Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy or Diddy, has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault, including a lawsuit filed by Cassandra Ventura in late 2023 alleging rape and physical abuse over a decade. Homeland Security agents raided homes in Los Angeles and Miami connected to Combs as part of an ongoing investigation. Combs, a major figure in hip-hop music, fashion, and TV for over 30 years, has had a career marked by both success and legal troubles.
In 1991, Combs faced criticism following a stampede at a celebrity basketball game he co-hosted which resulted in nine deaths. He started to make a name for himself while at Uptown Records, producing successful remixes for various artists, such as Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. In 1994, Combs founded Bad Boy Records, which saw early success with the release of the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ready to Die” album. Combs also earned his first Grammy nomination that year.
The death of the Notorious B.I.G. in 1997 did not dampen Combs’s success, as his single “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and album “No Way Out” both achieved commercial success. Despite legal incidents in 1999, including an assault charge and nightclub shooting, Combs was ultimately acquitted. In 2002, he began hosting MTV’s “Making the Band” reality show and continued to expand his business empire beyond music, including ventures in fashion and spirits.
In 2015, Combs was arrested on assault charges after an incident with a U.C.L.A. football coach. More recently, in late 2023, Cassandra Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of rape and physical abuse, leading to a settlement between the two parties. Subsequently, additional accusations of sexual misconduct emerged, with Joi Dickerson-Neal and another woman accusing Combs of assault in separate lawsuits. Combs denied the allegations, stating that he would fight for the truth and his reputation.
In February 2024, music producer Lil Rod filed a $30 million lawsuit against Combs, alleging unwanted sexual contact and coercion into sex acts while working on Combs’s album. Combs denied the allegations through his attorney, calling the lawsuit an attempt to gain headlines. In March 2024, federal agents raided homes in Los Angeles and Miami linked to Combs as part of an ongoing investigation. The criminal inquiry is being conducted by federal prosecutors and Homeland Security Investigations. Combs, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, continues to face legal challenges amid allegations of sexual assault.
