A lawyer claims he represents 120 people who have come forward with sexual assault allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Houston attorney Tony Buzbee said Tuesday that he expected lawsuits to be filed in New York and Los Angeles within the next month.
He said the victims included 60 men and 60 women, 25 of whom were minors at the time of the alleged offenses. It added that one of them claimed to have been nine years old at the time of the assault.
“This type of sexual assault, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation should never occur in the United States or anywhere else,” Buzbee said at a news conference. “This should never have been allowed to go on for this long. This act has left a lot of people hurt, scared and traumatized.”
In response to the Texas announcement, Combs’ attorney, Erica Wolfe, said Combs “cannot address every baseless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus.”
“That being said, Mr. Combs categorically denies as false and defamatory any allegation that he sexually abused anyone, including minors,” Wolfe added.
“He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence and not speculation.”
Some cases were turned over to the FBI
Buzbee said more than 3,280 people have contacted his company claiming that Combs assaulted them in various ways.
Buzbee explained that after reviewing the allegations, his company decided to represent the 120 people.
Other cases are still under review. He said some of his clients have consulted with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The individuals Buzbee’s firm represents come from more than 25 states, with the majority coming from California, New York, Georgia, and Florida.
Buzbee said the alleged abuse took place primarily at parties in New York, California and Florida, where he was given drug-laced drinks.
At auditions, Buzbee reportedly said, “there were many times when I was forced to do this type of thing with the promise of being a star.”
“The wall of silence has now been broken”
Combs, 54, was arrested last month at a New York City hotel after a grand jury indicted him on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation of prostitution.
The charges against him were initially sealed, but the 14-page indictment was eventually released on September 17 when Combs pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York City.
Combs is one of hip-hop’s most recognized music executives, producers, and performers, a three-time Grammy Award winner who works with artists from a variety of musical fields.
Buzbee said Tuesday that “the entertainment industry’s biggest secret, and it wasn’t a secret at all, has finally been exposed to the world.” “The wall of silence has now been broken.”
Buzbee also represented a woman who accused National Football League quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and misconduct.
The attorney said he plans to identify more suspects “beyond Sean Combs.”
“The names we are about to mention are names that will shock you, assuming the investigators confirm and corroborate what we have been told,” he added.
“I’m not just talking about cowards here, I’m talking about complicit bystanders. I mean, people we know saw this act happen and did nothing.” I didn’t.”
