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A Complete Timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Assault and Harassment Accusations

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A Black man wearing dark sunglasses and a red coat faces the camera, visible from the shoulders up.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at the MTV VMAs in September 2023, where he won the Global Icon award. (ANGELA WEISS/ AFP via Getty Images)

On March 25, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ houses in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security agents, apparently prompted by an ongoing federal investigation in New York.

The home searches were the culmination of months of legal trouble for the rap mogul after he was accused by multiple individuals of sex trafficking, assault and harassment. The alleged incidents span over several years, with some dating back decades.

Here are all the accusations that Combs has so far faced and, in some cases, already settled.

May 8, 2017: Combs’ former chef sues

Cindy Rueda, Combs’ former chef, sued Combs in 2017 for sexual harassment, a hostile work environment and wrongful dismissal.

Rueda’s suit alleged that, during her time working for Combs, between Jan. 2016 and May 8, 2016, she was:

  • Chronically underpaid and expected to work excessive hours
  • Asked to serve food to Combs and his guests “while … or immediately following sexual activity”
  • Exposed to “offensive objects”
  • Sexually harassed by Combs while he was naked
  • Sexually harassed by one of Combs’ naked friends while she was cooking
  • Falsely accused of theft and fired after complaining about her working conditions

A representative for Combs called Rueda “disgruntled” and the lawsuit “frivolous.” The two ultimately settled the case in February of 2019.

Nov. 16, 2023: Cassie sues, Combs quickly settles

A Black man wearing a suit and very long couture coat stands holding hands with a Black woman wearing an elaborate black gown and purse in the shape of a skull.
Sean Combs and Cassie at the 2017 Met Gala. (Clint Spaulding/ Penske Media via Getty Images)

Singer Casandra Ventura — better known as Cassie — filed a lawsuit in November of 2023 that accused Combs of ongoing abuse during a relationship that started in 2005 and lasted over a decade. Ventura was 19 when she met the then-37-year-old Combs. Cassie’s self-titled album was released by his Bad Boy Records in 2006.

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Ventura’s suit alleged that Combs:

  • Raped Ventura after she attempted to leave him
  • Beat and kicked Ventura, causing multiple injuries
  • “Blew up a man’s car” after learning of his romantic interest in Ventura
  • Forced Ventura to engage in “sex acts with male sex workers while masturbating and filming the encounters” in different cities across the U.S.
  • Required Ventura to “procure illicit prescriptions” for his personal use

On Nov. 17, just one day after Ventura filed the case, Combs settled with her for an undisclosed amount.

On May 17, 2024, surveillance footage was released by CNN showing Combs shoving, kicking and dragging Cassie across the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. Combs posted an apology video to Instagram, stating in part: “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it, and I’m disgusted now.”

Nov. 23, 2023: Joi Dickerson-Neal sues

Joi Dickerson-Neal — who ran in similar circles to Combs, and also appeared with him in Finesse & Synquis’ “Straight From The Soul” music video — accused Combs of drugging and raping her in 1991.

Dickerson-Neal’s November 2023 lawsuit alleges that, while the two were out having dinner, Combs secretly drugged her drink, leaving her “in a physical state where she could not independently stand or walk.” The lawsuit goes on to allege that Dickerson-Neal, then 19 years old, was later taken to Combs’ home, raped and filmed without her consent. The suit also alleges that Combs showed the video to a group of men that included her friend DeVante Swing from Jodeci. It was Swing, Dickerson-Neal claims, who alerted her to the existence of the tape.

Shortly after Dickerson-Neal filed her lawsuit, a representative for Combs told multiple outlets that it was “a money grab.”

Nov. 23, 2023: Liza Gardner sues

Liza Gardner filed a lawsuit that accused Combs and singer Aaron Hall of a series of assaults against her and her then-roommate in 1990. At the time, Gardner was 16 and on vacation in New York with some friends from North Carolina who had connections in the music industry.

The suit alleges that, after providing Gardner and her friend with alcohol during an MCA Records event, Combs and Hall invited them back to Hall’s for an afterparty where more alcohol was provided. At some point in the evening, Gardner says she was coerced into having sex with Combs, which left her feeling “shocked and traumatized.” As Gardner was getting dressed afterwards, the court filing alleges, “Hall barged into the room, pinned her down, and forced [her] to have sex with him.”

The suit alleges that Gardner’s roommate was also forced to have sex with both men in another room. Further, it alleged that Combs, concerned that one of the girls might tell other people what happened, came to where the teens were staying a few days later and choked Gardner to the point that she passed out.

Dec. 6, 2023: Jane Doe sues

Two Black men pose for the camera wearing black hats and clothes. One of them is smiling with his mouth open and wearing sunglasses.
Harve Pierre and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in New York, March 2010. (Johnny Nunez/ WireImage)

In December, a Canadian woman alleged that when she was 17, she was raped by Combs, then-president of Bad Boy Records Harve Pierre, and a third, unnamed man.

In court filings, Doe alleged that the 2003 incident happened in a bathroom at Combs’ Daddy’s House Recording Studio in New York City after the teenager had been “plied with drugs and alcohol.” The woman claimed she was introduced to Combs over the phone after meeting Pierre and the third man in a Detroit lounge. Combs allegedly persuaded her to fly to New Jersey by private jet with the two men shortly afterwards. Photos included in the lawsuit are said to show Doe in the studio with Combs.

Before they left, Pierre allegedly smoked crack and forced Doe to give him oral sex.

In November, Pierre was named in a separate suit by a former assistant, accusing him of multiple incidents of sexual harassment and assault during 2016 and 2017. “Seeing other women bravely speak out against Mr. Combs and Mr. Pierre, respectively,” Doe’s complaint stated, “gave Ms. Doe the confidence to tell her story as well.”

Combs released a statement saying, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”

February 2024: ‘Love Album’ producer sues

Producer and videographer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed a $30 million lawsuit against Combs as well as a variety of Combs’ business and personal associates. The suit concerned incidents Jones says took place between September of 2022 and November of 2023, while he was working on Combs’ The Love Album.

The lawsuit alleged that Combs:

  • Repeatedly groped and touched Jones against his will
  • Entertained underage girls at his homes
  • Forced Jones to solicit sex workers and engage in intimate acts with them
  • Served drinks laced with drugs at parties
  • Asked Jones to work in the same room while Combs was naked
  • Forced Jones to lie to police about a shooting incident in which one man was injured

The court filing also included multiple screenshots claimed to pertain to the allegations. (Jones alleged that he was required to film Combs at length and that he recorded hours of footage of the rapper and others “engaging in serious illegal activity.”)

One of Combs’ attorneys called the allegations “pure fiction” and “a transparent attempt to garner headlines.”

March 25, 2024: Home raids begin

At dusk, three officers wearing HSI vests stand in a paved driveway. One of them is leading a German Shepherd away.
Homeland Security Investigation agents are seen at the entrance Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ home at Star Island in Miami Beach on March 25, 2024. (GIORGIO VIERA/ AFP via Getty Images)

After Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided, Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”

In a statement about the raid, Combs’ attorney Aaron Dyer said: “This unprecedented ambush — paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence — leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”

April 4, 2024: Grace O’Marcaigh sues Combs and his son

In December 2022, O’Marcaigh worked as a crew member on a yacht that Combs had leased for the holidays. The then-25-year-old worked from 6 p.m to 6 a.m nightly, and was tasked with serving dinner and drinks to Combs, his friends and, allegedly, a variety of sex workers.

The lawsuit makes clear that O’Marcaigh strongly suspected that drinks on board were regularly laced with drugs. She also alleges that on Dec. 28, Combs’ son Christian arrived “heavily intoxicated,” manhandled her while she was trying to serve him drinks and forced her to sit with him. O’Marcaigh claims that, once in that position, she was intimately groped by both Sean and Christian Combs. In addition, the lawsuit includes transcripts of recordings apparently made by Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones in which O’Marcaigh repeatedly tells Christian to stop touching her, asks to leave since her shift has finished and openly questions the content of the tequila he is pressuring her to consume.

O’Marcaigh claims that Christian then used the excuse of needing to be shown to sleeping quarters in order to get her alone and sexually assault her. She says that she succeeded in getting away from him only after another staff member entered the room. O’Marcaigh says that she was forced to continue serving the Combs family even after complaining to the ship’s captain, and that the senior Combs had given the captain “a generous tip … in order to keep [him] quiet.”

May 21, 2024: Crystal McKinney files a lawsuit

McKinney’s lawsuit states that in 2003, when she was 22 and working as a model, she was introduced to Combs by a fashion designer in New York. After having dinner together, Combs invited McKinney to his studio where, she alleges, she was given a joint that she believes was laced with something stronger than weed.

McKinney says that once she was visibly intoxicated, Combs led her to a bathroom and forced her to perform oral sex, after which she passed out. McKinney claims she woke up in a taxi and quickly realized that she had been sexually assaulted. McKinney also believes that Combs then used his influence to hamper her career.

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If you are struggling with issues relating to sexual assault, please call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) or chat online with one of their counselors.

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