Diddy news: Prosecutors add new charges to criminal case in indictment
Embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was hit with two additional sex crimes charges ahead of his May trial in New York City.
Sean “Diddy” Combs was a consummate host as much as he was a musical savant.
Before his ascent to music stardom as the head of Bad Boy Records, Combs honed his entrepreneurial moxie as a party promoter during his college years at Howard University, where he organized weekly dance parties.
As the savvy media mogul attained status across pop music, fashion and television, his lively shindigs became extravagant industry soirees. His annual White Party, a once-coveted draw for Hollywood A-listers, ran for over a decade in hot spots that included New York, Los Angeles and even the south of France.
But in hindsight, the glitter of Combs’ showmanship allegedly obscured some darker realities for those in his social orbit.
Since Combs became the subject of dozens of lawsuits alleging sexual violence and other misconduct, numerous former associates have spoken out about the alleged abuse that transpired at the record executive’s parties, including several instances of sexual assault. Combs has denied all allegations against him.
The Grammy-winning rapper is also facing a federal trial, slated to begin May 5, following his September 2024 arrest on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the five criminal counts he faces.
Here are some of the biggest allegations from his accusers.
Cassie Ventura at freak offs
In her November 2023 lawsuit against Combs, singer and actress Casandra “Cassie” Ventura alleged she was sexually victimized by the rapper during several “freak off” parties.
Freak offs, which are cited in Combs’ federal indictment, were allegedly smaller events during which Combs is accused of directing and coercing people into having sex with commercial sex workers.
Ventura, who entered into a decadelong relationship with Combs when she was 19, also claimed in her now-settled lawsuit that she was subjected to physical violence from Combs during the forced encounters as well as plied with numerous drugs, among them ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and marijuana.
Cassie sues Diddy: Music mogul accused of sex trafficking, rape and physical abuse
John Doe at 1998 White Party
A man who allegedly attended Combs’ inaugural White Party in 1998 as a teen claimed he was sexually assaulted by the rapper, according to an October 2024 lawsuit.
The accuser, identified anonymously as John Doe, said he was 16 at the time of the alleged incident, during which Combs instructed him to “drop his pants and expose his penis so that Combs could inspect it.” Combs, who reportedly claimed the sexual act was a “rite of passage,” then allegedly grabbed the young 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 stated.
Man alleges Diddy sexual assault at first-ever White Party
Joseph Manzaro at Diddy’s son’s birthday party
Joseph Manzaro, a man who claims Combs targeted him during a 2015 revenge plot, said in an April 2025 lawsuit that he was sexually exploited by the rapper at a Miami birthday party for Combs’ son Christian “King” Combs.
At Combs’ request, Manzaro was allegedly undressed and placed inside a shower area, where he was forcibly washed by two unidentified women, per the complaint. The man was also reportedly required to wear a “black leather mask with a rubber dam forcibly inserted” and forced to perform “degrading and non-consensual acts.”
Combs’ legal team denied Manzaro’s allegations in a statement to USA TODAY at the time, adding that the lawsuit “demonstrates the depraved lengths plaintiffs will travel to garner headlines in pursuit of a payday.”
Joseph Manzaro lawsuit: Diddy accused of drugging, ‘sexually maiming’ man
John Doe at 2015 LA afterparty
A former singer who was allegedly in talks with Combs’ Bad Boy Records claimed in a February 2025 lawsuit that the music mogul sexually assaulted him at a 2015 afterparty in Los Angeles.
The man, who is anonymously identified as John Doe in the complaint, alleged Combs — through an associate who spoke with Doe — promised the young artist a record deal with Bad Boy and studio time with Combs pending Doe’s performance at QC’s 20/20, a nightclub and concert venue in Montebello, California.
Former musician sues Diddy for alleged 2015 assault
However, while attending an afterparty at the club, the up-and-coming musician was allegedly groped by Combs after he was sent an alcoholic drink by the rapper that seemingly caused him to lose consciousness for a period of time.
Although Doe, then 23, reportedly attempted to resist Combs’ sexual advances, the music mogul allegedly threatened Doe, telling him he could “easily contact his manager and ruin any chances he had of succeeding in the music industry.”
Phillip Pines at Wild King Nights
Phillip Pines, an alleged former employee of Combs, accused the rapper of sexual battery in a December 2024 lawsuit, according to TMZ and Variety.
Part of Pines’ alleged responsibilities included setting up rooms for sex parties that Combs referred to as “Wild King Nights” — arranging “red lights, ice buckets, alcohol, marijuana joints, honey packs for male libido, baby oil,” sex toys, drugs and more.
Pines, who worked for Combs from 2019 to 2021, also claimed Combs pressured him to have sex with a female guest during one incident. The man said he complied briefly but stopped and left the room upset.
Phillip Pines lawsuit: Diddy sued by former male employee for sexual battery
John Doe at 2006 White Party
In an October 2024 lawsuit, a man who allegedly worked at one of Combs’ White Parties said the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted him.
The individual, anonymously identified as John Doe, was working for a security firm in 2006 when he accepted a job at a Combs’ White Party in East Hampton, New York.
While at the event, Doe said he “began to feel extremely ill” after consuming two alcoholic drinks that were provided to him by Combs. Amid his allegedly intoxicated state, the man claimed Combs “forcibly pushed” him into an open van, held him down and assaulted him.
Man accuses Diddy of White Party assault in the Hamptons
Leslie Cockrell at 1999 New York party
Leslie Cockrell, who claims she was drugged and assaulted by Combs at a Hamptons party in 1999, sued Combs in a February 2025 legal complaint.
Cockrell, then 24, alleged the music mogul approached her at the event and gave her a tour of the house, where people were engaging in “sexual activities.” After her second drink, Cockrell began to feel light-headed, which the suit alleged was due to her drink being spiked with the drug Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, aka GHB.
When Cockrell went to lie down, the filing claims Combs entered the room with another man naked and began masturbating and touching her without consent. She later reportedly woke up in a car outside the property with a sore body and face, as if she had been beaten.
The filing alleged the security guard who drove Cockrell home told her to accept what had happened and be grateful Combs had chosen her.
Leslie Cockrell lawsuit: Woman accuses Diddy of 1999 sexual assault
Jane Doe at 2004 Fourth of July Party
In a November 2024 lawsuit, a woman claimed Combs sexually assaulted her at 17 while attending the rapper’s 2004 Fourth of July party in the Hamptons.
The woman, identified anonymously as Jane Doe, said she drank a drugged alcoholic drink while attending Combs’ party, which allegedly caused her to lose consciousness.
Doe alleged she woke up after the incident with “throbbing pains in her vaginal and anal areas” and was later threatened by Combs and his bodyguards. She said she was able to leave the party by “agreeing not to contact the police in exchange for the return of her purse and phone.”
Woman accuses Diddy of sexually assaulting her at 17
Jane Doe at 2000 VMAs afterparty
In an October 2024 lawsuit, a woman accused Combs of raping her at 13 during an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
The woman, identified anonymously as Jane Doe, was allegedly invited to the party by Combs’ limousine driver. After accepting a “bitter” drink she claimed was drugged, Doe entered an empty bedroom to lie down when Combs and two unnamed celebrities entered. The woman alleged Combs and another male celebrity each raped her during the encounter while a female celebrity looked on.
Woman accuses Diddy of sexually assaulting her at 13
Per the complaint, Combs also allegedly tried to force Doe to perform oral sex on him, but after the teen hit him, he stopped. In an amended lawsuit, Doe named rap superstar Jay-Z as the other male celebrity, a claim he vehemently denied.
The woman dropped her lawsuit against Combs and Jay-Z in February 2025. When reached by USA TODAY, Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, declined to comment on the dismissal. Jay-Z is now suing the woman.
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.
Contributing: Marco della Cava, Anika Reed, Jay Stahl, Taijuan Moorman, Brendan Morrow, Anna Kaufman and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
