Lawyer cites 300 potential cases against Diddy

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, a prominent figure in the music industry, is currently facing serious legal challenges. A lawyer named Tony Buzbee, who represents several individuals claiming to be victims of Diddy, has stated that the number of potential civil lawsuits against the musician could be around 300. Since Buzbee held a press conference in October to seek clients, his office has received approximately 3,000 calls from people wanting to share their experiences. To date, Buzbee has filed 20 lawsuits on behalf of these individuals, and he estimates that the final number of cases that will actually go to court will be between 100 and 150. Some claims may not be heard in court due to time limits for filing lawsuits in certain states. Diddy has vehemently denied all allegations against him, describing them as 'sickening' and suggesting that they stem from individuals seeking a 'quick payday. ' His legal team has characterized the numerous civil lawsuits, including the claims of 300 potential victims, as part of a 'reckless media circus. ' They argue that Buzbee's press conference and the establishment of a toll-free number for tips are merely attempts to gain publicity. In a statement to the BBC, Diddy's attorney, Erica Wolff, expressed confidence in the facts and the judicial process, asserting that 'in court, the truth will prevail. ' She emphasized that Diddy has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone, regardless of age or gender. Currently, Diddy is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Manhattan, awaiting trial on separate criminal charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering, which he also denies. Tony Buzbee is a well-known attorney in the United States, recognized for his bold personality and aggressive legal tactics. He has been described by the New York Times as a 'big, mean, ambitious, tenacious, fire-breathing Texas trial lawyer. ' Buzbee gained notoriety for his successful lawsuits against the energy company BP following a tragic explosion at an oil refinery in Texas City that resulted in the deaths of 15 people. He has also defended former Texas governor Rick Perry against allegations of abuse of power. More recently, Buzbee represented a group of women who reached settlements with NFL player Deshaun Watson over accusations of sexual assault during private massage sessions. Buzbee's involvement with Diddy began last year when his co-counsel, Andrew Van Arsdale, started receiving calls from individuals claiming to be victims of the music mogul. Buzbee noted that Van Arsdale felt overwhelmed by the number of calls and realized he needed assistance. After agreeing to help, Buzbee encouraged potential victims to reach out through an Instagram post. Within ten days, his team received 3,000 calls, which were screened by a group of lawyers and former law enforcement officials. They compiled a list of clients with cases that were deemed viable and thoroughly vetted. Buzbee believes that while the potential number of cases is around 300, the realistic expectation is that only 100 to 150 will ultimately proceed to court. The alleged victims include both men and women, and their accusations span a period of 20 years. Among the claims is a woman who alleges that Diddy raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student, as well as a young musician who claims he was drugged and forced to perform oral sex at the age of 10. Diddy's legal team has denied these allegations, asserting that he has never sexually assaulted anyone, regardless of age or gender. The lawsuits have been filed anonymously, with the alleged victims referred to as John Doe or Jane Doe in court documents. However, Diddy's lawyers have requested that the courts reveal the identities of the plaintiffs so that he can adequately prepare for any potential trial. In three cases, including that of the 19-year-old woman, judges have ruled that the plaintiffs must disclose their names for their claims to proceed. Buzbee stated that if the plaintiffs are forced to reveal their identities, Diddy hopes they will withdraw their claims. However, he is confident that this will not happen, as he has screened the cases to ensure that those who come forward are committed to pursuing their claims. Buzbee has taken similar steps in the Deshaun Watson case, where several women publicly attached their names to their lawsuits after being challenged by Watson's legal team. One particular lawsuit has garnered significant attention because it alleges that other celebrities were involved in Diddy's alleged crimes. This case, filed in New York in October, involves a 13-year-old girl who claims she became disoriented after accepting a drink at one of Diddy's parties. She alleges that a man, initially referred to as 'Celebrity A,' removed her clothes and raped her while Diddy and another woman, identified as 'Celebrity B,' watched. Recently, speculation has arisen that 'Celebrity A' is the famous rapper Jay-Z. In response to the allegations, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, called the claims 'idiotic' and accused Buzbee of attempting to blackmail him by threatening to reveal his name. Jay-Z expressed his support for genuine victims and criticized Buzbee for exploiting their stories for profit. Diddy's legal team has also denied the allegations and characterized the extortion claims against Buzbee as an attempt to discredit the lawsuits. Buzbee has countered that the lawsuits are legitimate and that Diddy is simply trying to avoid accountability. He believes it is likely that more high-profile figures in the music industry will be implicated in the upcoming trials. Buzbee stated, 'If you just look at the conduct that's being alleged, it's pretty ubiquitous. There was a culture that was created, a party culture, where anything goes. ' He added that there was a general perception that Diddy was above the law and could act without consequences. Social media has been rife with speculation linking various individuals to Diddy's alleged crimes, often based on little more than old photos from parties. However, there is no substantial evidence to support these claims. Additionally, there have been numerous false reports, including a fake biography supposedly written by Diddy's late partner, Kim Porter, and a viral song that falsely attributed lyrics to Justin Bieber. Diddy's lawyers have argued that the numerous 'false and outrageous' claims being made could prejudice potential jurors. Buzbee disagrees, asserting that jurors are capable of evaluating the evidence fairly. He believes that most people will judge the claims based on their merits rather than being swayed by media coverage. As the legal proceedings unfold, Diddy maintains his innocence and is prepared to fight the allegations in court. However, it may take a considerable amount of time for the civil cases to be heard, as the criminal trial against Diddy must conclude first. A former federal prosecutor explained that this is necessary because the Fifth Amendment allows individuals to remain silent, and statements made in civil cases could potentially incriminate them in criminal cases. The criminal trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2025, and it is expected that the legal battles surrounding Diddy will continue to develop in the coming months.