Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing new allegations of rape, sexual abuse and sexual assault after a series of fresh lawsuits were filed on Monday.
At least six lawsuits were filed in New York federal court by two women and four men. They include allegations that span from 1995 to 2021.
The unnamed accusers allege some of the assaults happened at Mr Combs’ parties, which were attended by major celebrities and music artists.
Lawyers for Mr Combs denied the allegations, saying in a statement to the BBC that he “has never sexually assaulted anyone – adult or minor, man or woman”.
One of the accusers said he was 16 when he attended one of the parties in the Hamptons in 1998. In the lawsuit, he describes being thrilled to get an invitation to Mr Combs’ party, which became a premier A-list annual event for celebrities.
The accuser said he saw countless celebrities and music artists as he walked around, and ran into Mr Combs while he was on the way to the bathroom. He said he started talking to Mr Combs about breaking into the music industry when they went to somewhere more private.
The accuser alleges that during their conversation, Mr Combs abruptly ordered him to undress.
The lawsuit includes a photo of the pair together at the party with the teen’s face blurred out.
According to the lawsuit, Mr Combs said it was “a rite of passage” and “the route to becoming a star”. The rapper told the teen he could make anyone a star and the teen had the right “look”, the lawsuit states. [BBC News]