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Attorney Tony Buzbee announces that he is representing 120 accusers alleging sexual abuse by Sean "Diddy" Combs during a press conference in Houston on Tuesday. |
Attorney Tony Buzbee said Tuesday that he is representing 120 people, including 25 minors, who accuse
hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs of sexual abuse. The allegations span more than two decades, and Buzbee warned that other well-known figures are implicated. "You can't hide skeletons in the closet forever," he said.
Buzbee said the alleged abuses occurred at various events, including private parties and industry gatherings. He said drugs, including the horse tranquilizer xylazine, were often involved. "Ninety percent of the assaults involved drugs," Buzbee said. "Victims reported being lured into situations where they were drugged and then sexually exploited."
The attorney, known for representing victims in high-profile cases such as the Astroworld tragedy, said many accusers were seeking opportunities in the entertainment industry.
The accusations against Combs, 54, follow his arrest by federal agents in mid-September on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. Combs, who remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Erica Wolff, has called the allegations "meritless" and part of a "reckless media circus." Wolff said Combs "categorically denies any claim of sexual abuse, including against minors."
Buzbee said he plans to file individual lawsuits, not a class action. "This conduct has spanned more than 25 years, with some incidents dating back to 1991," he said. He noted that most cases will likely be filed in New York and California, where "look-back windows" allow for lawsuits involving sexual abuse outside the typical statute of limitations.
Among the allegations is that of a 9-year-old boy who was allegedly assaulted by Combs during an audition at his Bad Boy Records office in Manhattan. "This individual was sexually abused, allegedly by Combs and several others, in the promise of a record deal," Buzbee said.
Buzbee said his clients, a mix of men and women, reported being subjected to violent and degrading sexual acts at parties hosted by Combs, including his "White Parties" and "Freak Off" events.
Buzbee said he is working to corroborate the accounts and has received evidence in the form of photos, videos, and texts. Some victims have spoken with the FBI.
Wolff reiterated Combs' intention to "prove his innocence" in court. "Mr. Combs looks forward to establishing the truth based on evidence, not speculation," she said.
Buzbee said the lawsuits will be filed in the next 30 days. He warned that the list of defendants will include "high-profile names, corporate entities, and individuals who enabled or turned a blind eye to the abuse." He said, "The names we are going to reveal will shock you."
Combs' next court appearance is pending.