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A lawyer has urged celebrities who attended parties thrown by rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs not to say anything that will draw them into the controversy.
Over 200 people have claimed they were sexually abused by Diddy, and other big names are now also being accused.
One woman has claimed that she was raped by Combs and rapper Jay-Z when she was 13. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, has strongly denied the allegation and is counter-suing her lawyer, Tony Buzbee, for extortion. The woman has admitted that there are inconsistencies in her recollection but says her claims are true.
Newsweek sought email comment on Tuesday from attorneys from Combs and Carter and from Buzbee, who is representing over 200 of Combs’ alleged victims.
Why It Matters
The case feeds into a wider social debate about toxic masculinity, sexual harassment and domestic violence.
Combs is currently in prison in Brooklyn, New York, awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
In a separate lawsuit, video emerged of him beating and kicking an ex-girlfriend in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, for which he has publicly apologized.
Celebrities who attended Diddy’s parties in New York, California and Florida are now trying to distance themselves from him as the fallout continues.
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
What To Know
Wayne Dennison, who represented Johnny Depp in his successful lawsuit against former partner Amber Heard, told Newsweek that celebrities should not make public statements as it will only link them to Combs in the public’s eye and may attract more lawsuits.
“The principal advice that I would provide celebrities known to have attended the now infamous parties thrown by Mr. Combs is to keep your head down,” Dennison said.
“Quite simply, there is no good reason to proactively address anything related to Mr. Combs unless and until you are dragged into the spotlight. “
“Prince Andrew’s disastrous effort to get out in front of the allegations concerning his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein should serve as a cautionary tale to those who hope to proactively persuade others that nothing untoward ever took place.”
A woman named Virginia Giuffre had claimed billionaire Jeffrey Epstein paid her $15,000 to have sex with Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles of England.
In 2019, Prince Andrew gave a disastrous interview to the BBC‘s current affairs program Newsnight, which only added fuel to the allegations.
He later settled Giuffre’s lawsuit for $16 million and stepped away from public duties.
What People Are Saying
The war of words between Jay-Z and Buzbee, continues.
On December 20, Buzbee filed a letter to New York judge Analisa Torres, in which he alleged “bad faith” by Jay-Z.
“The goal has been to blur the facts and rush a decision,” Buzbee’s letter claims.
“But there is aggressive advocacy and then there is bad faith. Mr. Carter’s latest tactics, much like his open threat to refer Plaintiff’s attorneys for disciplinary action, cross that line,” he wrote.
Jay-Z has vowed to continue with his extortion lawsuit against Buzbee.
What Happens Next
Diddy is due to go on trial in a New York criminal court on May 5, 2025 and pre-trial motions are continuing in that case. Dozens of lawsuits against him are also likely to come to court in 2025.
Other celebrities may be drawn into those lawsuits as disclosure proceedings continue.