HOUSTON— Texas attorney Tony Buzbee said Tuesday he is representing 120 accusers who have leveled new allegations of sexual misconduct against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Houston-based Buzbee said he expects lawsuits to be filed within the next month. Buzbee described the victims as 60 men and 60 women, and that 25 were minors at the time of the alleged misconduct.
“It’s shocking. Our youngest victim at the time of the incident was nine years old. We have an individual who was 14 years old,” Buzbee said at a news conference Tuesday. “The behavior in question extends from the years 1991 through this year, 2024. If you’re wondering why there are so many alleged victims. That’s your answer. We’re talking about over 25 years of this type of behavior .”
Buzbee said most of the alleged events and incidents took place at parties “usually after parties or album release parties, New Year’s Eve parties, 4th of July parties, something they call the ‘puppy party,’ ‘all white party.’
“Some of this behavior occurred at well-known locations in New York City,” Buzbee said. “Some of this behavior took place in the private homes of people we all know. Some of this behavior took place in hotels we all know. You should know that more than 55% of victims who reported this behavior reported this behavior to the authorities, i.e. the police or to hospitals.”
After the news conference 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 as claims are filed and served, where the truth will be determined on the basis of evidence, not speculation.”
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 sexual performances with men. sex workers at events called ‘Freak Offs’.
Buzbee also represented women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.
Other alleged victims have already done so lawsuits filed against Combs that included allegations of sexual assault.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. His lawyer said he is innocent and will fight to clear his name. Combs is being held in tThe federal detention center in Brooklyn until his trial.
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.