Dec 124 min read

Diddy's demise

Updated: Dec 13

By Andrew Duval and Teresa Sun Dec. 11, 2024

Ten years ago, being offered "48 hours with Diddy" would invoke joy and celebration. Now, such words would strike the deepest of fears in the recipient. Sean "Diddy" Combs, also known as "Puff Daddy," "P. Diddy" and simply "Diddy," is a three-time Grammy winning label owner and rapper with prominent influence in the music world. However, his legacy is now being overshadowed by a series of grave allegations dating back to the beginning of his career.

The scandal erupted in November 2023 when Combs's former girlfriend, singer and model Cassandra Ventura filed a 35-page complaint initiating a federal lawsuit accusing him of sex trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic violence and forced drugging. Ventura detailed years of alleged abuse during their relationship, including being forced to participate in sometimes weekly "freak off" parties: elaborate, multi-day events known for their abundance of commercial sex workers, alcohol and drugs such as ketamine, cocaine, marijuana and GHB. Victims were often drugged to remain compliant to Combs's requests, including forced sexual encounters with various sex workers and unconsented recording of the misconduct, her allegation stated. Combs settled the lawsuit the day after it was filed, yet his attorney contented that this decision was not an admission of guilt.

After Ventura's lawsuit, numerous other victims-both men and women-filed their own lawsuits. They chronicled misconduct dating from 1990 to 2022 against those between the ages of nine and 38, involving rape, drugging and sex trafficking. Some lawsuits claimed that other celebrities were also involved. For example, in a December 2023 lawsuit, a woman named Lisa Gardner accused Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall of taking turns sexually assaulting her at age 16 in 1990. Although Combs settled his lawsuit with Ventura, he took no responsibility nor admitted his guilt.

Combs denied all accusations, claiming that they were all financially motivated. However, on May 15, CNN published 2016 camera footage depicting an intoxicated Combs physically assaulting Ventura by throwing glass vases at her and kicking her. Ventura's lawsuit claims that Combs paid the InterContinental Century City hotel $50,000 to hide the footage. A few days later, Combs posted a rare public apology to Ventura on both Instagram and Facebook.

Yet Combs has not only been under fire from his victims. On March 25, The Department of Homeland Security conducted a series of raids in a sex trafficking investigation, disclosing over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants; narcotics; multiple illegal firearms, including handguns, homemade firearms and three AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers (a crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison); and multiple electronic devices believed to contain critical evidence of Combs's alleged crimes.

On Sept. 16, Diddy was arrested after a grand jury indictment for racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He is being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn without bail, with his trial set for May 5, 2025. While in detention, Combs has made multiple requests for bail, which were denied due to concerns over witness tampering and obstruction of justice. his list of accusers continues to grow, with over 30 civil complaints filed since November 2023. If Combs is convicted, experts such as CNN legal analyst and former prosecutor Elie Honig predict he will receive a lengthy prison sentence of at least 15 years, with the possibility of a life sentence.

"Combs's sentence should be so much longer than 15-years-that time period is not even how long his abuse lasted for. A life sentence is much more fitting, because his victims deserve justice. Sexual abuse leaves a scar on a person for life, and he has destroyed multiple lives," Sophomore Kasey Hashiguchi said.

When asked about combs, well-known rapper and producer Devin Malik, popular for his solo rapping and production, declined to comment.

I ain't tryna talk 'bout Diddy," Malik said.

Other celebrities and rappers connected to Combs have also yet to speak up about the case, such as fellow rapper Jay-Z, ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and close friend Naomi Campbell. Their silence has been interpreted by several celebrity public relations managers such as Erich Schiffer and Doug Eldridge as an attempt to distance themselves from a stigmatic-and potentially dangerous-case.

As the legal proceedings against Combs unfold, the discovery of electronics, illegal firearms and other evidence has added another layer of complexity to the case. As more details continue to emerge, the world watches closely. awaiting justice for the victims and a resolution to one of the most high-profile cases in recent history.

About the Contributors

Andrew Duval is an avid enjoyer of music, and he loves to listen to it. He also like dogs because they are friendly. He loves journalism because of its power to inspire change.

Teresa Sun is a sophomore staff writer for the Charger Account. When she's not studying for her classes, she enjoys playing violin and dancing.

Jane Hong is a artist and a page editor. She enjoys trying out new art styles and this is her third year in journalism. Some of her hobbies include watching kdrama with her family, dancing, and painting. She also likes eating good food.