Rapper and hip-hop producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, 54, is at the centre of a new scandal after six sexual assault lawsuits were filed. One of the plaintiffs, a man, accuses the artist of raping him when he was just 16 years old, as reported by Reuters.
The charges mark the first time Combs has been prosecuted for cases involving minors. The lawsuits were filed in a federal court in Manhattan just a month after prosecutors filed criminal charges against him in a long-running sex trafficking and extortion scheme.
Combs’ lawyers strongly deny all the allegations. “In court, the truth will prevail: Mr Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone – adults or minors, male or female,” his legal team said in a statement.
Among the anonymous plaintiffs is a person who claims that during a party at Combs’ residence in the Hamptons in 1998, the rapper forced him to take off his pants and touched his genitals. At the time of the incident, the applicant was only 16 years old.
On 16 September, Combs was arrested and charged with conspiracy, human trafficking and transport for the purpose of prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to the charges the following day. A judge denied his bail application on 10 October, setting his next court date for 5 May 2025.
These new charges represent a significant change in the image of Combs, who has always maintained his innocence and continues to fight for his reputation. Known as one of the most influential figures in the world of hip-hop, he is now under threat from serious allegations that could have far-reaching consequences for his career.
