Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. ”
February 2024: Accusations of grooming
Music producer Rodney Jones Jr, who produced nine tracks on 2023s The Love Album, sued Combs in February 2024, accusing the star of making unwanted sexual contact and forcing him to hire prostitutes and participate in sex acts with them.
In court papers filed in New York, Mr Jones also claimed that Combs tried to “groom” him into having sex with another man, telling him it was “a normal practice in the music industry”.
Combs lawyer, Shawn Holley, called Mr Jones “nothing more than a liar” and described his claims as “pure fiction”.
17 May 2024: Cassie assault video leaked
CCTV footage emerged showing Combs assaulting Cassie in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
The pictures, broadcast by CNN, showed Ms Ventura being pushed to the floor and kicking her while she was on the ground. ”
Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges.
October and November 2024: More than 100 new assault allegations
A lawyer said more than 100 people plan to sue Combs for sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.
Tony Buzbee said he was representing 120 people, half of whom were men, and 25 of whom were minors – the first time Combs has been accused of sexually abusing children. In legal papers, Burrowes alleged that, on multiple occasions, Combs summoned him to his office where, upon arrival, he would find the musician engaging in sexual acts.
Burrowes claimed “Combs orchestrated these encounters as a means of psychologically breaking down Plaintiffs resistance and establishing his submission”.
Combs lawyers dismissed the flurry of new claims. Prosecutors alleged that Combs used force, fraud or coercion to recruit, harbour and transport the woman across state lines, with the intent of engaging in prostitution between 2021 and 2024.
Combs appeared in court on 14 May to plead not guilty.
26 April 2025: Diddys swinger lifestyle defence before trial
At a pre-trial hearing, Combs lawyers laid the foundations of their defence – arguing that the rapper led a “swinger” lifestyle, but that this was not criminal.
His attorneys told the court the rap mogul thought it “appropriate” and commonplace to have multiple sexual partners, including sex workers.
Separately, federal prosecutors revealed to the court that Combs had rejected their offer of a plea deal.
12 May 2025: Trial begins as Diddy accused of using fame and violence to abuse
The court heard opening statements from the prosecution, who accused Combs of using fame and violence to abuse women.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson focused on two central alleged victims – Combs former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and another unnamed former girlfriend, known as “Jane”.
She told the jury that Combs would order sex acts and engage in a pattern of violent, sexual behaviour.
This included threatening to damage Ms Venturas music career as a way to force her to perform non-consensual, humiliating sexual acts with male prostitutes, during “freak-offs” filmed by Combs.
The rappers attorneys defended his “swinger” lifestyle and rejected sex trafficking claims.
Lawyers for Mr Combs said the infamous hallway video was evidence of Combs “flawed” character, including domestic abuse, but not of a larger criminal enterprise.
“Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” argued Teny Geragos, Combs attorney.
He added that the government had overstepped with its charges and were trying to portray consensual sex between adults as evidence of crimes.
13 May 2025: Cassie takes the stand with emotional testimony
The R&B star took the witness stand for four days, describing in emotional detail the years of beatings and drug-fuelled sex encounters with prostitutes that she allegedly endured at the hands of Combs, who she dated for more than a decade.
The relationship, although initially loving, quickly became coercive she said, and violence followed.
Ms Ventura testified that the hotel hallway incident took place after she tried to leave a “freak-off”.
She said that while she initially participated in these sexual encounters with escorts to please him, they eventually left her feeling “worthless”.
She estimated these happened “hundreds” of times throughout their relationship and would sometimes last as long as four days.
The strain would force her to take drugs to stay awake and cause physical injuries and urinary tract infections.
The trauma, she testified, pushed her to the brink of suicide.
In response, Combs defence team confronted Ms Ventura with text messages in an attempt to show she had been a willing participant.
The singer pushed back, saying she felt she had no choice but to comply.
22 May 2025: Kid Cudi testifies over break-in and torched Porsche
US rapper Kid Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, took the stand to testify about Combs jealous rage when the mogul found out he was dating Cassie Ventura.
Mr Mescudi alleged that Combs broke into his home and bombed his Porsche with a Molotov cocktail.
The star said he rushed home following a call from his dogsitter to find a hole cut in the cars roof, with an explosive inside. But while the verdict has been delivered hes yet to learn exactly how long he might spend in prison as a result.
