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 spanning from 1995 to 2021.
The unnamed accusers allege some of the assaults happened at Diddy’s parties, which were attended by major celebrities and music artists.
Mr Combs has previously denied all civil and criminal claims against him.
One of the accusers said he was 16 when he attended one of the parties in the Hamptons in 1998. He says he was having a conversation with the rapper about breaking into the music industry when an alleged assault took place.
The lawsuit includes a photo of the pair together at the party with the teen’s face blurred out.
The accuser says that during their conversation, Mr Combs abruptly ordered him to undress.
According to the lawsuit, Mr Combs said it was “a rite of passage” and “the route to becoming a star.”
Another lawsuit filed on Monday includes allegations by a woman who claims Mr Combs raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student.
According to the lawsuit, she met the music mogul at a photoshoot, where he then invited her and a friend to attend a private party at his hotel. Once they arrived, the lawsuit alleges that Mr Combs “fondled, molested, and ultimately raped her” despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.
Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, who is representing the accusers, has said he is representing more than 100 people who plan to sue the rapper on allegations of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.
Mr Buzbee has said that some of the alleged victims include children. He said the lawsuits are being brought under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows victims to file older claims.
Mr Combs and his legal team have not responded to the latest allegations.
These new lawsuits come as he faces federal criminal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed against Mr Combs detailing a slew of assaults, rape and sexual extortion.
This article was originally published at www.bbc.com
