Greater than 100 individuals, together with dozens of kids, who say they have been victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation by the hands of Sean “Diddy” Combs are to sue the US rap star, a lawyer mentioned Tuesday.
The newest authorized motion will heap additional stress on a person who as soon as bestrode American popular culture, however who has lengthy been dogged by accusations of violent abuse of ladies, and who’s now sitting in jail on prison fees.
“The most important secret within the leisure trade, that actually wasn’t a secret in any respect, has lastly been revealed to the world,” Texas-based legal professional Tony Buzbee mentioned as he introduced plans by 120 individuals, together with 25 minors, to take civil motion.
“The wall of silence has now been damaged, and victims are coming ahead.”
Combs was indicted final month on three prison counts that allege he sexually abused ladies and coerced them into drug-fueled intercourse events utilizing threats and violence.
Allegations have been constructing towards the Grammy Award-winner since final 12 months, when singer Cassie, whose actual identify is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to greater than a decade of coercion by bodily drive and medicines in addition to a 2018 rape.
A spate of equally lurid lawsuits since have painted an image of Combs as a violent man who used his superstar standing to prey on ladies.
Combs has pleaded not responsible to the prison fees. He has been jailed awaiting trial.
– Sample of abuse –
At a press convention in Houston, Buzbee mentioned greater than 3,000 individuals had come ahead with allegations towards Combs, and he appealed for anybody else who may need been a sufferer to come back ahead.
He mentioned a lot of the abuse Combs and members of his entourage are alleged to have carried out adopted a sample.
“I might say 90 % of the circumstances, these people have been drugged,” he advised reporters.
“One particular person who was 22 years on the time she was assaulted, mentioned that… once you have been handed a drink — and now we all know that the drink is laced with one thing — should you refused to drink it, you have been kicked out of the social gathering.”
Buzbee described situations of repeated rape of youngsters, allegedly carried out by Combs and his associates.
He mentioned alleged abuse of minors typically happened within the context of a promise of fame and fortune within the music trade.
– Fears of retribution –
One boy, who was simply 9 years previous on the time, was taken to New York to audition for Combs’ label Unhealthy Boy Data.
“This particular person was sexually abused, allegedly by Sean Combs and a number of other different individuals on the studio, within the promise to each his dad and mom and to himself of getting a report deal,” Buzbee mentioned.
“One other incident, a person, 15 years previous on the time, flown to New York Metropolis to attend a celebration, was drugged after which taken into a non-public room, allegedly within the presence of Mr. Combs, the place this feminine particular person, a minor, was raped, after which different people took turns raping her.”
Buzbee praised the braveness of those that had come ahead regardless of fears of retribution or backlash from their very own communities.
“I count on that by means of this course of, many highly effective individuals, many soiled secrets and techniques can be revealed.
“We all know what we’re probably up towards, and as is at all times the case in conditions like this, when a star is concerned, individuals could be downright imply and nasty.”Diddy accused by 120 alleged victims in contemporary sexual assault lawsuit