120 people have accused Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of sexual misconduct, lawyer says

HOUSTON (AP) — An attorney said Tuesday he is representing 120 accusers who have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Houston attorney Tony Buzbee said he expects lawsuits to be filed within the next month, with most expected to be filed in New York and Los Angeles. Buzbee described the victims as 60 men and 60 women, and that 25 were minors at the time of the alleged misconduct. One person claimed he was 9 years old when he was abused, Buzbee said. The allegations cover a period from 1991 to this year.

“This type of sexual assault, sexual abuse and exploitation should never happen in the United States or anywhere else. This should never have gone on for so long. This behavior has created a mass of individuals who are wounded, scared and scarred,” Buzbee said at a news conference.

READ MORE: Judge denies bail for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs over concerns about witness tampering in sex trafficking case

Following the announcement of the charges in Texas, an attorney for Combs said the artist “cannot address every baseless accusation in what has become a reckless media circus.”

“That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors, as false and defamatory,” attorney Erica Wolff said in a statement. “He looks forward to proving his innocence and defending himself in court, where the truth will be determined on the basis of evidence, not speculation.”

Buzbee said more than 3,280 individuals had contacted his firm claiming they had been victimized by Combs, and that after investigating the allegations, his firm decided to represent 120 people. Other cases are still under investigation. He said some of his clients have spoken to the FBI.

The individuals Buzbee’s firm represents come from more than 25 states, with the majority from California, New York, Georgia and Florida.

The alleged abuse occurred mainly at parties in New York, California and Florida, where individuals were served drinks laced with drugs, Buzbee said.

READ MORE: Read the full indictment against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Some of the alleged behavior occurred during auditions where “many times, especially young people, people who wanted to break into the industry, were coerced into this type of behavior in the promise of becoming a star,” Buzbee said.

Combs, 54, has been locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty on September 17 to federal charges that he used his “power and prestige” to entice female victims into drugged, elaborately produced male sex performances. employees at events called “Freak Offs.”

Other alleged victims have already filed lawsuits against Combs, including allegations of sexual assault.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. His lawyer said he is innocent and will fight to clear his name.

Combs is one of the best-known music managers, producers and artists in hip-hop. He has won three Grammys and has collaborated with artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112. He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, the influential fashion line Sean John, a vodka brand and the Revolt TV network. In June this year he sold his interest in the latter company.

Buzbee also represented women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and misconduct.