Sean 'Diddy' Combs sued for alleged sexual assault of child actor
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing allegations of sexually assaulting a minor nearly two decades ago.
An anonymous John Doe filed a lawsuit against the rapper, 56, who is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence for federal sex-crimes charges, alleging the embattled hip-hop mogul inappropriately touched him and gave him alcohol as a child actor.
The documents, filed in a Los Angeles court Monday, June 8, and obtained by USA TODAY, say the alleged incident occurred in 2007 at a networking event in the Hollywood Hills, where Combs met the anonymous accuser, who was working as a child actor at the time, and asked him to speak in private about career opportunities.
But the accuser says Combs brought him to "the back rooms" of the venue, where the Grammy-winning producer gave him alcohol, according to the docs. Combs then allegedly began to "touch" and "rub" the minor before allegedly performing oral sex on the accuser while "simultaneously touching himself," despite the minor telling Combs he was uncomfortable, he alleges.
Combs allegedly told the minor he would "see where they would go from there for the role he had in mind" for a future project and left the room.
Juda Engelmayer, a representative for Combs, addressed the new lawsuit in a statement to USA TODAY: "The allegations from this so-called nameless child actor are false and ridiculous. He's just another hater in a long list of people trying to get in on the money gravy train encouraged by personal injury lawyers. Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone – and that includes any child! These allegations will be disproved like all the rest."
In addition to Combs, other defendants in the case include the talent agents allegedly hired to represent the man as a child actor. The filing alleges they were negligent to put him in a position to "encounter powerful adult industry figures" when his age would potentially make him "vulnerable to manipulation, coercion, exploitation, and abuse."
The filing further alleges the agents knew about Combs' allegedly "sexually deviant propensities and prior sexually predatory misconduct" and "failed to take any preventive action" to protect the minor, such as arranging for "an adult chaperone."
The man also alleges childhood sexual assault, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision of a minor and false imprisonment. He is asking for an unspecified amount in damages, costs and fees, along with a jury trial.
A look back at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal trouble
In November 2023, Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura filed a civil lawsuit alleging he trafficked, sexually assaulted and physically abused her during their decade-long relationship. While they later reached a settlement, Combs' attorneys have said the suit kicked off a federal investigation into his alleged behavior, resulting in a criminal trial last year.
On July 2, Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution relating to Ventura Fine and another former girlfriend "Jane."
Dozens of others have filed civil lawsuits against Combs alleging sexual assault, abuse and trafficking, dating back to the 1990s. Combs has denied all misconduct claims.
A new case involving Combs is currently "under review" by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, spokesperson Venusse Dunn confirmed to USA TODAY on June 1.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.