HOUSTON, Oct 2 — More than 100 people, including dozens of children, who say they were victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation at the hands of Sean “Diddy” Combs are to sue the US rap star, a lawyer said yesterday. The latest legal action will heap further pressure on a man who once bestrode American pop culture, but who has long been dogged by accusations of violent abuse of women, and who is now sitting in jail on criminal charges. “The biggest secret in the entertainment industry, that really wasn’t a secret at all, has finally been revealed to the world,” Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee said as he announced plans by 120 people, including 25 minors, to take civil action.
“The wall of silence has now been broken, and victims are coming forward.” Combs was indicted last month on three criminal counts that allege he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fuelled sex parties using threats and violence. Allegations have been building against the Grammy Award-winner since last year, when singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape.
A spate of similarly lurid lawsuits since have painted a picture of Combs as a violent man who used his celebrity status to prey on women. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He has been jailed awaiting trial.
Pattern of abuse At a press conference in Houston, Buzbee said .