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In November last year, Cassie Ventura, the former girlfriend of rapper Diddy, filed a lawsuit against the rapper alleging rape and abuse that occurred over a number of years. The lawsuit, which was settled out of court a day later, was one of more than 10 cases brought against Diddy and assault allegations.
Diddy’s biggest legal blow came when the 54-year-old was arrested with federal charges laid against him, alleging abuse, racketeering and sex trafficking among other charges.
Here, we look back at some of the lawsuits against Diddy, the allegations laid against the rapper, and what they mean.
Trigger Warning: This article contains details of sexual assault and violence.
What Did Diddy Do? His Lawsuits, Explained
What Was Cassie’s Lawsuit Against Diddy?
Cassie, whose real name is Cassandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in November 2023, alleging rape and physical abuse starting in 2005 when Cassie was 19.
The lawsuit says Diddy gave her “copious amounts of drugs, including ecstasy and ketamine, physically abused her, and forced her to have sex with male prostitutes, which he filmed. It also alleged that in 2018, Mr Combs forced his way into her home and raped her.
As the New York Times reports, the suit contained details of physical assaults, which allegedly took place “multiple times each year”. In one incident, Cassie alleged Mr Combs pushed her into a car and kicked her repeatedly in the face. In another incident at a hotel, Diddy allegedly punched her in the face giving her a black eye, and then followed her into a hotel hallway, grabbed at her and threw glass vases at her.
One of the most virulent claims was that Diddy directed Cassie to have sex with male prostitutes while Diddy “watched, masturbated, took pictures and shot video,” per the NYT report. Diddy called these events “Freak Offs”.
The lawsuit also appeared to imply a link between Diddy and Kid Cudi’s car exploding when the latter was dating Cassie. “Around that time,” the suit says, “Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.”
Diddy has denied all allegations via his lawyers, and the suit was settled outside of court.
How Much Was Cassie’s Settlement From Diddy?
The sum or details of the settlement have not been made public. Prior to the filing of the lawsuit, Cassie’s lawyer said: “Mr. Combs offered Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit. She rejected his efforts.”
What Is The Criminal Lawsuit Against Diddy?
On September 16, 2024 Diddy was arrested in New York and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy pleaded not guilty and was denied bail.
The charges, brough by Federal prosecutors, allege that Diddy “abused , threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.” It went on to describe Diddy as “creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
It also alleged Combs “manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers”.
Diddy has denied charges, with his lawyers arguing during the bail hearing that a sex trafficking charge, which relates to his relationship with Cassie, was consensual.
What Is Racketeering?
Among Diddy’s charges is one count of “racketeering conspiracy”. Racketeering relates to operations of organised crime. The charges against Diddy claim he and “others” were “members and associates of a criminal organisation”. As for their crimes, the lawsuit alleges, “Members and associates of the Combs Enterprise engaged in, attempted to engage in, among other activities, sex trafficking, forced labour, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offences, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.
The racketeering charges against Diddy carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, the New York Times reports.
What Were Diddy’s ‘Freak Offs’?
Also mentioned in the Cassie lawsuit, this lawsuit details “Freak Offs” as “elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded”.
According to the filing, Freak Offs sometimes lasted multiple days and often involved multiple commercial sex workers.
During Freak Offs, Combs allegedly distributed drugs to those involved, “in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant”.
Why Was Diddy Denied Bail?
Although Diddy’s lawyers offered a $50 million bond for bail, Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky refused the request. “My concern is that this is a crime that happens behind closed doors,” she reportedly said.
Prosecutors argued that Diddy was a “serial abuser and a serial obstructer”, claiming that his wealth would make it easy for him to escape.
How Many People Have Lawsuits Against Diddy?
After Cassie, a further 10 individuals filed civil lawsuits against Diddy. These include:
- Joi Dickerson-Neal, November 2023: Accused Diddy of drugging and sexually assaulting her, and filming the act and showing it to others in an incident that occurred in January 1991. Diddy’s lawyers claim the lawsuit is a “money grab” and have requested it be dismissed.
- Liza Gardner, November 23, 2023 June 6, 2024: Gardner alleged Diddy and singer Aaron Hall of forcing her to have sex with them when she was 16. Diddy has denied the claims.
- ‘Jane Doe’, December 2023: An unidentified woman claimed that Diddy, former Bad Boy Records president Harve Pierre and a third person gang-raped her in a New York recording studio when she was 17. Following this lawsuit, Diddy took to social media to refute claims. “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” he said. Harve Pierre also denied the allegations.
- Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones, February 2024: alleges Diddy and his associates were part of an “illegal racketeering enterprise”, which included procuring drugs and soliciting sex workers. Diddy has moved to dismiss the case, with his lawyers calling it “pure fiction”.
- Grace O’Marcaigh, April 2024: alleges Diddy’s son Christian Combs of sexually assaulting her while she worked on a yacht chartered by the family in 2022. Diddy is also named as a defendant in the case. Diddy’s team filed to have the case dismissed, NBC News reports.
- Crystal McKinney, May 2024: alleges Diddy gave her drugs and alcohol and followed her to a bathroom where he forced her to perform oral sex on him. Diddy is yet to publicly respond to the case.
- April Lampros, May 2024: accuses Diddy of battery, sexual assault, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and committing a crime of violence motivated by gender. Among the allegations are accusations of rape and being forced to perform oral sex. Diddy has not responded to the suit.
- Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, June 2024: alleges Diddy drugged and sexually assaulted him. Cardello-Smith was awarded US $100 million after Diddy failed to appear via video for the court case. However, this was set aside after it was found Diddy’s court notice may not have been properly sent. There will be another hearing in November 2024. Diddy denies the allegations.
- Dawn Richard, September 2024: A member of two of music groups associated with Diddy, including Danity Kane, Dawn Richard sued Diddy for sexual assault and battery. She also alleges she witnessed assaults against Cassie and Diddy’s ex, Kim Porter. Diddy’s lawyer says he is “shocked and disappointed” by the suit, and calls the claims “false”.
- Thalia Graves, September 2024: Alleges Diddy and his head of security, Joseph Sherman, raped her and recorded it in 2001. Graves is represented by celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred. Diddy has not yet responded to the allegations.
What Is Diddy’s Net Worth?
With the mounting lawsuits and details of bail requests and alleged settlement offers coming to light, some are wondering how much Diddy is worth. Reports of Diddy’s net worth are conflicting. In 2022, Diddy’s net worth was estimated as US $1 billion (approx. AU $1.46 billion). This was suggested by Zack O’Malley Greenburg, an author and Jay Z biographer who, according to Business Insider, tracks hip-hop’s wealthiest musicians. In a lawsuit brought by Diddy against alcohol brand Diageo, the latter suggested the rapper had made nearly US $1 billion over the course of their 15-year partnership.
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