What Did Diddy Do? Sex Trafficking, Drug Mule Allegations Explained

Two homes belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs were raided by Homeland Security on Monday, the latest development in months of legal battles for the rapper.

Combs has been hit by multiple sexual assault and trafficking allegations since November of last year, with the hip-hop star’s alleged “drug mule” reportedly arrested following the searches of his Miami and Los Angeles’ homes.

Combs has denied all the claims.

Here is every accusation and lawsuit the music mogul is currently facing. Newsweek has reached out to Combs for comment via email.

November 2023: R&B Singer Cassie Sues Diddy for Rape and Physical Abuse

In November, Combs’ ex-partner Cassie Ventura, better known as R&B star Cassie, accused him of rape and physical abuse during their relationship, filing a civil case against the 54-year-old.

The former couple were first linked in 2007, two years after Ventura was signed to Combs’ Bad Boy Records label. They dated on and off for 11 years, splitting for good in 2018.

In Ventura’s lawsuit, the now 37-year-old singer alleged that Combs physically and emotionally abused her and used his industry connections to prevent her from leaving him.

Describing the relationship as a “cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking,” Ventura claimed that Combs introduced her to drugs and would force her to have sex with male prostitutes, recording the encounters on camera.

Four of Combs’ companies—Bad Boy Records, Epic Records, Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Enterprises—were cited as defendants in the case, with Ventura accusing employees and associates of standing by while the rapper physically abused her.

“These beatings were witnessed by Mr. Combs’ staff and employees of Bad Boy Entertainment and Mr. Combs’s related businesses, but no one dared to speak up against their frightening and ferocious boss,” the suit alleged. The case was settled a day later.

At the time, Combs’ lawyer Ben Brafman told Newsweek: “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.

“For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail.”

Following the settlement agreement, Brafman said: “Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing.

“Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”

November 2023: Joi Dickerson-Neal Accuses Diddy of Sexual Assault

Joi Dickerson-Neal was one of several women to file lawsuits against Combs under the New York Adult Survivors Act. Enacted in 2022, the legislation provided a one-year window for sexual assault victims to file claims against alleged perpetrators, even if the statute of limitations had expired.

The California native claimed that Combs drugged and raped her in 1991, while she was a student at Syracuse University and he was working as a talent director for Uptown Records.

Following Dickerson-Neal’s filing, a representative for Combs said: “These are fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute. This is nothing but a money grab.”

November 2023: More Women File Sexual Assault Lawsuits Against Diddy

Later that month, an unidentified plaintiff accused Combs and singer Aaron Hall of raping her and a friend in the early 90s.

The alleged incident occurred at an after-party at Hall’s apartment, following an event held at MCA Records’ New York headquarters.

In the filing, the Jane Doe said she was raped by both Combs and Hall, later learning that her friend had also been assaulted by the pair in another room.

According to the lawsuit, Combs later attacked Jane Doe at the house she and her friend were staying at.

“He was irate and began assaulting and choking Jane Doe to the point that she passed out,” the documents read.

“Combs was searching for Jane Doe’s friend because he was worried that she would tell the girl he was with at the time what he and Hall had done to them.”

December 2023: Diddy is Accused of Gang-Raping a Teenager in 2003

In December, another woman anonymously filed a suit against Combs. The Jane Doe accused the record producer of giving her drugs and alcohol at his New York studio when she was 17 years old, before Combs and two associates raped her.

The lawsuit suggested that Jane Doe was brought to New York as part of a “sex trafficking scheme,” with Combs flying her in a private jet from her Michigan home to New York.

February 2024: Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Accuses Diddy of Sexual Misconduct

Record producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones sued Combs for $30 million in February, leveling a number of allegations against the rap icon. Jones worked with Combs on his most recent release, The Love Album: Off the Grid, between September 2022 and November 2023.

Jones accused Combs of sexual misconduct and grooming, with the suit alleging that the rapper “forcibly touched and attempted and/or threatened to touch (Jones’) intimate areas and/or touched (Jones) with his own intimate body parts.”

The filings also claim that Combs, his 30-year-old son Justin Dior Combs, and Kristina Khorram—his chief of staff at Combs Global Enterprises—of taking part in a “sex-trafficking venture,” as well as other associates.

Court documents filed in relation to Jones’ suit said Combs’ influence gave his music industry connections access to powerful figures including “famous athletes, political figures, artists, musicians, and international dignitaries like British royal Prince Harry.”

In a statement, Combs’ attorney Shawn Holley said: “Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday.

“His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.”

March 2024: Diddy’s Miami and Los Angeles’ Homes Are Raided by Homeland Security

On Monday, Combs’ mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, was raided by Homeland Security and local law enforcement, along with his compound in Star Island, Miami.

The searches were conducted in relation to an ongoing sex-trafficking investigation in New York. Homeland Security did not confirm if the raids were connected to the lawsuits Combs is currently facing.

Following the raids, Combs’ lawyer Aaron Dyer told Newsweek: “Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.

“Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.

“This unprecedented ambush—paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence—leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.

“There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”

March 2024: Diddy’s ‘Drug Mule’ is Arrested

A man reported to be Combs’ alleged “drug mule” was arrested by Miami-Dade Police and Homeland Security on Monday.

Brendan Paul was stopped at Opa-Locka Airport in Miami following the bi-coastal raids on Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles’ homes.

According to arrest records obtained by Rolling Stone, the Ohio native was taken into custody on cocaine and marijuana possession charges. He was released on bond on Tuesday.

Paul was named in Jones’ lawsuit, with the record producer claiming the 25-year-old “acquires and distributes” drugs and guns for Combs.

“Members of the enterprise and their associates procured, transported and distributed ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana, mushrooms, and tuci by packing these substances in their carry-on luggage and going through TSA,” the court filings allege.

The lawsuit also accuses Paul of “ensuring payment to sex workers in cash.”