Houston attorney Tony Buzbee shared new and disturbing details about more than 100 lawsuits alleging sexual assault, exploitation, and abuse against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and other defendants during a press conference on Tuesday.
Buzbee emphasized that the cases, which represent 120 individuals, have gained momentum as more alleged victims come forward, many citing fears of backlash as a reason for previously staying silent.
“We will pursue this matter no matter who the evidence implicates. These brave victims who have stepped forward deserve nothing less,” Buzbee said.
He further described the victims as a diverse group, ranging in age and background, and stated that many were minors when the alleged abuse occurred. According to Buzbee, the accusations span over 25 years and include incidents that allegedly took place at private residences, hotels, and at the notorious “Freak Off” parties.
The alleged crimes detailed in the lawsuits include rape, sexual assault, and the use of controlled substances to incapacitate victims.
“Many of these people are scared,” Buzbee explained. “They fear backlash in their own families, and they fear retaliation from the perpetrators and their associates. They are rightly afraid for their own personal safety.”
The details shared during the press conference painted a grim picture of the alleged abuse. Buzbee recounted specific incidents involving young victims, with some as young as nine years old.
“Our youngest victim at the time of the occurrence was nine years old. We have an individual who was 14 years old. We have one who was 15. 25 of the 120 individuals were minors at the time of the acts complained of,” Buzbee revealed.
Buzbee revealed that since announcing the lawsuits, his office has received over 3,000 calls, and he expects the number of victims to grow. He also noted that the FBI has begun interviewing some of the alleged victims and his team is working to ensure that more individuals feel safe enough to come forward.
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Co-counsel Andrew Van Arsdale of the AVA Law Group, who also spoke at the press conference, described the influx of calls as unprecedented.
“Never, ever in a ten-day period have we seen over 3,000 people come forward. We’ve confirmed and decided to represent 120 people and are continuing to work through another 100-plus cases,” Van Arsdale said. He urged any additional victims or witnesses to contact their Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-200-7474 to report further information.
The lawsuits are not part of a class action but will be pursued individually, with each case filed based on its own merits, Buzbee clarified. He explained that while some lawsuits may only name Combs, others may include a range of additional defendants and entities that benefited from the alleged behavior.
“These defendants will not only include individuals but also corporate entities who ultimately profited off of this culture and behavior. I’m looking at banks, pharmaceutical companies, and hotels,” Buzbee said.
He emphasized the magnitude of the situation: “We know what we are up against, and as is always the case in situations like this, when a celebrity is involved, people can be downright mean and nasty. You would be shocked at the lengths fans will go to defend celebrities they love.”
The attorney also highlighted the difficulty for many victims to come forward, especially given the high-profile nature of the allegations.
“The victims who step forward to have their voices heard should not be subjected to that kind of conduct. They should not be targeted,” he said.
He reiterated that his firm starts each case with the belief that victims are telling the truth, but also ensures that each claim is meticulously vetted.
“I always start with the mindset that I believe victims. I believe victims because I understand the tremendous courage it takes to step forward. So, if you’re watching this, please hear me: If you are out there and you have been victimized, you are not alone. There is great strength in numbers,” Buzbee urged.
The lawsuits, when filed, will include claims of violent sexual assault, compelling prostitution, false imprisonment, sexual abuse of minors, and facilitated sex with a controlled substance, among others. Buzbee promised that this is only the beginning of what he hopes will be a national dialogue on sexual abuse and exploitation.
With the investigation still ongoing, Buzbee concluded by stating that more names of alleged perpetrators will be released once they have gathered sufficient evidence. “The day will come when we will name names other than Sean Combs,” he said. “The names that we’re going to name, assuming our investigators confirm and corroborate what we’ve been told, are names that will shock you.”
In response to the mounting allegations, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ attorney, Erica Wolff, issued a statement firmly denying all accusations and calling the situation a “reckless media circus.”
“As Mr. Combs’ legal team has emphasized, he 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. He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.”
For more information on how to report, individuals are encouraged to call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-200-7474.
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