A timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ recent legal troubles
Diddy’s downfall.
Sean “Diddy” Combs went from being on top of the world to being public enemy number one after his ex-girlfriend Cassie accused him of raping and beating her in a November 2023 lawsuit.
Since settling the suit with the model, his legal troubles have continued to mount with several people accusing him of a range of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity.
Keep scrolling to read a timeline of Combs’ recent legal woes.
Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura v. Sean Combs
On November 16, 2023, Cassie filed a bombshell lawsuit against her ex, accusing him of rape and physical abuse throughout their 10-year relationship.
The “Me & U” singer, born Casandra Ventura, revealed in the suit obtained by Page Six that she met the Revolt co-founder in 2005 when she was only 19.
He allegedly began a pattern of abuse and control that included allegedly forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed, physically abusing her and supplying her with drugs.
Cassie also alleged in the suit that Combs forced his way into her home and raped her toward the end of their longtime relationship in 2018.
The exes settled the lawsuit one day later and Cassie asked the court to dismiss the suit with prejudice.
Though Combs maintained his innocence, video evidence of one of his physical altercations Cassie described in the complaint was released to the public on May 17, 2024.
In the clip obtained by CNN, Combs chased the “Long Way 2 Go” singer in a hotel in March 2016 while wearing only a towel around his waist. As she tried to escape on an elevator, he grabbed her and threw her to the ground.
As she lay motionless, Combs kicked her two times and then proceeded to drag her by her sweatshirt down the hallway.
After the video surfaced, Combs issued an apology for his actions.
“My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted,” he said in a video posted to Instagram on May 19, 2024.
“I went and I sought out professional help, started going to therapy and rehab, had to ask god for his mercy and grace,” he added.
A source close to the Sean John founder told The New York Post that Combs felt the disturbing video “doesn’t tell the full story about what happened.”
“It’s his position that there was an agenda in releasing the video when it was released,” the insider continued.
On May 17, 2024, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a statement, saying they could not bring charges against Combs for the “extremely disturbing” video due to the statute of limitations.
Joi Dickerson-Neal v. Sean Combs
On November 23, 2023, Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a lawsuit against Combs, alleging that he raped and drugged her in 1991.
According to the complaint obtained by the Daily Beast, Dickerson-Neal was a college student at Syracuse University at the time when she “reluctantly agreed to an early dinner with” Combs.
“During their date, Combs had intentionally drugged [her], resulting in her being in a physical state where she could not independently stand or walk,” the lawsuit read.
“Driving first to a music studio where she could not get out of the car, Combs proceeded to a place he was staying to sexually assault her.”
Though Dickerson-Neal did not notify the police about the alleged incident, she claimed she was later approached by Jodeci singer DeVante Swing, who allegedly told her that Combs had been sharing a “sex tape” of the two of them.
Dickerson-Neal said in the suit that she has “suffered a lifetime of injuries from being drugged, sexually assaulted and abused, and being the victim of ‘revenge porn’ that Sean Combs, or ‘P. Diddy,’ created and distributed.”
She also claimed in the lawsuit that she dropped out of college and was admitted to a hospital for suicidal ideation.
Combs denied the allegations.
“This last-minute lawsuit is an example of how a well-intentioned law can be turned on its head. Ms. Dickerson’s 32-year-old story is made up and not credible,” a spokesperson for the rapper told Page Six, referring to the fact that the complaint was filed one day before the cut-off for civil cases for past sexual offenses under New York’s Adult Survivors Act.
“Mr. Combs never assaulted her and she implicates companies that did not exist. This is purely a money grab and nothing more.”
Liza Gardner v. Sean Combs
Liza Gardner accused Combs and singer Aaron Hall of raping her and an unidentified friend in 1990 or 1991 when she was just 16 years old, according to a filing obtained by Rolling Stone.
Per the lawsuit, the foursome allegedly met at an MCA Records event, with the “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper and the “I Like” singer allegedly acting “very handsy and flirtatious” and “offering [the women] drinks” before bringing them to Hall’s apartment.
“[Gardner] was offered more drinks and was coerced into having sex with Combs,” the court documents claimed.
“After Combs finished doing his business, [Gardner] laid in bed, shocked and traumatized. As she was in the process of getting dressed, Hall barged into the room, pinned her down and forced [Gardner] to have sex with him.”
The filing went on to claim that an “irate” Combs assaulted and choked Gardner at her home days later “to the point that she passed out.”
A spokesperson for Combs called the claims “fabricated” in a statement to Page Six, writing, “This is nothing but a money grab. Because of Mr. Combs’ fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit. … The public should be skeptical and not rush to accept these bogus allegations.”
Hall’s rep did not respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Jane Doe v. Sean Combs
In December 2023, Combs was accused of gang-raping and sex-trafficking a 17-year-old schoolgirl when she was in the 11th grade, according to a new court filing seen by Page Six.
Jane Doe claimed in the suit she was 17 when she was drugged and raped by the dad of seven, his longtime lieutenant Harve Pierre and another, as yet unnamed, man back in 2003.
The filing included a photo of the accuser, sitting on Combs’ lap when he was 34 and alleged the assault left her suffering “significant emotional distress and feels of shame that have plagued her life and personal relationships for 20 years.”
After allegedly boarding a private jet from Detroit to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, she then traveled to NYC to visit Combs’ music studio.
Once there, Jane Doe claimed in the suit that she was plied with drugs and alcohol by Combs, Pierre and a third assailant, who had flown with her and Pierre.
“As the night wore on, the 17-year-old Ms. Doe became more and more inebriated, eventually to the point that she could not possibly have consented to having sex with anyone, much less someone twice her age,” the lawsuit read.
Jane Doe claimed in the suit that she was raped first in a bathroom at the studios by Combs, who removed her underwear and forced himself on her as she “hung over” a sink.
“While at the studio, Ms. Doe was gang raped by Mr. Combs, the Third Assailant and Mr. Pierre, in that order,” the filing alleged.
“While Mr. Combs was raping Ms. Doe, he complained that he could not ‘get off’ unless she pinched his nipples as hard as she could.”
The filing alleged: “Mr. Combs then watched on as Third Assailant, who Ms. Doe had not even realized had begun to have sex with her, raped Ms. Doe as she told him to stop.
“After Third Assailant was finished, Mr. Pierre took his turn at raping Ms. Doe and then violently forced her to give him oral sex, during which Ms. Doe was choking and struggling to breathe.
“When Mr. Pierre finished, he left Ms. Doe in the bathroom alone. Ms. Doe fell into the fetal position and lay on the floor. Her vagina was in pain.”
Jane Doe claimed she could “barely stand up” following the alleged gang rape and was helped into a car, which took her back to the airport. She said she has a “limited” recollection of getting back to Michigan.
In a statement to Page Six, which he then posted on Instagram, Combs wrote: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy.”
The “It’s All About the Benjamins” rapper added: “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones Jr. v. Sean Combs
In February 2024, producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr. filed a $30 million lawsuit against Combs, accusing him and several of his employees of being part of an illegal racketeering enterprise.
Jones — who worked on Combs’ most recent album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” from September 2022 to November 2023 — alleged in his complaint that he has “irrefutable evidence of: (a) the acquisition, use, and distribution of ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana, and mushrooms; (b) the displaying and distribution of unregistered illegal firearms; and (c) the solicitation of minors and sex workers.”
Jones claimed Combs employed Instagram model Jade Ramey, City Girls rapper Yung Miami and 50 Cent’s ex Daphne Joy as sex workers and that a female accountant named Robin Greenhill “ensured the wiring, funds transfer, or cash payments to sex workers were completed.”
Ramey denied the allegations brought against her in Jones’ lawsuit against the music mogul.
“Dating someone doesn’t directly correlate to any of the false allegations made,” she told Entertainment Tonight in April 2024.
“Yes, I dated someone. How unfortunate we’ve entered a time where caring for someone or falling in love is worthy of scrutiny in the court of public opinion. What may be amusing for you is real life for others, and my feelings have never been for entertainment, nor are they up for discussion,” Ramey added.
“We need to be more conscious as a society when ridiculing people’s lives and relationships merely for enjoyment. I appreciate everyone’s kind messages and support during this time. Thank you.”
Yung Miami — born Caresha Brownlee — also denied the allegations, saying, “I’m not a prostitute. I never sold 🐱a day in my life. & I hate how this is getting spun 😣.”
Joy claimed Jones’ claims that she was a sex worker are “100% false and character assassination.”
Jones also accused Combs of sexual assault in the lawsuit, claiming he was “the victim of constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus by Mr. Combs” and was “uncomfortable with Mr. Combs’ advances.”
Jones alleged he complained about the incidents to Combs’ chief of staff, Kristina “KK” Khorram, who allegedly told him, “You know, Sean will be Sean” in response.
Jones also alleged in the suit that Combs tried to groom him into engaging in sex with fellow producer Steven “Stevie J” Jordan and “promised to make sure that Mr. Jones wins producer of the year at the Grammys if he engaged in homosexuality.”
Jones also alleged that Combs once left him alone in a makeshift studio on a yacht with actor Cuba Gooding Jr., who he said allegedly began “touching, groping, and fondling” his upper thighs near his groin.
In May 2024, the “Jerry Maguire” actor spoke out about Jones’ claims against him, saying he believed he was an easy target because of his previous cases. (In 2022, Gooding pleaded guilty to a forcible touching misdemeanor charge for non-consensually kissing a woman at a nightclub in 2018.)
“This guy who’s suing [Combs], is going after the money … I’m sure,” he said on Patrick Bet-David’s “The PBD Podcast.”
“And by the way, I don’t know P. Diddy’s life. I don’t know what he’s going through.”
Combs has also denied all of Jones’ allegations.
“Mr. Jones is nothing more than a con man, shamelessly looking for an easy and wholly undeserved payday,” the rapper’s attorney, Shawn Holley, said in a statement to the New York Times.
“We have indisputable, incontrovertible proof that his claims are complete fabrications. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn has refused to return our calls,” he added.
“We look forward to addressing these ridiculous claims in court and intend to take all appropriate action against all who are attempting to peddle them.”
Crystal McKinney v. Sean Combs
On May 21, 2024, former model Crystal McKinney filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Combs, claiming he forced her to give him oral sex following a Men’s Fashion Week event in 2003.
According to court docs obtained by TMZ, McKinney alleged she met the Bad Boy Records founder when he was 22 years old at Cipriani Downtown in NYC.
Combs then allegedly invited her back to his studio, where he and several of his friends began drinking Hennessy and passing around joints.
McKinney claimed the joint was “very powerful” and had been laced with another narcotic.
While she was in a state of delirium, Combs allegedly demanded McKinney to follow him to the bathroom.
Once inside, the “Bad Boy For Life” emcee allegedly forced himself on her and shoved her head down to his crotch before commanding her to “suck it.”
When McKinney refused, she claimed Combs allegedly pushed her head down farther and forced her to give him oral sex.
As a result of the alleged incident, McKinney claims she was blackballed by the modeling industry and suffered extremely bad depression, even attempting suicide a year later.
She claimed in her suit that she “saved the unwashed clothing from that night in her closet where they remain in a plastic wrap.”
McKinney is seeking unspecified damages.
Combs’ rep has not yet responded to Page Six’s request for comment.
April Lampros v. Sean Combs
On May 23, 2024, April Lampros filed a complaint against Combs accusing him of drugging and raping her in the ’90s.
According to TMZ, Lampros — who was a student at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology — claimed in the docs that the “I Need a Girl” rapper was mentoring her in the fashion industry.
She recalled meeting with Combs at a SoHo Bar in 1995, alleging he overpoured her alcohol and later took her back to his Millennium Hotel room.
Lampros said she felt “the walls were closing in on her” as the musician allegedly started to force himself on her.
She claimed she was unable to defend herself and woke up the following day “nude, sore and confused.”
According to the documents, Lampros kept her distance from Combs for months until he reached out and invited her to events in the music industry.
Lampros was described in the filing as a “hopeful yet naive college student and took Mr. Combs at his word and believed that the first rape was a possible mulligan and decided to give him a second chance.”
When Lampros headed to dinner with Combs, she claimed she was allegedly forced to perform oral sex on him in the parking garage.
According to the filing, she said a garage attendant spotted them, but Combs didn’t care.
After that night, Lampros dodged the “Last Night” emcee, which she claimed led him to become angry and develop a “mobster persona” as he threatened to blacklist her from the industry.
In 1996, Lampros said she was “ordered” to Combs’ apartment where she was introduced to his now ex-girlfriend Kim Porter.
She alleged ecstasy was forced down her throat and she was coerced to have sex with the former model as Combs masturbated.
Lampros claimed she was raped once again by the former Uptown Records talent director.
Two years later, Lampros said she finally cut Combs off for good when Porter, who died in November 2018, showed up at the restaurant she worked at, allegedly demanding that Lampros be fired or Combs would have the eatery closed.
As a result, Lampros said she was terminated.
At an event in 2023, Lampros claimed a man informed someone she was with that he had seen a tape of her allegedly having sex with Combs that was filmed without her consent.
Combs’ rep has not yet responded to Page Six’s request for comment.
Homeland Security home raids
Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles homes were raided by Homeland Security on March 25, 2024, in possible connection with an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.
According to footage obtained by Fox 11, federal law enforcement agents were seen arriving at the “Act Bad” rapper’s properties with guns drawn.
Combs’ two youngest sons, Justin and Christian, were seen in handcuffs as the feds swarmed their dad’s $40 million LA mansion.
“Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners,” a rep for Homeland Security Investigations told Page Six at the time.
“We will provide further information as it becomes available.”
While the raids were occurring, Combs was spotted at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. An insider told Page Six that Combs was planning to escape to the Bahamas to spend time with his twin daughters, Jessie and D’Lila, when he was stopped by the feds, who reportedly confiscated his phones.
Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, slammed the raids, calling them a “witch hunt.”
“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated,” Dyer told Page Six in a statement in March 2024.
“Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
