The Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Controversies: Lawsuits, Disputes and More

Last week, Cassandra. “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit against Sean”diddyCombs in federal court in New York. Her lawsuit includes graphic allegations of sexual assault, physical abuse and an allegation that Combs, her ex-boyfriend, would force her to have sex with male sex workers while he watched. Ventura’s claims are among the worst, but they are not the first controversy the music mogul and businessman is allegedly involved in.

Combs has attempted to change his name to “Brother Love” in recent years, even changing his middle name to Love, but he has a long history of violence dating back to the 1990s. He has never been convicted of a felony, but has been repeatedly accused of having violent encounters with everyone from his ex Ventura and Gina Huynh (who alleged physical abuse in 2019) to executive Steve Stoute and rappers like J. Cole and Drake.

Combs’ attorney, Ben Brafman, told the New York Times that “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Combs has been subjected to Ventura’s persistent demand for $30 million, under threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Despite withdrawing the initial threat from her, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, with the goal of tarnishing Mr. Combs’ reputation and seeking a payday.” The two reached an “amicable” settlement for an undisclosed amount on November 17.

Here’s a timeline of Combs’ controversies over the years:

CCNY tragedy, 1991

Combs co-promoted a celebrity basketball game and concert at the City College of New York, where nine people were killed and 29 injured. The gym had a capacity of 2,730 people, but up to 5,000 people showed up for the event, which did not have enough security to control the crowd. After organizers closed the doors and stopped letting attendees in, people outside broke down the gym doors and ran into the lobby, causing a stampede. The administration of then-New York City Mayor David Dinkins released a 67-page report titled “A Failure of Accountability” that cited Combs for hiring inadequate and inexperienced security. Combs settled a series of lawsuits from relatives of attendees who died at the gym, ending the last lawsuit in 2000.

Jake Robles shooting, 1995

Combs and Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight were once friends, but the animosity that fueled the violent rivalry between Death Row and Bad Boy began when Knight’s friend (and security guard), Jake Robles, He was murdered outside an Atlanta nightclub after an argument with the Bad Boy camp. The men were celebrating musician Jermaine Dupri’s birthday at Platinum City Club when, then-Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Howard told police, an argument began between members of Bad Boy’s entourage and Death Row Records. Howard said he escorted Combs and his guests outside the club, and thought the coast was clear to allow Knight and his entourage to leave. But, as Howard told the Los Angeles Times“[Knight’s] His partner was about to get into the limo when, suddenly, Puffy’s boys appeared around the corner. . . and one of them had a gun.” Howard said he chased the man, who handed the gun to another person, who shot Robles “two or three times.” According to the Times, the person jumped into a “car carrying Combs’ associates.” Robles died weeks later in an Atlanta hospital. Combs has denied his involvement in the shooting, for which Knight allegedly held him responsible.

Attacking Steve Stoute, 1998

In 1998, Combs and two other men attacked Steve Stoute after the music executive, then Nas’ manager, mistakenly sent MTV a version of Combs and Nas’ “Hate Me Now” music video that contained scenes depicting Combs. like Jesus Christ being crucified. Combs wanted the crucifixion scene deleted from the video and was furious that it was aired. Stoute says Combs and two men broke into his New York City office and attacked him with a bottle of champagne. He was charged with second-degree assault and criminal mischief. Stoute claims he broke his arm and jaw in the attack, but Combs denied to MTV that he broke any bones and also told the network, “I basically went to his office, and I can’t really talk about what happened in his office.” office”. but I can say this: the way I behaved in his office was completely wrong and I have since apologized to Steve for that and I felt like, you know, I let myself down.” Combs was sentenced to a one-day anger management class.

New York Club Shooting, 1999

In late December 1999, Combs and his Bad Boy signee Jamal “Shyne” Barrow were partying at Club New York when Diddy snatched a drink from Matthew “Scar” Allen’s hands. Allen got into an argument with Combs and someone threw money in his face. Allen also threatened to kill Shyne. Prosecutors allege that in the midst of the melee, the three men pulled out guns and Shyne fired three shots into the crowded club. Three people were shot. Combs, who was arrested with two nine-millimeter handguns in his car, was charged with four weapons charges and bribing his driver to claim the weapons were his. A witness at the trial said she saw Shyne and Combs fire their weapons, but Combs was acquitted of all charges, while Shyne was found guilty of five of his eight counts and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Fight with J. Cole, 2013

In 2013, Combs was allegedly involved in an altercation with J. Cole at an after-party for the 2013 MTV VMAs. Multiple sources alleged to Complex that a “visibly intoxicated” Combs harassed Kendrick Lamar over his fiery verse on Big’s “Control.” Sean, where he boasted of being “King of New York.” Combs allegedly tried to serve Kendrick a drink before Cole intervened and they got into a fight. He New York Posthowever, reported that the fight occurred after “J. “Cole was saying inappropriate things to Sean Combs and his girlfriend, Cassie.” A witness told them that “some pushing and shoving occurred. There were no blows, but it was a visible disturbance.” Both men immediately denied there had been a fight, although Cole later rapped: “My last fight was with Puff Daddy, who would have thought?” on “Let Go My Hand” from 2021.

Allegedly hits Drake, 2014

In December 2014, Combs allegedly hit out at Drake over the rights to the beat that became Drake’s “0 to 100.” He The Miami New-Times reported that the two had an argument outside LIV nightclub during DJ Khaled’s event for the Basel weekend. Words were allegedly exchanged and reportedly “then punches,” with Combs telling Drake, “You won’t disrespect me.” Combs denied hitting Drake, he told the radio show. The breakfast club “I didn’t do anything to Drake, Drake is my friend.”

UCLA Coach Fights, 2015

In June 2015, Combs feuded with then-UCLA assistant football coach Sal Alosi. TMZ reported that Combs was present during a UCLA practice where Alosi berated his son (and then-UCLA player) Justin Combs, telling him: “I don’t care if your dad is here. This is UCLA. “I will treat you like I treat everyone else.” After practice, Combs and his son allegedly went to Alosi’s office, where an argument ensued and Combs “grabbed” Alosi. According to one account, Combs was forcibly removed from Alosi’s office and then threw a kettlebell at an intern. A Combs Enterprises representative noted: “The various accounts of the event and the charges being reported are completely inaccurate. What we can say now is that any action taken by Mr. Combs was solely defensive in nature to protect himself and his child.” The Los Angeles district attorney decided not to file assault charges against Combs.

Gina Huynh alleges abuse

In 2019, Combs’ ex, Gina Huynh told blogger Tasha K that Combs physically abused her during their five-year relationship. She claimed that he once stomped on her stomach, causing her to lose her breath, and also punched her in the back of the head. She told Tasha K that “he was abusing me mentally, emotionally and physically. He always compared me to Cassie and he told me that I am the bad one and she is the good one.” She also said that “everyone” in Combs’ circle “allowed” the abuse to happen.

Cassie files civil suit against Combs

On November 16, Combs’ ex, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a federal lawsuit against Combs in New York alleging years of assault. Her lawsuit contains graphic allegations that Combs raped her in 2018, physically abused her, intimidated her and forced her to have sex with male escorts while he watched. The suit also alleges that Combs blew up Cudi’s car to discourage him from seeing Cassie romantically; Through a representative, Cudi said the allegations are true. Combs has denied the allegations and alleged that Cassie tried to blackmail him for $30 million before filing the lawsuit. The two settled for an undisclosed amount on November 17, with his attorney Ben Brafman stating that “Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit in no way undermines his adamant rejection of the claims”.