Day: October 14, 2024

Six new accusers of Sean “Diddy” Combs have filed lawsuits against the music mogul, alleging rape, sexual abuse and sexual assault.

Two Jane Does and four John Does filed civil lawsuits against Combs, 54, in New York on Monday, marking the first accusers of 120 alleged victims with claims against Combs, which Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee announced earlier this month.

The cases include alleged incidents from 1995 through 2021, including the alleged sexual assault of a minor and multiple allegations of rape. Several of the assaults are alleged to have occurred at the infamous parties that Combs became known for throughout his three decades in the music industry.

The lawsuits name Combs’ various businesses as defendants. One of the men, who accuses Combs of sexually assaulting him in a Macy’s in 2008, lists the department store as a defendant, and one of the women, who says Combs raped her in a hotel, lists Marriott as a defendant. USA TODAY has reached out to Macy’s, Marriott and Combs’ reps for comment.

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Buzbee revealed in an Oct. 1 press conference that he is representing the 120 accusers, with allegations of “violent sexual assault or rape,” “facilitated sex with a controlled substance,” “dissemination of video recordings” and “sexual abuse of minors” against the embattled businessman, among other offenses.

“We will expose the enablers who enabled this conduct behind closed doors,” Buzbee said at the time. “We will pursue this matter no matter who the evidence implicates.”

Buzbee added: “It’s a long list already, but because of the nature of this case, we are going to make damn sure that we’re right before we do that. But the names that we’re going to name … are names that will shock you.”

Combs has denied all allegations brought against him. An attorney for Combs previously said in a statement, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone. We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason and without any proof. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail against these and other baseless claims in court.”

This new wave of legal action follows Combs’ September arrest and subsequent arraignment for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution charges; he is set to face a criminal trial May 5. The rapper, who has maintained his innocence amid an avalanche of civil lawsuits filed over the past year alleging decades of sexual and physical abuse, remains in custody at the Special Housing Unit at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly raped woman at NY hotel

One Jane Doe accuses Combs of raping her in a Manhattan Marriott hotel room in 2004 when she was 19 years old.

The accuser says she initially met Combs at a photoshoot, where the rapper invited her and her friend to his hotel for an exclusive party. At the hotel, Jane Doe says a man “grabbed” her and her friend and brought them to a bedroom, telling them, “You know what you are here for.”

In the bedroom, the door to which was locked, Combs allegedly became “aggressive” with the two women and “eventually began forcibly touch them without consent,” the lawsuit says. He then allegedly ordered the accuser’s friend to perform oral sex on him “or else he would have them both killed.”

Combs also forced Jane Doe to take her clothes off under the threat of violence and “fondled, molested, and ultimately raped Ms. Doe, all while she was begging him to stop,” the suit alleges.

Diddy, multiple men raped unnamed man at 2021 party, lawsuit says

One man claims he was drugged and assaulted by Combs and multiple other unnamed men at a 2021 party.

The John Doe’s lawsuit says he “became disoriented” after consuming an alcoholic drink at the party in New York, and while in a state of confusion and trying to leave, he heard a male voice saying “hold on” and promising to help him. The accuser then remembers being in a bedroom, unable to move or speak.

“Multiple men began to sexually assault him through sodomy and other forced acts,” the lawsuit says. “He distinctly recalls seeing Combs above him, naked, at one point during the assault,” and he “was sodomized by at least three men.”

Sean John, Ecko feud was backdrop of sexual assault, unnamed man alleges

In another lawsuit, a man claims he was sexually assaulted by Diddy in a Macy’s store in New York in 2008.

The man says he worked as an advisor for the clothing line Ecko Clothing, a competitor of Combs’ Sean John clothing line. He alleges he was in the stockroom at a Macy’s in Manhattan in 2008 when Combs and three bodyguards entered.

After turning a corner in the stockroom, the John Doe “was hit hard around the base of the neck, possibly with a pistol,” the lawsuit says, which forced him “to his hands and knees” where “he saw that each of the bodyguards had guns in their waistbands. (John Doe) heard multiple voices call out things like ‘I’ll kill you.'”

Combs then allegedly approached the man while he was on his hands and knees and “proceeded to forcefully, and brutally, orally rape” him for at least two minutes while making derogatory comments.

“After he was finished, Combs threw (John Doe’s) head aside and said words to the effect of ‘shut up or I’ll kill you,'” the lawsuit says.

Security guard claims drugging, sexual assault at Diddy party

Yet another John Doe alleges Combs sexually assaulted him at a party in 2006.

The man says he was working for a security firm at the time and accepted a job at a Combs “white party” in East Hampton. He says he “began to feel extremely ill” at the party after consuming two alcoholic drinks that were provided to him by Combs.

As the man was disoriented, he claims Combs “forcibly pushed” him into an open van, held him down and sexually assaulted him.

Biggie Smalls music video party was site of alleged rape, lawsuit claims

In another lawsuit, a woman says she attended a promotional party in New York in 1995 for the Biggie Smalls music video “One More Chance,” where Combs approached her and asked to speak with her. When they were alone in a bathroom, he “unexpectedly began kissing” her, she says.

When she tried to pull away, the woman alleges Combs “violently struck her, slamming her head against the wall and causing her to fall to the floor.” He then allegedly hit her again, lifted her dress and raped her. After the assault, Combs allegedly threatened the woman by warning, “You better not tell anyone about this, or you will disappear.”

Unnamed male minor claims he was assaulted at Diddy White Party

Another accuser says he was 16 years old when he was sexually assaulted by Combs at a Hamptons “white party” in 1998.

At the party, the man alleges Combs instructed him to “drop his pants and expose his penis so that Combs could inspect it,” claiming this is a “rite of passage and the route to becoming a star.” Combs then allegedly grabbed the man’s genitals.

“As a result of Combs’ sexual assault onto John Doe while he was a minor, John Doe experienced damages including pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment and emotional torment,” the lawsuit says. “The interaction continues to humiliate and cause shame on John Doe.”

This story has been updated to include additional information.

Contributing: Anika Reed, Jay Stahl and Edward Segarra

The armed rallygoer accused of plotting a possible third assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is a self-described MAGA supporter and registered Republican who once tried, but failed, to launch a political career in Nevada.

Details about Vem Miller’s background are emerging after the 49-year-old was taken into custody on weapons charges after he was stopped at a security checkpoint at Trump’s Coachella Valley rally Saturday.

Local authorities say they believe they thwarted yet another assassination attempt against the Republican presidential nominee after Miller was allegedly busted with loaded firearms, multiple passports and a fake license plate.

But Miller, who has since been released on $5,000 bail, slammed the accusations as “bulls–t.”

Here’s what we know so far about Miller in the wake of his arrest:

What is his political affiliation?

Miller, who is a Las Vegas resident, is a registered Republican — and proudly calls himself a supporter “all in” on Trump.

“Yes, I’m 100% a Trump supporter,” he told Fox News Digital as he rebutted the claim from authorities that he planned to kill the 45th president.

“This is a man that I deeply admire.”

After his arrest this weekend, local cops accused Miller of being part of a so-called sovereign citizens movement — a far-right collective built on conspiracy theories that say governments have no authority over them.

Miller denied that in interviews, even telling Fox News he doesn’t “think there’s such a thing.”

“Government is an inanimate object, it’s the individuals within government that matter, so no, I’m not a part of any of that,” Miller said.

“They’re saying that I’m part of these right-wing anti-government groups? Why aren’t they naming these groups? Because it doesn’t exist.”

What is his background?

Miller is a film and TV industry professional who has long railed against the US government and mainstream media, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“For 20 years +, I have been working in the media as an investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, and a content producer … I have seen our rights be taken, while the power of big government grows,” his bio on the work-focused site states.

“I have seen small businesses and the middle class be squashed. I have seen unlawful mandates and politicians acting like dictators. I have also seen how the power of the money flows through politics and a political class that no longer works for We The People.”

In 2022, he created the American Happens Network — with the motto “Rage against the mainstream media” — which plays host to his politically aligned podcast called “Blood Money.”

The podcast focuses on “corruption, controversy and conspiracy — topics the Mainstream media will not touch,” according to its website.

Miller also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in English and creative writing, his LinkedIn shows.

His failed political bid

Miller ran as a GOP candidate for state assembly in Nevada in 2022 — but ultimately lost the primary.

At the time, he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he was running for office because “this country has been taken over by tyranny.”

He had vowed to focus on alleged voter fraud and would work on strengthening voter ID laws and reimplementing paper ballots.

He also told the outlet that he supported increased electric car manufacturing in his state, as well as solar energy.

What happened at the Trump rally?

Miller was stopped by sheriff’s deputies at a security checkpoint outside the rally around 5 p.m. local time Saturday, authorities said.

He had allegedly tried to enter the rally with a phony press pass.

Cops searched his black SUV after realizing the vehicle was unregistered and discovered a cache of fake passports and driver’s licenses, along with a shotgun, a loaded handgun and a high-capacity magazine, officials said.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said in the aftermath that he “truly” believed his department halted an assassination attempt, though he acknowledged it was “speculation.”

“What his frame of mind was, all we can do is speculate,” Bianco said. “If you’re asking me right now, I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt.”

Neither the Secret Service nor the FBI has said the incident was a planned assassination attempt.

What was he charged with?

Miller was hit with charges of possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine, both misdemeanors.

He was subsequently released on $5,000 bail. 

No federal charges have been filed.

What has the suspect said about the allegations?

A “shocked” Miller quickly slammed his arrest, as well as the sheriff’s claim he was plotting to assassinate Trump, as “bulls–t.”

“These accusations are complete bulls–t,” Miller told the Southern California News Group. “I’m an artist, I’m the last person that would cause any violence and harm to anybody.”

Miller, who insisted he was unaware of the different gun laws between Nevada and California, said he was invited to the rally by the head of the Clark County GOP — and was wearing a Trump shirt and hat when he ran into authorities at the checkpoint.

He claimed in an interview with Fox News that he brought in the weapons for personal protection because of death threats he’s received since launching his America Happens Network.

“I always travel around with my firearms in the back of my truck,” he told the outlet, adding that he has “never” shot a gun in his life.

Miller also denied the sheriff’s claim he had a stash of fake passports on him.

“None of those are fake,” he said, adding that he is Armenian and has documents that show his full Armenian name and ones that don’t.