Two more sexual assault lawsuits were filed this week against Sean “Diddy” Combs, both accusing the billionaire of grooming, sexual misconduct and threats of retaliation that took place when the plaintiffs were minors. These two lawsuits are separate cases, but both claim that Combs abused his power and influence, coercing minors into sexual activity with the promise of stardom in the music industry.

These suits add to the deluge of more than 20 civil lawsuits filed against the music and media giant over the past year and pending federal charges against Combs for sex trafficking and racketeering, but stand out because that they are the youngest of Combs’ alleged victims so far. .

In the first lawsuit, a John Doe plaintiff accuses Combs of molesting him in a New York hotel in 2005, when the plaintiff was just 10 years old. The anonymous accuser, who currently resides in California, says he dreamed of becoming a rapper and/or actor at the time. Her parents hired a career consultant to help her, who suggested she fly to New York to meet industry power players like Combs. According to the filing, when the plaintiff arrived, the consultant arranged for him to have an “audition” for Combs in a New York hotel room. During the meeting, the plaintiff was left alone with Combs and after performing a few rap songs, Combs said he could “make him a star.” The complainant was given a soda and after drinking it he began to feel dizzy. The complainant believes the drink was laced with drugs, “including but not limited to GHB and/or ecstasy.”

Once Doe felt unsteady, the complaint says Combs pushed the boy onto the hotel room bed. Combs then took his penis out of his pants and told the 10-year-old boy to “kiss it” before forcing it into the boy’s mouth. The boy fainted from shock and fear. When the plaintiff regained consciousness, Combs was still in the room and “the boy’s pants were undone, and his anus and buttocks were very sore.” Combs told the complainant he would hurt his parents if he told anyone what happened. The filing says the plaintiff did so shortly afterward anyway, but, at the time, the family was so afraid of the consequences of reporting Combs that they didn’t come forward.

In a separate filing, a victim of John Doe claims he was 17 when Combs sexually assaulted him multiple times during a series of encounters. Around 2008, the boy participated in a three-day audition for Diddy’s hit MTV series, Make the group. According to the suit, the plaintiff saw the opportunity online and through newspaper ads and believed it was his chance to break into the music industry. During the audition process, the plaintiff got to a point where the candidates met individually in private rooms with Combs and his bodyguard.

During his first one-on-one interview with Combs, the plaintiff says the mogul began asking him hypothetical questions about responding to sexual pressure. While asking John Doe questions, Combs began fondling the plaintiff’s genitals and masturbating. “Combs emphasized his power of control over Plaintiff’s future in the music industry, asserting that he had the ability to make or break his career,” the lawsuit details. During another interview with Combs, the plaintiff was instructed to strip naked and prove he could be a “sex idol” within the group. Combs then allegedly forced the 17-year-old boy to perform oral sex and sodomized him. During a third meeting, Combs allegedly introduced the complainant to his bodyguard, named “T,” and forced the boy to also perform oral sex on “T.” According to the suit, “Combs presented this as a test of Plaintiff’s willingness to do whatever is necessary to succeed in the music industry.” » When the complainant showed hesitation, Combs said he was not trustworthy. Shortly after performing oral sex on the bodyguard, the plaintiff claims he was eliminated from the audition process and was unable to enter the music industry for several years.

These latest cases were filed in New York Supreme Court by the Tony Buzbee law firm – the same Texas-based firm that made headlines last month by announcing it would represent more than 100 alleged victims against Combs.

In response to these latest lawsuits, Combs maintains, through his lawyers, that he has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone – “male or female, adult or minor.” Combs’ legal team further claimed that “the attorney behind this lawsuit is interested in media attention rather than the truth, as his constant appearances in the press and his 1-800 number,” and said they were fully confident in proving their client’s innocence. through the legal process.

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