Diddy faces 'apocalyptic' legal challenges as new lawsuits stack up. What does it mean?
Sean "Diddy" Combs faces mounting legal hurdles, with new weekly lawsuits against the music mogul of more sex crimes including rape, sexual abuse and sexual assault.
The juridical tidal wave hits as Combs, 54, is held in federal custody in Brooklyn, New York, after pleading not guilty last month to charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The five newest accusers include two John Does and three Jane Does, with assault claims from as far back as 2000 and as recently as 2022 filed by Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee. One of the women claims she was assaulted at 13 years old while attending an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000 by a 30-year-old Combs and an unnamed male celebrity while an unnamed female celebrity watched.
Legal experts say the civil suits will only compound Combs' criminal case. Previously, two Jane Does and four John Does filed lawsuits against Combs in New York, marking the first accusers of 120 alleged victims with claims against Combs, which Buzbee announced in early October. Two of the lawsuits filed by Buzbee so far involve minors.
Combs' reps have repeatedly shared the same response with Paste BN as their previous statements, claiming that the firm's press conference and use of a 1-800 hotline is proof it is trying to "garner publicity" and that Combs "has never sexually assaulted anyone — adult or minor, man or woman."
Sean 'Diddy' Combs hit with new lawsuits involving sexual assault claims, including from a 13-year-old
The cases entail alleged incidents from 1995 through 2022, including the alleged sexual assault of a minor and multiple allegations of rape. Many of the assaults are alleged to have occurred at the infamous parties that Combs became known for throughout his three decades in the music industry.
Before Combs was an international household name in music, the embattled rapper was known for hosting over-the-top, star-studded parties that cemented him as a Hollywood power player in the entertainment industry. But civil plaintiffs and federal prosecutors alike say the parties were something far more sinister: a setting to "fulfill his sexual desires."
In the month since Combs was arrested, Buzbee's law firm has filed around a dozen civil suits so far. Combs' criminal trial begins in May 2025, although it's unclear when this surge of civil cases could make its way to court.
Why Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces 'apocalyptic' PR, branding challenges from civil lawsuits, criminal charges
Celebrity PR expert Eric Schiffer tells Paste BN that Combs faces "apocalyptic" challenges in terms of brand management amid his legal issues.
Schiffer says that from a reputation standpoint, criminal cases are more damaging for celebrity clients because “the public is aware that anyone can file a civil action” and “they also know that civil suits can go away through (cash) settlement.”
He continues: "With criminal charges, there is a higher degree of perceived culpability."
"While the civil charge could still affect reputation and taint a celebrity, a criminal charge can end a celebrity because the way in which it can be managed is a lot more difficult," Schiffer says.
He tells Paste BN that if an alleged crime leads to conviction, "then what you’ll see is brands not want to reengage, you'll see business opportunities blow up and creative opportunities also exit." Schiffer says that is less likely with a civil case.
Will Diddy trial be affected by civil suits?
The new civil cases will impact Diddy's criminal case in a number of ways, says Tre Lovell, a Los Angeles entertainment and civil attorney of The Lovell Firm.
"Prosecutors will be reviewing the complaints and investigating the claims in the civil cases for purposes of strengthening the current criminal indictment, as well as potentially bringing additional charges," Lovell says. The civil lawsuits likely include witnesses or evidence that prosecutors weren't aware of "or may not have investigated, but will do so now."
Federal prosecutors also allege that Diddy used his many business arms, such as Bad Boy Records and Combs Enterprises, as part of a widespread criminal conspiracy, and therefore all those company profits must be seized.
The civil cases will likely strengthen "the forfeiture claim in the indictment by further tying Diddy’s empire to the criminal activity," Lovell says. "In addition to Diddy’s personal prosecution, the forfeiture aspect will be a huge fight, as Diddy – and others who are part of his companies – will try to extricate and separate the businesses from Diddy’s alleged criminality."
What's more, these civil lawsuits "will help spur state-based prosecutions in addition to the current federal one," Lovell adds. In short, "Diddy’s defense team has its work cut out for them."
Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles entertainment attorney of MSD Lawyers, says the new suits are "a boon for prosecutors."
"Every one of these civil cases provides more ammunition for prosecutors in the criminal case," Dowlatshahi says. "They're just getting a gift of additional witnesses and information to bolster their own case."
Legal expert says some evidence from Diddy civil cases could be used as evidence in criminal court
Alison Siegler, a clinical professor of law and director of the Federal Criminal Justice Clinic at the University of Chicago, says criminal cases could lead to more civil cases but not the other way around.
However, she says there is one key way that "evidence from the civil case—especially under oath testimony—could potentially be admitted as evidence in the criminal case, assuming it satisfies the rules of evidence." Siegler says, as an example, that "Combs' testimony in a civil case could be introduced against him in the criminal case" and the evidence "could also be used to cross examine him."
Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail after pleading not guilty to sex trafficking charges
Why are so many people filing civil cases against Diddy?
Siegler says in Combs's civil cases, "we're seeing a lot more afterwards because there's a sense that 'oh, if the government thinks they can prove against him beyond a reasonable doubt … well then maybe we have a shot.'"
"There's a real incentive for people to come out of the woodwork and file suits and there's an incentive for lawyers to take this suit," Siegler says.
This story has been updated to include additional information.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Brendan Morrow