(NewsNation) — A Houston lawyer said Tuesday he is representing 120 people who claim they experienced sexual misconduct by Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Attorney Tony Buzbee said he expects his clients to file lawsuits within the next 30 days. The alleged victims are 60 men and 60 women, of whom 25 were minors at the time of the alleged misconduct. The youngest, according to Buzbee, was 9.
“I imagine there’s a myriad of people who are nervous,” he said. “You can’t hide skeletons in the closet forever.”
Erica Wolff, Combs’s lawyer, said in a statement to NewsNation that the rap mogul “cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus.”
“That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors,” Wolff said in a statement.
Combs, 54, has been locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty Sept. 17 to federal charges that he used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed “Freak Offs.”
Other alleged victims have already filed lawsuits against Combs that include allegations of sexual assault.
He has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. His attorney said he is innocent and will fight to clear his name.
Combs is one of the best-known music executives, producers and performers across hip-hop, having won three Grammys and worked with artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112. He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, as well as the influential fashion line Sean John, a vodka brand, and the Revolt TV network. He sold off his stake in the latter company in June of this year.
Buzbee has also represented women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source link