Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of the most influential figures in the music industry, is facing a dramatic fall from grace after being accused of orchestrating a decades-long web of abuse, coercion, and sex trafficking. Once celebrated as a business mogul, record producer, and hitmaker, Combs now finds himself at the centre of one of the most serious and wide-ranging legal scandals in the entertainment world. As he stands trial in New York in this long standing case, here is a breakdown of everything that has transpired over the years in connection to his legal troubles.
The saga began unfolding publicly in late 2023, when disturbing claims emerged from individuals who had once worked closely with him. Since then, over 100 people have come forward with accusations ranging from sexual assault and rape to threats, forced labour, and human trafficking—many of the claims involving minors. The nature of the allegations paints a chilling picture of a man who allegedly used his power, wealth, and influence to manipulate and harm individuals behind the scenes for over two decades.
The alleged victims include men and women from different walks of life—aspiring artists, former employees, models, and underage fans—some of whom claim they were lured with promises of fame or opportunities in the entertainment industry. At the heart of the scandal is a disturbing pattern of so-called “freak offs”: drug-fuelled parties where sexual acts were reportedly coerced and orchestrated by Combs and his team.
Despite his legal team’s repeated denials and assertions that the claims are false and opportunistic, the growing number of lawsuits—both civil and criminal—continues to mount. As jury selection begins in his federal trial, the timeline of events highlights how rapidly the allegations have escalated and how far-reaching their impact has become.
Initial Allegations and Legal Actions
November 16 2023: Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former long-term girlfriend, filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of a decade-long pattern of physical abuse, sexual violence, and coercion. The suit included disturbing claims of being forced into drug-fuelled orgies. It was settled a day later, but the public disclosure triggered a wave of similar allegations.
February 2024: Producer Rodney Jones Jr. filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs groped and sexually coerced him. Combs denied the claim through his legal team.
May 17 2024: CNN released hotel surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs assaulting Ventura, visually corroborating part of her lawsuit. Combs later posted a video apologising for the attack, calling his behaviour “inexcusable.”
May 21 2024: Model Crystal McKinney filed a lawsuit claiming she was drugged and raped by Combs in 2003. Days later, April Lampros accused him of multiple assaults between 1995 and 2000.
Escalation of Allegations
July 2024: Former adult actress Adria English filed a claim alleging she was trafficked at Combs’ parties between 2004 and 2009 after being groomed.
September 10 2024: A judge issued a default judgment of $100 million in a lawsuit brought by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith after Combs failed to attend a hearing. The judgment was later vacated.
September 11 2024: Dawn Richard, a former member of the group Danity Kane, alleged that Combs had sexually assaulted and abused her while she was signed to his label.
Criminal Charges and Arrest
September 16 2024: Combs was arrested in New York and indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. He was accused of operating a criminal organisation that enabled abuse and intimidation over a 20-year span.
September 17 2024: Prosecutors outlined their case, alleging that Combs used his music empire and inner circle to coerce victims, administer drugs, and orchestrate violent sex parties. Staff were allegedly complicit in organising travel and accommodations for victims.
Ongoing Legal Developments
September 24 2024: Combs was transferred to a special housing unit in federal custody. Around the same time, another woman accused him and his bodyguard of rape in 2001.
October 1 2024: Attorney Tony Buzbee announced he was representing 120 accusers, half of them men, including 25 minors. Combs’ lawyers strongly denied all claims.
October 14 2024: Six additional lawsuits were filed in New York, including one from a man who said he was 16 when assaulted by Combs. One woman claimed she was raped following a photoshoot.
October 15 2024: Ashley Parham accused Combs of raping her in retaliation for suggesting he was linked to Tupac Shakur’s murder.
October 21 2024: Seven more lawsuits were filed in federal court, including one from a victim who was just 13 years old at the time of the alleged assault.
October 29 2024: Two new lawsuits surfaced involving underage boys, one of whom was 10 when allegedly assaulted.
November 29 2024: Fashion designer Bryana Bongolan accused Combs of threatening to kill her and dangling her over a balcony during a violent outburst.
Additional Cases and Charges
December 13 2024: Combs dropped his bail appeal. Shortly thereafter, new lawsuits emerged—one from three men who claimed they were drugged and raped as recently as 2022, and another from LaTroya Grayson, who alleged she was assaulted at a party in 2006.
January 30 2025: Prosecutors expanded their case to include two more alleged victims but did not file new charges.
February 27–28 2025: Ten lawsuits were filed before the deadline of New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act. One male escort claimed Combs threatened him by referencing the murder of Tupac Shakur. Another accuser, Kirk Burrowes, alleged psychological manipulation and coercive behavior.
March 6 2025: Federal prosecutors amended the case to include forced labor allegations, stating that Combs threatened employees who refused to assist in his alleged trafficking operations.
March 14 2025: Combs’ legal team challenged the hotel hallway assault footage involving Ventura, claiming it had been edited. CNN denied any alteration of the video.
April 4 2025: Prosecutors filed new sex trafficking charges against Combs related to a woman allegedly coerced between 2021 and 2024. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 15 years. Combs pleaded not guilty.
May 5 2025: Today, Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing trial on these extensive allegations and criminal charges.
The saga began unfolding publicly in late 2023, when disturbing claims emerged from individuals who had once worked closely with him. Since then, over 100 people have come forward with accusations ranging from sexual assault and rape to threats, forced labour, and human trafficking—many of the claims involving minors. The nature of the allegations paints a chilling picture of a man who allegedly used his power, wealth, and influence to manipulate and harm individuals behind the scenes for over two decades.
The alleged victims include men and women from different walks of life—aspiring artists, former employees, models, and underage fans—some of whom claim they were lured with promises of fame or opportunities in the entertainment industry. At the heart of the scandal is a disturbing pattern of so-called “freak offs”: drug-fuelled parties where sexual acts were reportedly coerced and orchestrated by Combs and his team.
Despite his legal team’s repeated denials and assertions that the claims are false and opportunistic, the growing number of lawsuits—both civil and criminal—continues to mount. As jury selection begins in his federal trial, the timeline of events highlights how rapidly the allegations have escalated and how far-reaching their impact has become.
Initial Allegations and Legal Actions
November 16 2023: Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former long-term girlfriend, filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of a decade-long pattern of physical abuse, sexual violence, and coercion. The suit included disturbing claims of being forced into drug-fuelled orgies. It was settled a day later, but the public disclosure triggered a wave of similar allegations.
February 2024: Producer Rodney Jones Jr. filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs groped and sexually coerced him. Combs denied the claim through his legal team.
May 17 2024: CNN released hotel surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs assaulting Ventura, visually corroborating part of her lawsuit. Combs later posted a video apologising for the attack, calling his behaviour “inexcusable.”
May 21 2024: Model Crystal McKinney filed a lawsuit claiming she was drugged and raped by Combs in 2003. Days later, April Lampros accused him of multiple assaults between 1995 and 2000.
Escalation of Allegations
July 2024: Former adult actress Adria English filed a claim alleging she was trafficked at Combs’ parties between 2004 and 2009 after being groomed.
September 10 2024: A judge issued a default judgment of $100 million in a lawsuit brought by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith after Combs failed to attend a hearing. The judgment was later vacated.
September 11 2024: Dawn Richard, a former member of the group Danity Kane, alleged that Combs had sexually assaulted and abused her while she was signed to his label.
Criminal Charges and Arrest
September 16 2024: Combs was arrested in New York and indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. He was accused of operating a criminal organisation that enabled abuse and intimidation over a 20-year span.
September 17 2024: Prosecutors outlined their case, alleging that Combs used his music empire and inner circle to coerce victims, administer drugs, and orchestrate violent sex parties. Staff were allegedly complicit in organising travel and accommodations for victims.
Ongoing Legal Developments
September 24 2024: Combs was transferred to a special housing unit in federal custody. Around the same time, another woman accused him and his bodyguard of rape in 2001.
October 1 2024: Attorney Tony Buzbee announced he was representing 120 accusers, half of them men, including 25 minors. Combs’ lawyers strongly denied all claims.
October 14 2024: Six additional lawsuits were filed in New York, including one from a man who said he was 16 when assaulted by Combs. One woman claimed she was raped following a photoshoot.
October 15 2024: Ashley Parham accused Combs of raping her in retaliation for suggesting he was linked to Tupac Shakur’s murder.
October 21 2024: Seven more lawsuits were filed in federal court, including one from a victim who was just 13 years old at the time of the alleged assault.
October 29 2024: Two new lawsuits surfaced involving underage boys, one of whom was 10 when allegedly assaulted.
November 29 2024: Fashion designer Bryana Bongolan accused Combs of threatening to kill her and dangling her over a balcony during a violent outburst.
Additional Cases and Charges
December 13 2024: Combs dropped his bail appeal. Shortly thereafter, new lawsuits emerged—one from three men who claimed they were drugged and raped as recently as 2022, and another from LaTroya Grayson, who alleged she was assaulted at a party in 2006.
January 30 2025: Prosecutors expanded their case to include two more alleged victims but did not file new charges.
February 27–28 2025: Ten lawsuits were filed before the deadline of New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act. One male escort claimed Combs threatened him by referencing the murder of Tupac Shakur. Another accuser, Kirk Burrowes, alleged psychological manipulation and coercive behavior.
March 6 2025: Federal prosecutors amended the case to include forced labor allegations, stating that Combs threatened employees who refused to assist in his alleged trafficking operations.
March 14 2025: Combs’ legal team challenged the hotel hallway assault footage involving Ventura, claiming it had been edited. CNN denied any alteration of the video.
April 4 2025: Prosecutors filed new sex trafficking charges against Combs related to a woman allegedly coerced between 2021 and 2024. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 15 years. Combs pleaded not guilty.
May 5 2025: Today, Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing trial on these extensive allegations and criminal charges.
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