Sean John Combs — also known as Diddy — rose to fame as a Grammy-winning music producer and fashion mogul. But late last year he became the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging serious misconduct.
Combs is currently facing more than 120 civil lawsuits spanning a period between 1991 to 2024.
The scrutiny intensified after his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual and physical abuse during their 10-year relationship.
Since then, more people — including men — have filed lawsuits or shared accounts of alleged misconduct.
Ventura filed a lawsuit on Nov. 16, 2023 alleging abuse when they were together. . The lawsuit noted that their relationship began when she was 19 and Combs was 38, prompting criticism because of the age difference.
The lawsuit was settled a day later when Ventura asked the court to dismiss the suit with prejudice.
Combs and his legal team denied wrongdoing. Months later surveillance video surfaced showing a 2016 altercation between Combs and Ventura at a hotel, which circulated widely online.
On May 17, 2024, a clip obtained by CNN shows Combs chasing Ventura in a hotel. According to CNN he was only wearing a towel around his waist while she was thrown to the ground before escaping through the elevator.
After the video surfaced on social media, Diddy released a public apology for his actions. He claimed his actions were inexcusable and that he was “disgusted” for the way he behaved. He proceeded to claim he was seeking professional help.
Soon after Ventura took legal action, more women and at least four men came forward and accused Combs of sexual assault, rape, physical abuse and drugging.
Several of his accusers also claimed they were forced to participate in “Freak-Offs,”parties hosted by Combs they allege were filled with exotic and illegal drugs and day-long sexual performances.
Grace O’Marcaigh filed a suit against both Combs and his adult son in April 2024, alleging she was sexually assaulted while working on a yacht during Christmas break in 2022.
O’Marcaigh also alleges that A-List celebrities attended Combs’ events. Phillip Pines, who worked for Combs as an executive assistant, filed a suit alleging sexual battery, sex trafficking, harassment and intentional emotional distress. Pines worked
He was told his job consisted of getting Combs’ food, laying out his clothes, and running errands but soon realized his job also included setting up Combs’ bedroom, as well as various hotel rooms for his wild parties and disposing of sexual paraphernalia afterwards
For many students, the recent allegations against Combs added another name to a growing list of powerful figures accused of abuse in the entertainment industry. The headlines have prompted renewed conversations about celebrity culture, accountability and the darker side of fame.
Senior Pamela Fajaro Alfaro said the situation reflects a deeper issue that goes beyond one person.
“What Diddy has done is a reality, it showed the public the dark side of Hollywood and the music industry. It’s really just spreading out into society right now. And it’s a crucial and dark reality that should be taken care of.”
For other students, the initial reaction to the news was confusion — not just about the allegations themselves, but about how someone so famous could be involved in something so disturbing.
Junior Connor Ruckman said the details were hard to process when he first learned about them.
“At first I wondered why a random S-tier celebrity got caught doing inappropriate things,” Ruckman said. “But then I realized what he did. I wondered why in the world he’d do that, it was just a very shocking thing to hear about baby oil and parties.”
According to police reports, Combs was arrested in September last year. His trial began on May 12 in New York City, with jury selection and opening statements, marking the start of what is expected to be an eight-week trial..
During opening statements, prosecutors alleged that Combs operated a criminal enterprise over two decades, involving violence and abuse. They highlighted the alleged assault against Ventura and testimony from individuals alleged coerced into drug-fueled sex parties. The defense acknowledged domestic abuse, but contended that all sexual activity was consensual. They claimed the accusations are financially motivated.
Combs pleaded not guilty and continues to deny all allegations, maintaining his innocence.
The case continues to fuel conversations among young people — not just about one celebrity, but about power, accountability and the culture that allows abuse to go unchecked.
