The rapper was sued by his ex Cassie in November 2023; it was settled 24 hours later. Here is what has occurred since.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attends the REVOLT & AT&T Summit on Oct. 25, 2019 in Los Angeles.
Scott Dudelson/Getty Photos
Sean “Diddy” Combs spent a long time within the music trade increase his legacy by his Dangerous Boy empire and varied aspect hustles to turn out to be one of many hip-hop artists on Forbes listing of billionaires in 2022. He has 5 No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 and 15 hits within the prime 10 — and that doesn’t even embrace his work producing hits for others.
The factor about legacies is that they’re fragile — and one thing that took a long time to place collectively brick by brick could be dismantled in a single day. Simply months after being honored with the Global Icon Award on the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, the hip-hop world was turned on its head when Combs’ ex Cassie filed a bombshell lawsuit Nov. 16, 2023, accusing the music trade mogul of years of sexual misconduct and abuse throughout their time collectively.
The lawsuit was settled in lower than 24 hours, however the floodgates had opened. The artist was peppered with a litany of sexual misconduct-related lawsuits to shut out 2023, they usually continued into 2024.
Combs denied the allegations in opposition to him in December. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” he wrote. “Sickening allegations have been made in opposition to me by people on the lookout for a fast payday. Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged. I’ll struggle for my identify, my household and for the reality.”
Civil fits continued to stack up, and the warmth was ratcheted up a number of ranges when Homeland Safety stepped in on March 25, 2024, to raid the music mogul’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami, with the Dangerous Boy boss being linked to a intercourse trafficking investigation, in keeping with CNN.
Quickly after, the musician’s lawyer blasted the raid on his houses as a “gross overuse of military-level power” and a “witch hunt primarily based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
Under is a timeline of the allegations made in opposition to Diddy and the following fallout.
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Nov. 16, 2023: Cassie Information Her Lawsuit
Cassie started relationship Combs round 2007, and the 2 have been on-and-off till calling it quits for good in 2018. The “Me & U” singer filed a lawsuit in November accusing Combs of egregious conduct with years of abuse and one occasion of rape.
In a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal courtroom, attorneys for Cassie alleged she had “endured over a decade of his violent conduct and disturbed calls for,” together with repeated beatings and forcing her to “interact in intercourse acts with male intercourse employees.”
In response to the criticism, after she tried to separate herself from him in 2018, Combs allegedly “compelled her into her dwelling and raped her whereas she repeatedly stated ‘no’ and tried to push him away.”
Cassie claimed that she suffered “episodes of horrific abuse” throughout their relationship, together with instances when he would allegedly fly into an “uncontrollable rage” and “beat Ms. Ventura savagely.”
She additionally alleged in her swimsuit that that Diddy “blew up” a automotive belonging to Child Cudi in 2012 after he realized that the rapper was “romantically” serious about her.
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Nov. 17, 2023: Cassie & Combs Conform to Settle
Lower than 24 hours after the lawsuit was reported, Combs and Cassie reached a settlement for an undisclosed quantity. Phrases of the deal are usually not recognized.
“I’ve determined to resolve this matter amicably on phrases that I’ve some stage of management,” Cassie stated in an announcement issued by her legal professional, Douglas Wigdor. “I need to thank my household, followers and attorneys for his or her unwavering help.”
Wigdor additionally claimed that the musician had supplied his consumer “eight figures” to forestall her from submitting the lawsuit, which she rejected.
Combs responded with an announcement: “We have now determined to resolve this matter amicably. I want Cassie and her household all the most effective. Love.”
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Nov. 23, 2023: Combs Accused of Sexual Assault & Drugging in Early ’90s Incidents
A day earlier than the New York State Grownup Survivors Act expired, Combs was hit with a pair of sexual assault lawsuits. One was from an nameless plaintiff, who claimed the music mogul sexually assaulted and beat her, whereas the opposite was filed by a girl named Joi Dickerson-Neal, who accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her when she was a university scholar in 1991. Dickerson-Neal claimed that Diddy had footage of the assault, and allegedly distributed it to others across the music trade.
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Nov. 28, 2023: He Steps Down as Revolt’s Chairman
With three lawsuits filed in opposition to him, Combs agreed to resign from his position at Revolt — which he helped launch in 2013 — and not serve as chairman of the digital media firm.
“Whereas Mr. Combs has beforehand no operational or day-to-day position within the enterprise, this resolution helps make sure that Revolt stays steadfastly centered on our mission to create significant content material for the tradition and amplify the voices of all Black individuals all through this nation and the African diaspora,” an announcement from the corporate stated. “Our focus has all the time been one which displays our dedication to the collective journey of Revolt — one that’s not pushed by the person, however by the shared efforts and values of our complete workforce on behalf of advancing, elevating, and championing our tradition and that continues.”
50 Cent has been relentless in trolling Diddy all through the obstacles in his life, and offered to buy Revolt from the Dangerous Boy boss after studying he was stepping apart.
“I’ll purchase that from you play boy , for the low as a result of you understand Cadillac and AT&T gonna pull out,” he wrote above two images of headlines about Diddy stepping down. “I’ll offer you a number of {dollars} for it now! Promote it to me, then we could be associates … Im severe name my telephone.”
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Dec. 6, 2023: Combs Denies All Allegations After Fourth Lawsuit Is Filed
A fourth lawsuit showed up on the mogul’s doorstep in December, through which a Jane Doe particular person alleged she was “intercourse trafficked” and “gang raped” by Combs, former Dangerous Boy Data president Harve Pierre and one other particular person in 2003 when she was simply 17 years outdated.
Attorneys for Pierre didn’t reply to Billboard’s request for remark.
Combs released a statement on social media, denying all the allegations levied in opposition to him.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” he wrote. “For the final couple of weeks, I’ve sat silently and watched individuals attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my repute and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made in opposition to me by people on the lookout for a fast payday. Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged. I’ll struggle for my identify, my household and for the reality.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0hUOaoOoQq/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c5f4e671-ffc3-4ec4-a873-d263d6b911af
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Dec. 10, 2023: Manufacturers Sever Ties With His E-Commerce Firm
Eighteen manufacturers severed ties from doing enterprise with Combs’ E-commerce firm, Empower World, within the wake of the mounting sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to the music mogul, in keeping with Rolling Stone.
“Whereas this resolution was tough due [to] the reverence we as soon as held for Mr. Combs as a pacesetter in enterprise and leisure, it was clearly the proper alternative,” Lenard Grier, co-founder of No One Clothiers instructed the journal of pulling out of the connection with Combs’ firm. “Our model is based on the assumption that each particular person is necessary and worthy of respect, no matter gender, ethnicity, age, and so on. The allegations in opposition to Mr. Combs are in direct battle with these beliefs. In flip, we felt an ethical crucial to finish our relationship.”
Different corporations that ended their relationships with Empower additionally gave comparable statements to the journal.
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Dec. 13, 2023: Hulu Scraps Combs Household Actuality Present Plans
A Hulu collection following Diddy’s household was scrapped in December. Sources relayed to Billboard that Diddy+7 was solely in its early phases and never at the moment in manufacturing. The mission was set to be produced for Hulu by James Corden‘s manufacturing firm, Fulwell 73.
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Feb. 26, 2024: Music Producer Sues Combs
Producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr. labored on The Love Album: Off the Grid 2023 and filed a lawsuit in opposition to Combs in February. Rod accused Combs of sexual misconduct, assault and harassment.
He accused the musician of “groping and touching” his butt and attempting to groom him into participating in sexual acts with Combs and different people on his workforce. Lil Rod additionally claimed that Diddy “compelled” him to “solicit intercourse employees” — a few of whom have been allegedly underage — and have them “carry out intercourse acts to the pleasure of Mr. Combs,” in keeping with the criticism.
Jones Jr. claimed that he wakened in mattress “bare, dizzy and confused” one evening in February 2023 on the mogul’s Miami dwelling with the Dangerous Boy entertainer and two intercourse employees. Rod believes he was drugged.
The lawsuit additionally brings up an alleged incident at Chalice Recording Studio in Hollywood from September 2022 that resulted in a person being shot following a “heated dialog” between Diddy, his son Justin and one other man.
The producer can be suing Combs, UMG, Motown, Love Data and Chalice Recording Studio for offering “insufficient or negligent safety” that evening.
Combs’ legal professional Shawn Holley denied Jones Jr.’s allegations in an announcement shared with Billboard, saying that the producer was simply “on the lookout for an undeserved payday.” She continued: “We have now overwhelming, indeniable proof that his claims are full lies. … We’ll deal with these outlandish allegations in courtroom and take all acceptable motion in opposition to those that make them.”
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March 25, 2024: Federal Brokers Raid His L.A. and Miami Properties
Division of Homeland Safety Investigations New York executed search warrants, with federal brokers raiding Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami houses on March 25.
The Homeland Safety raids have been reportedly achieved “in connection” with an ongoing federal intercourse trafficking investigation, in keeping with CNN. Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are main the case.
“Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) New York executed legislation enforcement actions as a part of an ongoing investigation, with help from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our native legislation enforcement companions. We’ll present additional info because it turns into obtainable,” the Division of Homeland Safety stated in an announcement.
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March 26, 2024: Combs Reportedly Sells His Stake in Revolt TV
Combs reportedly agreed to a deal to promote his stake in Revolt TV after stepping down from his position as chairman in November amid sexual assault allegations. In response to TMZ, the mogul bought his remaining shares of Revolt to an nameless purchaser. The report famous that the corporate will stay Black-owned. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed.
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March 26, 2024: Legal professional Slams ‘Witch Hunt’ Raids
Combs’ legal professional Aaron Dyer spoke out in opposition to the “gross overuse of military-level power” within the raids of the musician’s residences, and vowed to finish the “witch hunt” in opposition to his consumer.
“There was a gross overuse of military-level power as search warrants have been executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” Dyer told Billboard in an announcement. “There is no such thing as a excuse for the extreme present of power and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way in which his kids and staff have been handled. Mr. Combs was by no means detained however spoke to and cooperated with authorities.”
Dyer added that Diddy and his household haven’t been arrested and are allowed to journey how they please, even after the pair of raids.
“This unprecedented ambush — paired with a sophisticated, coordinated media presence — results in a untimely rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing greater than a witch hunt primarily based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits,” he continued. “There was no discovering of prison or civil legal responsibility with any of those allegations. Mr. Combs is harmless and can proceed to struggle each single day to clear his identify.”
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March 25, 2024: Alleged Affiliate Arrested On Drug Prices in Miami
A 25-year-old man accused of being a drug “mule” for Diddy in a latest lawsuit was arrested at Opa-Locka Airport on March 25 on the identical time Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami houses have been being raided. Per Rolling Stone, Brendan Paul was booked on a pair of drug possession expenses for cocaine and marijuana.
With some homework from web detectives connecting the dots, Paul was recognized as a former NCAA athlete who performed basketball at Syracuse College from 2018 by 2020.
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Could 10, 2024: Combs Asks Decide to Dismiss Rape Declare
On Could 10, Combs asked a federal judge to dismiss the Jane Doe lawsuit filed in December 2023, calling the claims that he and two co-defendants raped a 17-year-old lady in 2003 “false and hideous.” He additionally argued that the case was filed too late, in keeping with the legislation.
“Mr. Combs and his corporations categorically deny Plaintiff’s decades-old story in opposition to them, which has triggered incalculable harm to their reputations and enterprise standing earlier than any proof has been offered,” learn the submitting. “Plaintiff can’t allege what day or time of 12 months the alleged incident occurred, however miraculously remembers different salacious particulars, regardless of her alleged incapacitated situation.”
The submitting additionally requested that the case be “dismissed now, with prejudice” to forestall anymore “reputational damage” and waste of judicial sources.
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Could 14, 2024: Combs Posts Cryptic Message
Amid the developments in his authorized circumstances, the mogul emerged with a cryptic message on Instagram. “Time tells fact,” learn a message posted on his Instagram Could 14, which he captioned merely with, “Love.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C69bXGPPkBO/
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Could 17, 2024: Video of Resort Assault Surfaces
On Could 17, 2016 surveillance footage obtained by CNN confirmed Combs showing to bodily assault then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura throughout a lodge keep.
Within the clip, Combs — carrying nothing however a white towel round his waist — shoved Ventura to the bottom close to an elevator financial institution, kicked her a number of instances whereas she lay on the bottom and dragged her down a hallway. He’s later proven sitting in a chair, then grabbed one thing off of a desk and appeared to throw it at her. He then walked away earlier than turning towards Ventura as soon as extra, simply as one of many elevator doorways opened and somebody was seen strolling out.
The incident carefully mirrored an assault allegation made by Ventura in opposition to Combs in her now-settled November lawsuit. “The gut-wrenching video has solely additional confirmed the disturbing and predatory conduct of Mr. Combs,” stated Ventura’s legal professional, Douglas Wigdor, in an announcement to Billboard shortly after the video got here to mild. “Phrases can’t specific the braveness and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has proven in coming ahead to deliver this to mild.”
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Could 17, 2024: Cassie’s Husband Speaks Out
On the identical day the lodge video surfaced, Ventura’s husband — mannequin Alex Tremendous — shared a Notes app screenshot of a self-written assertion starting with, “Males who hit girls aren’t males.”
“Males who allow it and shield these individuals aren’t males,” the message continued. “As males violence in opposition to girls shouldn’t be inevitable, examine your brothers, your mates, and your loved ones … To all the ladies and kids, I’m sorry you reside in a world the place you’re not protected, and also you don’t really feel equal.”
“Wrote this awhile again however the phrases ring true not simply as we speak however on a regular basis,” the health entrepreneur captioned his submit. “I would like my youngsters and each child to stay in a world that’s protected for girls and ladies, protects them and treats them as equals. To the ladies and kids, you’re not alone, and you might be heard. if you happen to need assistance name the home violence hotline at (800) 799-7233.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FM_EoulZk
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Could 17, 2024: L.A. District Legal professional Explains Why Combs Can’t Be Prosecuted Over Resort Video
The workplace of Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascón launched an announcement on Instagram Could 17 explaining why the hotel video, although “disturbing,” wouldn’t straight result in Combs being prosecuted.
“We discover the pictures extraordinarily disturbing and tough to look at,” it learn. “If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, sadly we’d be unable to cost because the conduct would have occurred past the timeline the place a criminal offense of assault could be prosecuted.”
The assertion added that legislation enforcement has not offered the L.A. County DA’s workplace with “a case associated to the assault depicted within the video in opposition to Mr. Combs, however we encourage anybody who has been a sufferer or witness to a criminal offense to report it to legislation enforcement or attain out to our workplace for help from our Bureau of Victims Companies.”
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Could 19, 2024: Combs Points Apology for Resort Incident
Two days after the lodge video surfaced — and after months of sustaining his innocence within the face of quite a few assault allegations in opposition to him — Combs posted a 70-second self-filmed apology on Instagram.
“It’s so tough to replicate on the darkest instances in your life, however generally you bought to do this,” he stated within the clip. “I used to be f—ed up. I imply, I hit all-time low. However I make no excuses. My conduct on that video is inexcusable. I take full duty for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I used to be disgusted then after I did it, I’m disgusted now.”
“I went out and sought skilled assist,” he continued. “Had to enter remedy, into rehab. Needed to ask God for his mercy and style. I’m so sorry. However I’m dedicated to being a greater man each day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m actually sorry.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7J4iUFRGUk/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=023c3edb-e647-441a-b7c5-1515614c4085
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Could 20, 2024: NYC Mayor Considers Revoking Combs’ Key to the Metropolis
Shortly after the 2016 lodge video surfaced, New York Metropolis mayor Eric Adams revealed in an interview that he and his associates have been considering revoking the Key to the Metropolis they’d bestowed upon Combs in September 2023.
“I believe all of us have been deeply disturbed by watching that chilling video of the younger girl being assaulted by him, and the committee and the workforce — we’ve by no means rescinded a key earlier than, however we at the moment are sitting right down to see what the subsequent steps ahead are going to be,” he instructed PIX11. “We’re taking all the pieces below evaluation, and the workforce will come again to me with a ultimate dedication.”
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Could 21, 2024: Former Mannequin Sues Combs for Alleged Sexual Assault
Crystal McKinney accused Combs of sexual assault in a lawsuit she filed in opposition to him on Could 21, alleging that he had compelled her to carry out oral intercourse on him within the toilet of a New York Metropolis recording studio in 2003.
McKinney additionally claimed that she was given alcohol and marijuana that she later got here to consider was laced “with a narcotic or different intoxicating substance.” After the alleged assault was over, she says she “woke up in shock” to search out herself in a taxi leaving the scene.
Additionally named as defendants within the lawsuit are Combs’ label Dangerous Boy Data, its mother or father firm Common Music Group and Combs’ clothes firm Sean John Clothes, all of which McKinney claims “enabled” the alleged assault by “actively sustaining and using Combs ready of energy” even though they allegedly “knew or ought to have recognized that Combs posed a danger of sexual assault.”
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Could 23, 2024: Cassie Breaks Her Silence
Almost per week after the lodge video surfaced, Cassie spoke out on the footage after having beforehand spoken solely by her attorneys. “Thanks for all the love and help from my household, associates, strangers and people have but to satisfy,” she wrote in an announcement on Instagram that didn’t point out Diddy.
“The outpouring of affection has created a spot for my youthful self to settle and really feel protected now, however that is solely the start,” she continued. “Home Violence is THE problem. It broke me right down to somebody I by no means thought I’d turn out to be. With a whole lot of arduous work, I’m higher as we speak, however I’ll all the time be recovering from my previous.”
Learn her full assertion under:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7T6OCKRJ-W
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Sept. 16, 2024: Diddy Arrested
Combs was arrested in Manhattan after a grand jury indictment. Marc Agnifilo, one of many music mogul’s attorneys, confirmed the arrest to a number of information retailers — together with CNN and NBC Information — late on Sept. 16. “We’re dissatisfied with the choice to pursue what we consider is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace,” he stated, calling his consumer an imperfect one who is just not a prison. “To his credit score, Mr. Combs has been nothing however cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York final week in anticipation of those expenses. Please reserve your judgment till you will have all of the information. These are the acts of an harmless man with nothing to cover, and he seems ahead to clearing his identify in courtroom.”
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Sept. 17, 2024: Prices Revealed
Federal prosecutors unsealed the indictment the morning after Diddy’s arrest, revealing that the music mogul was accused of working a racketeering conspiracy that included intercourse trafficking, compelled labor, bribery and extra. “For many years, Sean Combs … abused, threatened and coerced girls and others round him to satisfy his sexual needs, shield his repute and conceal his conduct,” learn the paperwork obtained by Billboard. “To take action, Combs relied on the workers, sources and the affect of his multi-faceted enterprise empire that he led and managed.”
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Sept. 17, 2024: Denied Bail
Hours after the indictment was unsealed, a federal choose denied bail for the music mogul throughout a listening to, that means Combs — who earlier within the day pleaded not responsible to a spread of expenses together with intercourse trafficking and racketeering — would keep behind bars till his trial.
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Sept. 18, 2024: Denied Bail Once more
Combs was once again refused bail after a federal choose dominated that the indicted rapper and music government would pose a flight danger and would possibly intimidate witnesses if launched. At a listening to in Manhattan federal courtroom, Combs’ attorneys renewed their request to let him await trial on intercourse trafficking and racketeering expenses below home arrest at his Miami mansion, as soon as once more providing to pay a $50 million bond and undergo different strict necessities. However similar to a Justice of the Peace choose had dominated a day earlier, Decide Andrew L. Carter stated that Diddy should as an alternative await the trial in a Brooklyn federal jail, citing issues that the once-powerful government might pose a hazard to others or hinder the federal government’s case.
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Sept. 20, 2024: Positioned on ‘Procedural’ Suicide Watch
Whereas being held in custody on the Metropolitan Detention Heart in Brooklyn, N.Y., Combs was positioned on suicide watch — one thing an insider instructed NBC Information is “procedural with high-profile shoppers.”
Shortly afterward, a spokesperson for Combs instructed Billboard, “Mr. Combs is robust, wholesome and centered on his protection. He’s dedicated to combating this case and has full confidence in each his authorized workforce and the reality.”
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Sept. 24, 2024: One other Girl Sues Over ‘Brutal Assault’
Lower than per week after Combs was indicted, Thalia Graves filed a complaint in Manhattan federal courtroom alleging that the mogul and his head of safety, Joseph Sherman, had as soon as remoted her, drugged her and sexually assaulted her at Combs’ studio. The lawsuit additionally claimed that the rapper filmed the assault and later confirmed it to others.
The transfer made Graves no less than the eleventh alleged sufferer to file a lawsuit in opposition to Combs in a 12 months. “For many years, she remained silent and didn’t report the crime out of worry that defendants would use their energy to spoil her life, as they’d repeatedly, explicitly threatened to do,” stated her attorneys in an announcement. “To this present day, plaintiff suffers from extreme melancholy, nervousness, and panic assaults, and nonetheless lives in worry of defendants.”
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Sept. 26, 2024: But One other Girl Comes Ahead
Beneath the pseudonym Jane Doe, one other girl — recognized solely as a Florida mannequin — filed a lawsuit in opposition to Combs in New York state courtroom alleging a number of accounts of abuse beginning in 2020. The girl additionally claimed that Combs typically gave her medicine and used different coercive ways, pressured her to contain different men and women of their sexual actions and used “coercive and harassing language” that made her worry for her personal security.
In 2022, Jane Doe says she grew to become pregnant shortly after having intercourse with Combs. The producer then allegedly “harassed” her by repeatedly demanding she get an abortion, after which she claims to have suffered a miscarriage.
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Oct. 1, 2024: Legal professional Threatens 120-Individual Lawsuit
At an Oct. 1 press convention, Houston-based legal professional Tony Buzbee claimed that his legislation agency and AVA Legislation Group have been collectively making ready to characterize at least 120 individuals in authorized circumstances in opposition to Combs. Some 25 of these people have been minors when Combs allegedly assaulted them, Buzbee stated, whereas the alleged incidents date again to 1991.
“We’ll expose the enablers who enabled this conduct behind closed doorways” Buzbee stated throughout the information convention, including that his agency and AVA would proceed vetting potential Diddy accusers after being contacted by greater than 3,000 individuals. “We’ll pursue this matter regardless of who the proof implicates.”
In response, Combs’ legal professional Erica Wolff issued an announcement: “As Mr. Combs’ authorized workforce has emphasised, he can’t deal with each meritless allegation in what has turn out to be a reckless media circus. That stated, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any declare that he sexually abused anybody, together with minors. He seems ahead to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in courtroom, the place the reality will likely be established primarily based on proof, not hypothesis.”
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Oct. 6, 2024: Combs’ Mother Defends Her Son
In an announcement by legal professional Natlie G. Figgers, the mogul’s mom, Janice Combs, declared that her son isn’t guilty. “My son is just not the monster they’ve painted him to be, and he deserves the prospect to inform his aspect,” she stated. “It’s heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the reality, however for a story created out of lies.”
“To bear witness [to] what appears to be like a public lynching of my son earlier than he has had the chance to show his innocence is a ache too insufferable to place into phrases,” her assertion continued. “Like each human being, my son deserves to have his day in courtroom, to lastly share his aspect, and to show his innocence.”
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Oct. 9, 2024: Combs’ Attorneys Accuse Feds of Leaking ‘Damaging’ Proof
In a scathing submitting, Combs’ legal professional Marc Agnifilio demanded an investigation into whether or not federal authorities had unlawfully leaked “damaging” proof — together with the lodge surveillance video of his consumer assaulting Cassie in 2016 — to the media. The alleged leaks, Agnifilio claimed, served to create “extremely prejudicial pre-trial publicity that may solely taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his proper to a good trial.”
Calling the Cassie video the “most egregious instance” of the alleged leaks, the legal professional added that it was only one in a “lengthy and documented historical past of leaks and false statements made with one goal: to savage Mr. Combs’ repute previous to trial.”
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Oct. 10, 2024: Trial Date Set
On Oct. 10, 2024, Combs’ trial start-date was set for Could 5, 2025.
The order was issued by Decide Arun Subramanian — who changed Andrew L. Carter because the presiding choose over the case the week prior — at a stay listening to. The trial date aligned with what the rapper’s authorized workforce had needed, along with his attorneys beforehand requesting to get the case earlier than a jury in April or Could.
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Oct. 14, 2024: Hit With 6 New Lawsuits
Weeks after Tony Buzbee claimed that he and AVA Legislation Group have been representing no less than 120 alleged victims, Buzbee and Los Angeles legal professional Andrew Van Arsdale filed the first six of their shoppers’ sexual abuse circumstances in opposition to Diddy on Oct. 14 in Manhattan federal courtroom. 4 of the circumstances got here from male accusers, whereas two got here from girls.
One girl’s submitting claimed that Combs lured her into a toilet at a 1995 promotional occasion for a Infamous B.I.G. music video, then violently raped her. One other swimsuit from a person claimed that Combs sexually assaulted him in 1998 when he was 16 years outdated and attending one of many rapper’s famed “white events” within the Hamptons.
In a response, Combs’ attorneys once more denied guilt on behalf of their consumer. “The press convention and 1-800 quantity that preceded as we speak’s barrage of filings have been clear makes an attempt to garner publicity,” they wrote, referring to a phone hotline established by Buzbee and Van Arsdale for alleged victims to contact them. “Mr. Combs and his authorized workforce have full confidence within the information, their authorized defenses, and the integrity of the judicial course of. In courtroom, the reality will prevail: that Mr. Combs has by no means sexually assaulted anybody — grownup or minor, man or girl.”
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Oct. 16, 2024: Combs Asks Decide to Establish His Alleged Victims Earlier than Trial
Arguing that forming an satisfactory protection can be not possible with out understanding the names of Combs’ alleged victims, the rapper’s attorneys filed a motion asking that prosecutors be compelled to reveal the identities of nameless plaintiffs accusing him of abuse.
“The federal government is forcing him, unfairly, to play a guessing a recreation—one made all of the tougher by the onslaught of baseless allegations that determined plaintiffs are lodging at him (for essentially the most half anonymously) in civil fits designed to precise a payoff from Mr. Combs and others,” legal professional Marc Agnifilo wrote within the submitting. “With out readability from the federal government, Mr. Combs has no manner of understanding which allegations the federal government is counting on for functions of the Indictment.”
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Oct. 20, 2024: One other Wave of Lawsuits
Attorneys Andrew Van Arsdale and Tony Buzbee filed another six civil abuse circumstances in opposition to Combs on Oct. 20, 2024. Amongst them have been claims of assaults occurring as late as 2022 in addition to an accusation that the mogul sexually assaulted a 13-year-old lady at a home occasion in 2000 within the presence of different unnamed celebrities, who additionally allegedly participated within the assault.
The filings additionally included reviews of Combs allegedly drugging and forcing women and men into sexual eventualities on a number of events, together with an unnamed musical artist who accused the rapper of raping her at a celebration and a private coach who claimed that Combs compelled him to have interaction in intercourse acts with others in 2022.
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Oct. 22, 2024: Combs’ Youngsters Stand By Him
Combs’ grownup kids collectively broke their silence with an announcement in help of their father on Oct. 22. “The previous month has devastated our household,” learn an Instagram post from Quincy Brown, 33, Justin Combs, 30, King Combs, 26, Likelihood Combs, 18, and twins Jessie and D’Lila Combs, 17.
“Many have judged each him and us primarily based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives which have spiraled into absurdity on social media,” the message continued. “We stand united, supporting you each step of the way in which. We maintain onto the reality, understanding it would prevail, and nothing will break the power of our household. WE MISS YOU & LOVE YOU DAD.”
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Oct. 28, 2024: Pair of ‘John Doe’ Lawsuits Filed in New York
A pair of “John Doe” lawsuits have been filed within the New York Supreme Courtroom to shut out October 2024. One claims he was sexually assaulted by Diddy and his bodyguard at simply 17 years outdated in 2008 whereas auditioning for Making the Band. He alleges that Diddy masturbated in entrance of him and was eradicated from the present on account of reservations about performing oral intercourse on Diddy’s bodyguard.
Per Vulture, the opposite criticism alleges he was assaulted by Combs as a 10-year-old following an “audition” the place he was compelled to carry out oral intercourse on the embattled Dangerous Boy CEO and finally misplaced consciousness.
Diddy’s attorneys have denied the allegations. “The lawyer behind this lawsuit is serious about media consideration fairly than the reality, as is clear from his fixed press appearances and 1-800 quantity,” they stated.
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Nov. 19, 2024: Legal professional Tony Buzbee Information Extra Lawsuits Towards Diddy
Tony Buzbee filed one other trio of sexual assault lawsuits in opposition to Diddy in New York Federal Courtroom. One claimed Diddy assaulted her at his July 4 occasion in New York when she was 17, whereas one other sufferer alleged she was assaulted by Combs as an 18-year-old following a nightclub Halloween occasion in NYC. The third nameless swimsuit was filed by John Doe and he claimed to be the sufferer of rape at a Combs after-party in 2022.
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Nov. 29, 2024: Diddy Accused of Threatening to Kill & Dangling Girl Over Balcony
A clothier claimed Diddy strangled and dangled her off a Sixteenth-floor balcony in 2016. Per Rolling Stone, Bryana “Bana” Bongolan filed a 17-page lawsuit in opposition to Combs for “sexual battery, infliction of emotional misery, and false imprisonment” in Los Angeles. Bongolan is looking for $10 million in damages.
“Ms. Bongolan refuses to permit this worry to manage the remainder of her life and brings this motion to demand that Mr. Combs takes duty for the trauma he deliberately and maliciously inflicted,” her legal professional, James R. Nikraftar, stated.
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Dec. 8, 2024: Jay-Z & Diddy Accused of Raping 13-Yr-Outdated Lady At 2000 VMAs Afterparty
Jay-Z and Diddy have been accused of taking turns raping a 13-year-old girl at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in New York Metropolis. The nameless Jane Doe accuser claims she was drugged and assaulted by the pair of rap titans in a civil criticism filed in New York by Texas legal professional Tony Buzbee.
Jay’s legal professional, Alex Spiro, denied the claims and expects the swimsuit to be dismissed within the coming days. Spiro additionally distanced his client from Diddy.
“Mr. Carter has nothing to do with Mr. Combs’ case or Mr. Combs,” he acknowledged of their relationship. “They knew one another professionally for plenty of years. Identical to in all professions, individuals know one another. At music awards, they help one another. They go to the NBA All-Star Sport, they help one another. That’s simply how professions work. There is no such thing as a nearer affiliation between any of them — that’s additionally a matter of fiction.”
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Dec. 13, 2024: Diddy Drops Bail Enchantment
After repeated makes an attempt at being granted bail have been shut down, Diddy lastly dropped his bail appeal on Dec. 13. The Dangerous Boy CEO will stay behind bars contained in the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Heart till his trial begins, which is slated for Could.
“Mr. Combs doesn’t search to attraction the district courtroom’s denial of his renewed movement and hereby strikes to voluntarily dismiss the attraction,” the doc filed by his attorneys reads.
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Dec. 20, 2024: One other Pair of Rape Lawsuits Filed Towards Diddy
Per TMZ, Diddy was slammed with one other pair of lawsuits forward of Christmas. The primary — filed anonymously by legal professional Tony Buzbee — claims she was raped by Diddy earlier than he was well-known at a New York charity basketball occasion in December 1991.
The second was reportedly filed by Oklahoma native LaTroya Grayson in opposition to Diddy and Dangerous Boy Data, who claims she was drugged and raped by Combs in 2006 at a celebration after successful a radio station contest.
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Jan. 27, 2025: Investigation Discovery Drops ‘The Fall of Diddy’ Docuseries
Investigation Discovery’s The Fall of Diddy docuseries unpacks the jarring sexual misconduct allegations and quite a few lawsuits in opposition to Diddy. The four-part docuseries arrived on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28. Those that labored for him, went to school with him and extra went on document to element their experiences in addition to those that claimed he abused them.
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Jan. 30, 2025: Prosecutors File Amended Indictment With New Victims
The superseding indictment alleges that Diddy and his associates paid lodge employees $100,000 for the 2016 surveillance video that confirmed him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie. Combs was accused of kidnapping and working a racketeering conspiracy since 2004.
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Feb. 3, 2025: Diddy Accused of Sexually Assaulting Man at Afterparty in 2015
The new lawsuit — filed by a John Doe — claims the person was drugged and assaulted by Diddy after acting at a present in Los Angeles. Doe provides that he was allegedly lured by the musician with the promise of a document deal.
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Feb. 14, 2025: Diddy & Jay-Z Rape Lawsuit Dismissed
A sprawling civil lawsuit accusing Jay-Z and Combs of drugging and raping a 13-year-old lady at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in New York Metropolis in 2000 was voluntarily dismissed on Feb. 14. The case was dismissed with prejudice and can’t be refiled. Legal professional Tony Buzbee didn’t return Billboard‘s request for remark following the dismissal.
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Feb. 18, 2025: Diddy’s Attorneys File Movement to Dismiss Intercourse Trafficking Cost, Declare Racist Origins
Diddy’s authorized workforce filed a movement looking for the dismissal of the intercourse trafficking cost within the hip-hop mogul’s indictment. Citing racist motives, the attorneys made the submitting in New York federal courtroom, arguing that “no white particular person has ever been the goal of a remotely comparable prosecution” below The Mann Act.
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Feb. 21, 2025: Diddy’s Legal professional Withdraws From Authorized Workforce
Legal professional Anthony Ricco filed a movement within the Southern District of New York to withdraw from representing Combs any additional within the intercourse trafficking case. He acknowledged that “by no means can I proceed to successfully function counsel for Sean Combs, according to the ABA Requirements for Felony Justice.” Diddy will proceed to be represented by 5 different attorneys on document. Ricco had served on Diddy’s protection since Sept. 22, 2024.
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Feb. 27, 2025: Diddy Sued by Male Escort for Sexual Assault
Filed within the Southern District of New York by John Doe, the alleged sufferer, who identifies as a male escort, claims that Combs sexually assaulted him after which threatened him to stay quiet. Doe says he met Diddy in 2012 by his Florida-based male companion service, and got here to New York to satisfy the disgraced Dangerous Boy mogul. Doe claims he was assaulted by Diddy at a collection within the Intercontinental Resort. The sufferer is looking for compensatory damages for emotional misery within the swimsuit together with punitive damages.
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March 14, 2025: Diddy Pleads Not Responsible
Diddy returned to federal courtroom in New York Metropolis on March 14, the place he filed a not guilty plea in opposition to one other model of the indictment hitting him with varied expenses stemming from 20 years of alleged intercourse trafficking crimes.
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March 19, 2025: Legal professional Tony Buzbee Withdraws From 15 Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Towards Diddy
Texas-based legal professional Tony Buzbee withdraws from 15 of the greater than 20 lawsuits he’s filed relating to sexual abuse in opposition to Diddy. Buzzbee was not allowed to follow legislation within the Southern District of New York, which resulted in his withdrawal, however he promised to treatment the state of affairs.
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March 25, 2025: Diddy Wins Dismissal of Lil Rod’s RICO Claims in Lawsuit
A federal choose threw out civil racketeering accusations made below the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones in his sweeping lawsuit in opposition to Diddy. Nonetheless, different components of the producer’s sexual abuse swimsuit will likely be allowed to maneuver ahead. The The choose stated Jones hadn’t proven the connection between the alleged unlawful “enterprise” operated by Diddy triggered him to renege on paying Jones for his work on the Love Album.
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April 3, 2025: Prosecutors Add Extra Intercourse Crimes to Indictment Towards Diddy
Prosecutors added more charges to the sweeping indictment in opposition to Diddy. The brand new expenses embrace one depend of intercourse trafficking and a depend of transporting the sufferer to have interaction in prostitution. Combs is accused of utilizing power to coerce a girl to have interaction in business intercourse acts as just lately as 2024. With the brand new expenses, the overall has bumped from three to 5. Attorneys for Diddy proceed to disclaim all the expenses in opposition to him.
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April 15, 2025: Diddy Provides Younger Thug’s Lawyer Brian Metal to Authorized Workforce
Diddy added extra firepower to his authorized workforce when Brian Steel agreed to return on board. Metal represented Younger Thug within the YSL RICO case. Metal filed docs requesting to be a part of Diddy’s workforce of attorneys on April 15, simply weeks forward of when jury choice is about to start on Could 5.
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April 17, 2025: Diddy Requests Cassie Assault Footage Ban From Trial
Attorneys for Diddy filed a movement on April 17 trying to ban the notorious Cassie hotel assault footage from 2016 from use at trial. The authorized workforce argued that the clip has been “altered, manipulated, sped-up, and edited to be out of sequence,” which might make it unusable within the courtroom as proof.
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April 18, 2025: Diddy Loses Bid to Delay Trial
A Manhattan federal judge denied Diddy’s bid to delay his intercourse trafficking trial, which is slated to start jury choice on Could 5. The choose deemed Diddy’s request to be too near the trial date. Diddy’s authorized workforce made the submitting on April 16, arguing they didn’t have sufficient time to arrange for trial after prosecutors added extra expenses to the sweeping indictment.
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Could 12, 2025: Male Escort Says He Witnessed Diddy Abusing Cassie
Daniel Philips, a male escort who participated in quite a few freak offs, testified throughout the path about how medicine, intercourse and urination fueled the orgies hosted by Diddy. He even claimed to witness Diddy bodily abusing Cassie throughout the freak offs. “I used to be shocked. It got here out of nowhere. I used to be terrified,” Philips stated.
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Could 13, 2025: Cassie Testifies Towards Diddy
A pregnant Cassie took the stand for an emotional 4 days of testimony throughout the trial, recalling the bodily, psychological and sexual abuse she was a sufferer of by the hands of Diddy. “Sean managed a whole lot of my life, whether or not it was my profession, the way in which I dressed — all the pieces,” Ventura stated. “I simply didn’t have a lot say in it on the time.” Video of the alleged “freak offs” was proven to the jury in addition to the disturbing 2016 lodge footage, which noticed Diddy bodily assault Cassie. “The freak offs grew to become a job, the place there wasn’t any house to do anything however to get better and simply attempt to really feel like regular once more.” she stated throughout her testimony.
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Could 16, 2025: Justin Bieber Addresses If He Was a Diddy Sufferer
Following Diddy’s arrest and within the lead-up to his trial, there have been loads of rumors swirling round whether or not or not Justin Bieber was a sufferer of Diddy’s abuse whereas rising as a baby star. A rep for JB shut down the claims, although, stating that “though Justin is just not amongst Sean Combs’ victims, there are people who have been genuinely harmed by him. Shifting focus away from this actuality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.”
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Could 20, 2025: Cassie’s Mom Testifies Towards Diddy
Cassie’s mom, Regina Ventura, took the stand and defined how she was “scared for my daughter’s security” all through her relationship with Diddy. Ventura additionally claimed she as soon as wired Diddy $20,000 after he threatened to leak a intercourse tape of her daughter throughout her testimony.
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Could 22, 2025: Child Cudi Takes Stand, Alleges Diddy Blew Up His Automotive Over Cassie Romance
Child Cudi took the stand for an hours-long testimony, which noticed him element his short-lived romance in 2011 with Cassie, which despatched Diddy into an alleged rage. The rapper detailed a narrative through which he claimed that the mogul broke into his dwelling, and later allegedly torched his Porsche. Reacting to a photograph of the burned automobile in courtroom, Cudi stated “It seems like the highest of my Porsche was lower open, and that’s the place the Molotov cocktail was put in.”
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Could 30, 2025: President Donald Trump Says He’d Think about Pardoning Diddy
Donald Trump was requested a couple of potential pardon for Diddy within the midst of the disgraced mogul’s trial, and the president stated he’d “have a look at the information” of the case earlier than making a choice.
“I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Trump stated. “He used to essentially like me loads. I believe after I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. … I would definitely have a look at the information. If I believe someone was mistreated, whether or not they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impression on me.”
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June 5, 2025: Nameless Ex-Girlfriend Testifies Towards Diddy
An nameless ex-girlfriend of Diddy’s took the stand below the pseudonym “Jane.” She claimed to be coerced into collaborating in freak-offs that noticed her have intercourse with a number of escorts over 24 hours. Jane says she felt obligated to participate as a result of Diddy was paying her payments and hire. She claims Diddy rejected requests to cease when she was in ache or to have the companions use condoms.
“I don’t need to play this position in your life anymore. It’s darkish, sleazy and makes me really feel disgusted with myself,” Jane wrote in a single revealed textual content message to Combs. “I don’t need to really feel obligated to carry out these nights with you in worry of shedding the roof over my head.”
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June 10, 2025: Movement for Mistrial Denied
A federal choose denied a movement for a mistrial from Diddy’s protection workforce in his intercourse trafficking trial. Combs’ attorneys claimed that Bryana Bongolan’s testimony was falsely launched. “This isn’t fodder for a mistrial. That is the adversarial course of at work,” Decide Arun Subramanian stated.
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July 2, 2025: The Verdict Is In
A day after the jury instructed a choose it had selected 4 of 5 verdicts, it got here again to the courtroom with its resolution on the ultimate depend. The Dangerous Boy mogul was discovered not responsible on the 2 most severe expenses — intercourse trafficking and racketeering — and convicted on two expenses of transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
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July 2, 2025: Aubrey O’Day Says She’s ‘Bodily Sick’ Over Trial Verdict
The Danity Kane alum, who has been outspoken in opposition to Diddy and his historical past of abuse, filmed her stay reaction because the cut up verdict was learn on TV. “Oh, this makes me bodily sick,” O’Day stated in a clip posted to social media. “Cassie most likely feels so horrible. I’m gonna vomit.”