Two new sexual assault lawsuits have been lodged against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging misconduct when the plaintiffs were minors. Both suits, filed in New York, involve claims from males who were underage during the alleged incidents.
One plaintiff states he was just 10 years old at the time, while the other claims he was assaulted while auditioning for the MTV reality series “Making the Band,” which Mr. Combs produced.
In response to the allegations, representatives for Mr. Combs issued a statement to the BBC, firmly denying any wrongdoing. They asserted that he has “never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor”.
Warning: This story contains details some readers may find disturbing
In recent months, Mr. Combs has been confronted with over two dozen lawsuits alleging serious offences such as rape, drugging individuals, assaults on minors, intimidation, and sexual extortion.
Additionally, the rapper is facing federal criminal charges related to an alleged conspiracy involving sex trafficking and racketeering, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
On Monday, two lawsuits were filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, who claims to represent more than 100 alleged victims and intends to submit numerous lawsuits against Mr. Combs in the weeks ahead.
In the first lawsuit, which was filed anonymously, the plaintiff alleges that Mr Combs assaulted him in 2005 when he was 10 years old and an aspiring actor and rapper.
To support their son’s ambitions in entertainment, the boy’s parents enlisted the help of an industry consultant who suggested they travel to New York for meetings with music professionals.
During the trip, the consultant set up an “audition” with Mr Combs, who requested a private meeting with the boy, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit claims the consultant escorted the boy to Mr Combs’ hotel room, where he was left alone. The boy performed several rap songs for Mr Combs, who told him he had the potential to become a star.
Read more on the allegations against Diddy:
According to the complaint, Mr Combs asked the boy how committed he was to pursuing his dream, and the boy replied that he would “do anything.”
During the meeting, a third person gave the boy a soda that made him feel “funny,” but at the time, the plaintiff thought the feelings were from happiness over the meeting, the lawsuit states.
The rapper is then accused of disrobing and ordering the boy to perform a sex act.
When the boy resisted, Mr Combs allegedly assaulted him. The plaintiff says in the complaint that he lost consciousness and woke up in pain with his pants undone.
Mr Combs told him if he told anyone he would hurt his parents, according to the lawsuit.
In the second lawsuit, an unnamed male alleges he was sexually assaulted by Mr Combs in 2008.
The plaintiff was 17 when he was auditioning for the MTV reality competition Mr Combs produced.
During various rounds of the audition process, Mr Combs allegedly asked the plaintiff how he would handle situations involving sexual pressure.
He and his bodyguard went on to force the teen into sexual acts, the lawsuit states.
Mr Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York following his September arrest on federal charges.
He was denied bail and will remain in custody until his trial in May.
He has denied all the allegations against him.
“Mr Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process,” his representatives said.
If convicted of racketeering, he could face life in prison.