Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Legal Timeline

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Legal Timeline.

Since the 16 September, 2024, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been in jail and is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, a Federal administrative detention facility in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn. The detention center has housed a number of high-profile inmates in recent years, including Sam Bankman-Fried, R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell. They are kept in a segregated unit outside of the general population.

Combs was arrested and indicted by federal authorities in New York and faces accusations of running a sexual crime operation that dates back to at least 2008. This significant development comes about 10 months after numerous public allegations of sexual and other forms of abuse were made against the music mogul. His lawyer maintains that he is innocent, and Diddy has entered a plea of not guilty.

Lawyer Monthly takes a look at the rise and fall of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and key events that have unfolded for the celebrity music mogul.

1969: Sean Combs

Sean John Combs, born on November 4, 1969, in the Harlem area of New York City. He was brought up in Mount Vernon, New York. His mother, Janice Combs (née Smalls), worked as a model and a teacher’s assistant, while his father, Melvin Earl Combs, was a member of the U.S. Air Force and had connections with the notorious New York drug dealer Frank Lucas. Tragically, when Combs was just two years old, his father was shot and killed in his car on Central Park West at the age of 33. He has one sister and experienced a childhood marked by financial struggles.

1987: Graduation

Combs grew up in a Catholic household and was an altar boy during his youth. He completed his education at Mount Saint Michael Academy, an all-boys Catholic institution, in 1987. While there, he was part of the football team that clinched a division title in 1986. Combs shared that he earned the nickname “Puff” as a kid because he would “huff and puff” when he got upset. Initially, Combs pursued a business degree at Howard University but decided to leave after his sophomore year.

1990: Uptown Records and Career

In 1990, Combs started his internship at Uptown Records in New York City. During his time there as a talent director, he worked closely with the label’s founder, Andre Harrell, and played a key role in nurturing the careers of Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. Back in college, Combs was known for hosting parties that drew crowds of up to a thousand people.

1991: Stampede and Deaths

In 1991, Combs organized an AIDS fundraiser alongside Heavy D at the gymnasium of City College of New York (CCNY), which took place after a charity basketball game. The event attracted a large crowd, leading to an unfortunate stampede that resulted in the deaths of nine individuals.

1993: Bad Boy Records

Not long after his departure from Uptown in 1993, Combs launched his own label, Bad Boy Records, which formed a partnership with Arista Records. He also took along Christopher Wallace, famously known as the Notorious B.I.G., who was previously signed to Uptown.

1996: Billboard Hot 100

In 1996, Combs, known as Puff Daddy, made his mark in the music industry with his first commercial vocal project as a rapper. His debut single, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” enjoyed an impressive 28-week run on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top spot. Following this success, his first album, No Way Out, was launched on July 22, 1997, via Bad Boy Records. Initially named Hell up in Harlem, the album went through various modifications after the tragic death of the Notorious B.I.G. on March 9, 1997.

1998: Sean John Clothing

In 1998, Combs launched his clothing brand, Sean John. The brand received a nomination for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2000 and took home the award in 2004. In 2003, California billionaire Ronald Burkle made a significant investment of $100 million into the company. However, in late 2006, Macy’s decided to pull Sean John jackets from their stores after discovering they contained raccoon dog fur. Combs was unaware that the jackets were made from real fur, but he promptly halted production once he was informed.

1999: Assault Charges

In April 1999, Combs faced charges for assaulting Steve Stoute, who was associated with Interscope Records. Stoute managed Nas, with whom Combs had collaborated on a video earlier that year for the track “Hate Me Now.” Combs had reservations about the video, particularly a scene depicting both him and Nas being crucified, which he found offensive. He requested that his scenes on the cross be removed, but after the unedited version aired on MTV on April 15, Combs went to Stoute’s office and ended up injuring him.

2001: P. Diddy

In 2001, Combs updated his stage name from “Puff Daddy” to “P. Diddy” and terminated Bad Boy’s distribution agreement with Arista Records, allowing him to take complete control over the label, its catalog, and the artists signed to it.

2004: Super Bowl XXXVIII

Combs performed at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.

2006: Contract Dispute

In 2006, when Combs declined to let rapper Mase out of his contract with Bad Boy so he could join G-Unit, 50 Cent responded by recording a diss track titled “Hip-Hop.” The song’s lyrics suggest that Combs was aware of who killed the Notorious B.I.G. Although the two eventually settled their differences, tensions flared up again in subsequent years.

2007-2022: Beyond Music

Between 2007 and 2022, P. Diddy (Sean Combs) continued to expand his influence beyond music and invested in everything from Vodka to cable tv.

Launch of Cîroc Vodka Partnership (2007): Diddy entered a highly lucrative partnership with Diageo for the promotion and management of Cîroc Vodka. This move significantly boosted his entrepreneurial portfolio, and by 2014, Cîroc sales had exploded, making him one of the wealthiest figures in hip-hop .
Bad Boy Records Revival: In 2015, Combs made a high-profile announcement about reviving Bad Boy Records with new artists. The label, which played a pivotal role in the 1990s hip-hop scene, aimed to introduce fresh talent, reaffirming his influence in the music industry .
Revolt TV Launch (2013): Diddy launched Revolt TV, a cable music network dedicated to hip-hop culture and music. This was a major step in diversifying his media portfolio and providing a platform for music content in a digital age .
Forbes Wealth Rankings: Throughout the 2010s, Diddy frequently topped Forbes’ list as the highest-paid hip-hop artist. In 2017, he claimed the top spot, earning $130 million, thanks to his ventures like Cîroc, Bad Boy Records, and Revolt TV .
Sean John Reacquisition (2021): Diddy made headlines by reacquiring Sean John, his clothing brand, for $7.5 million after it had been sold off. This marked a return to fashion and an attempt to revitalize the brand that had been iconic in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

These events highlight P. Diddy’s evolution from music mogul to a multifaceted businessman, making him a key figure in entertainment and entrepreneurship.

2023-2024: Legal Issues and Sexual Assault Allegations

November 16, 2023: Cassie Ventura Sexual Abuse Allegations

On November 16, 2023, Cassandra Ventura, who is better known as the singer Cassie, initiated a legal action claiming she endured years of sexual abuse, harassment, and rape during her long-term relationship with Combs. In her lawsuit, Cassie also accused Combs of threatening to blow up Kid Cudi’s car; shortly after, Cudi’s vehicle did explode, and he confirmed the details outlined in her complaint. Her case was brought under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, and just one day after filing, the lawsuit was resolved out of court for an undisclosed amount.

November 23, 2023: Additional Lawsuits

On November 23, 2023, just a week before the deadline for submissions under the Adult Survivors Act, Combs faced two additional lawsuits. Joi Dickerson-Neal claimed that he engaged in misconduct during the 1990s after they went on a date when she was 19. The lawsuit alleges that Combs drugged and raped her while recording the incident. Additionally, another anonymous lawsuit accuses Combs, along with singer Aaron Hall, of sexually assaulting a woman and then physically assaulting her days later.

December 6, 2023: Gang Rape

On December 6, 2023, Combs faces accusations related to a gang rape incident from 2003, where he is alleged to have drugged a 17-year-old victim. Two other men are also implicated in the alleged assault, which reportedly occurred in a recording studio. The fallout from these allegations is significant, leading Combs to resign as chairman of Revolt TV, and several brands choose to sever their connections with him. In response, Combs took to Instagram to firmly deny all the claims made against him, stating, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”

February 26, 2024: Sexual Assault

On February 26, 2024, the high-profile lawsuit involving Lil’ Rod was filed, with allegations against Combs for sexual assault and coercing the emerging producer into interactions with sex workers, drug use, and other inappropriate behaviors. The lawsuit outlines Rodney “Lil’ Rod” Jones’ challenging 14-month experience while working alongside Combs. The 38-year-old claims he faced sexual assault, was allegedly compelled by Combs to perform sexual acts, solicited sex workers, was drugged, humiliated, and groped multiple times. His attorneys suggest that the underlying reason for the lawsuit is that Jones was not compensated for his contributions to Combs’ 2023 album. In response, Combs’ legal representatives have dismissed the allegations as “pure fiction,” asserting that Jones did not fulfill the work he claims to have done for the Grammy-nominated album, The Love Album: Off the Grid.

March 25, 2024: FBI Raids

March 25, 2024: The Combs case intensifies as significant scrutiny falls on his activities following raids conducted by authorities at his properties in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. This action is part of a wide-ranging investigation into allegations of sex trafficking. The timing coincides with the Lil Rod lawsuit, which had already sparked concerns about the mogul’s conduct, further complicating Combs’ situation. As a result, he quickly became a frequent topic of gossip and conspiracy theories online. Combs’ attorney at the time, Aaron Dyer, criticized the raids, describing them as a “gross overuse of military-level force” and claiming that the “unprecedented ambush was accompanied by a highly coordinated media presence.”

April 4, 2024: Yacht Assault

On April 4, 2024, a lawsuit has brought Christian Combs, the son of the rap mogul, into the spotlight regarding a sexual assault incident. The allegations suggest that a staff member was involved in an incident on a yacht rented by the troubled rapper. The lawsuit claims that Combs played a role in creating an atmosphere that permitted the assault to occur.

April 26, 2024: Revenge Porn and Human Trafficking

On April 26, 2024, Combs’ legal team takes a proactive stance by submitting motions to dismiss significant parts of the lawsuits. Their main point is that certain allegations, such as those concerning revenge porn and human trafficking, were not considered illegal back in 1991, the year when the incidents supposedly took place. This is particularly relevant to Dickerson’s case, which involves the distribution of footage related to the alleged rape. In their filing, they also criticize the “many false, offensive, and sensational claims” that have been made.

May 10, 2024: Studio Assault

On May 10, 2024, Combs’ legal representatives are once again challenging the accusations made against him. They argue that the lawsuit brought by a woman from Detroit, who claims that Combs and two others assaulted her in a studio back in 2003, was submitted beyond the allowable time frame. Additionally, they describe the allegations regarding Combs’ conduct as “false and horrific.”

May 17, 2024: Hotel Assault on Cassie

On May 17, 2024, Combs faced a significant setback to his reputation when CNN released a video showing him in a robe walking down a hotel hallway, where he violently attacked his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, back in 2016. The disturbing footage quickly spread across various media outlets, prompting Combs to publicly apologize. In a video statement shared on his Instagram, he expressed, “My actions in that video are unacceptable. I fully own my behavior in that moment.”

June 10, 2024: Suge Knight

On June 10, 2024, Suge Knight, a longtime rival of Diddy in the rap industry and former head of Death Row Records, shared a controversial theory from prison. He suggested that Diddy is collaborating with the FBI as an informant, which Knight believes explains why Combs has been able to operate without facing consequences. “There shouldn’t be any ambiguity when it comes to doing the right thing, making a positive impact, or contributing to the community,” Knight stated during an episode of his podcast, Collect Call with Suge Knight. “With that in mind, it’s clear that Puffy has been an FBI informant for a long time, as people often say. That’s what sets him apart.”

August 26, 2024: Freak off Parties

On August 26, 2024, Combs’ legal team filed a motion to dismiss the sensational case brought by Lil Rod, arguing that his claims were not only exaggerated but some were outright fabricated. They alleged that Jones was merely trying to leverage his fame for media attention and a potentially hefty settlement. The attorneys pointed out that Jones’ original complaint against Combs was related to nonpayment, and it was only after he collaborated with his lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, that he began to make these scandalous allegations. This included the claim that Combs was using compromising material as a means to exert power and control over others. The complaint stated, “Mr. Combs has compromising footage of every individual who has attended his ‘freak off’ parties and his house gatherings,” referring to the purported multi-day sex parties the mogul allegedly hosted. “Based on the information available, it is believed that this extensive collection of evidence leads Mr. Combs to think he is above the law and beyond reproach.”

September 11, 2024: Dawn Richard Lawsuit

On September 11, 2024, singer Dawn Richard initiated her tenth lawsuit against Combs, following a series of legal actions that started in November. Richard, who founded the girl group Danity Kane in 2003 with Combs as her mentor on MTV’s Making the Band, claims that during their collaboration, she endured years of both psychological and physical abuse, including instances of groping.

September 15, 2024: Last Day of Freedom

On September 15, 2024, Combs made his way back to New York, seemingly prepared for his impending arrest. He was seen several times throughout Manhattan, and sources suggest that the troubled near-billionaire appeared to be in high spirits. Just a day before his arrest, Combs was seen interacting with fans in Central Park, and a photo acquired by News Nation shows him sitting on a bench alongside his attorney. Later that evening, he was captured on camera strolling around the city with his son, Christian Combs.

September 16, 2024: Arrest and Charges

On September 16, 2024, Combs was taken into custody in Manhattan. The next day, an indictment was made public, alleging that the disgraced mogul engaged in a long-standing pattern of physical and sexual violence against women. Federal prosecutors accused him of sex trafficking and racketeering, claiming he orchestrated a large criminal operation that involved assaulting and trafficking women through his numerous businesses since at least 2008. He entered a plea of not guilty and sought a $60 million bond, but the judge ruled that he would remain in detention until his trial. He is currently in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he is awaiting trial and was briefly placed on suicide watch. His cellmate is Sam Bankman-Fried, who is serving a 25-year sentence.

September 17, 2024: Criminal Organization

The charges against Combs have been made public. He is described as the leader of a criminal organization involved in activities such as sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for prostitution, drug-related crimes, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. The indictment alleges that he “engaged in a continuous and widespread pattern of abuse towards women and others,” which included physical violence, all to “satisfy his sexual urges, safeguard his reputation, and hide his actions.” Combs has appeared in a federal court in New York, where he entered a plea of not guilty. A judge has ruled that he will be held without bail while he awaits his trial.

September 24, 2024: P Diddy Accused of Rape in ‘Laced Drink’ Lawsuit

Thalia Graves, a 53-year-old woman has initiated a federal lawsuit asserting that Sean “Diddy” Combs had her restrained while unclothed and “brutally assaulted” her at his Bad Boy Records studio in New York City during the summer of 2001.

October 1, 2024: Paedophile Claims

Houston based attorney Tony Buzbee held a press conference alleging Combs sexually abused multiple minors. Buzbee alleged one 9-year-old boy was sexually abused after he auditioned at the Bad Boy Records Studio in New York City.

October 8, 2024: Lawyers File Appeal Seeking Pretrial Release

Sean Diddy Combs’ legal team submit an appeal seeking his release from jail prior to his trial. On Tuesday, October 8, attorney Alexander A.E. Shapiro filed the appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, according to court documents.

October 10, 2024: Trial Date Set

During a court appearance on October 10, 2024, Judge Arun Subramanian set Combs’ trial start date as May 5, 2025. Sean Combs’ lawyers accuse government of leaking Cassie Video to ‘ruin’ his reputation before trial.