NOTE: The following article contains disturbing content. Read it at your own discretion.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is accused in one of two lawsuits filed Monday of drugging and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in a New York City hotel room in 2005.
The second lawsuit accuses the jailed hip-hop mogul of similarly assaulting a 17-year-old aspiring contestant on the reality series. Making the band in 2008.
The lawsuits filed in the New York State Supreme Court are the latest in a wave of lawsuits in which accusers allege Combs sexually assaulted them at parties and gatherings over the past two decades.
Combs’ attorneys denied the two new claims Monday and accused plaintiffs’ attorney Anthony Buzbee, who also represents accusers in previous lawsuits, of seeking publicity.
“Mr. Combs and his legal team have complete confidence in the facts and integrity of the judicial process,” an emailed statement said. “In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone.” , whether man or woman, adult or minor.”
Combs, 54, is incarcerated in a New York City jail after pleading not guilty to federal sex trafficking charges contained in an indictment unsealed the day after his arrest on September 16. The charges include allegations that he coerced and abused women and silenced victims through blackmail and violence.
Get daily national news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day.
The 10-year-old boy who was not identified in the lawsuit was an aspiring actor and rapper who had traveled with his parents from California to meet with music industry representatives. During what was supposed to be an audition for Combs, an associate of Combs gave him a drug-laced soda and the Bad Boy Records founder sexually assaulted him, according to the lawsuit.
The boy eventually lost consciousness. When he woke up, Combs threatened to seriously hurt the boy’s parents if he told anyone what happened, according to the document.
In a second lawsuit, an unidentified 17-year-old said Combs forced him to perform sexual acts on Combs and a bodyguard during a three-day audition for the Making the band television show, produced by Combs.
When the aspiring contestant expressed reservations, he was eliminated from the competition and unable to return to the music industry for seven years, according to the filing.
Both lawsuits were filed under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Victim Protection Act, which allows survivors to file lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has expired.
—
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is involved in an abusive situation, please visit the Canadian Crime Victims Resource Center for help. You can also contact them toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
