danity Kane signed by Combs and later a trio with him called Diddy – Dirty Money, claims that Combs sexually harassed her on multiple occasions by touching her body, verbally abusing her and overexerting her. She also claims to have seen him physically attack Ventura on multiple occasions.

16 September 2024Combs is arrested and charged in New York

Combs is arrested in New York and charged with three counts of sex trafficking and organized crime. A federal indictment describes him as “a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in or attempted to engage in, among other things, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”