Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, a towering figure in the music industry, is on the brink of facing serious legal consequences as he prepares for a high-stakes trial set to begin on May 5, 2025. The 55-year-old rapper and mogul is charged with sex trafficking by force, transportation for purposes of prostitution, and racketeering, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. With more than 120 accusers alleging sexual misconduct over his three-decade career, the upcoming trial could be one of the most significant in the history of the music industry.
The legal troubles for Combs, who won his first Grammy 27 years ago, have escalated dramatically in recent months. The timeline of events leading up to the trial reveals a pattern of serious allegations, lawsuits, and a significant fallout from his actions. The allegations against him range from sexual assault and rape to coercion and manipulation, with many claiming that incidents occurred during his notorious parties.
In May 2017, the first significant lawsuit emerged when Cindy Rueda, Combs' personal chef, accused him of sexual harassment and failing to compensate her for overtime during her employment. This lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount in February 2019. However, it was just the beginning of a long series of accusations against the music mogul.
Fast forward to November 16, 2023, when former girlfriend Cassandra Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Combs, alleging rape, assault, coercion, and manipulation throughout their decade-long relationship. The lawsuit included troubling accounts of violent abuse and drug-fueled sex parties. Notably, the lawsuit also claimed that Combs destroyed the car of rapper Kid Cudi. Just two days later, on November 18, the lawsuit was reportedly settled on undisclosed terms.
As if that wasn't enough, on November 24, 2023, three additional women came forward to accuse Combs of sexual assault, with allegations dating back to 1991. One anonymous woman claimed she was coerced into having sex, while Joi Dickerson-Neal alleged she was drugged and assaulted. Liza Gardner, another accuser, claimed she was coerced into sex with Combs when she was merely 16 years old. Combs' legal team has dismissed these allegations as "money grabs".
In the months that followed, more lawsuits emerged, including one filed on December 6, 2023, by another anonymous woman who alleged that Combs was involved in a gang rape when she was just 17. February 27, 2024, saw music producer Rodney Jones Jr. accuse Combs of groping him and forcing him to hire prostitutes during the production of Combs' 2023 album, The Love Album: Off the Grid.
March 26, 2024, marked a significant moment when Combs' properties were raided, although no charges were filed at that time. However, the situation escalated on May 18, 2024, when footage of Combs assaulting Ventura was released to the public, showing him pushing her to the floor and kicking her. Combs later issued an apology, taking full responsibility for his actions in the video, stating, "I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now." Ventura also acknowledged the impact of domestic violence on her life.
By June 8, 2024, Howard University revoked Combs' honorary degree and returned his $1 million donation, while also terminating the scholarship program named after him. The fallout continued as Combs faced additional lawsuits, including one on July 4, 2024, where Adria English claimed she was groomed into sex trafficking at Combs' notorious "white parties" between 2004 and 2009.
As the year progressed, Combs found himself embroiled in legal battles from multiple fronts. On September 10, 2024, he failed to attend a hearing for a lawsuit filed by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, who claimed he was drugged and assaulted by Combs in 1997. A default judgment forced Combs to pay Cardello-Smith $100 million. By September 16, Combs was arrested on three counts of sex trafficking and racketeering, with prosecutors alleging that he was part of a criminal enterprise engaged in various crimes, including sex trafficking and forced labor.
In the following months, Combs' legal woes only multiplied. By October 1, 2024, over 120 individuals had come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to a barrage of lawsuits filed in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. The sheer volume of accusations has painted a troubling picture of Combs' conduct over the years.
As the trial approaches, Diddy made a recent appearance on April 25, 2025, where he was seen in a khaki jumpsuit, expressing gratitude to his legal team. Body language expert Judi James noted that his gestures of warmth towards his attorneys may have been part of a defense strategy to appear more relatable and trustworthy in the eyes of a potential jury.
However, the courtroom drama took a turn when Judge Arun Subramanian denied a motion from Combs' team to exclude what prosecutors have described as "some of the most damning evidence" against him, including video footage of the assault on Ventura. Diddy’s team argued that the footage would mislead the jury, but prosecutors countered that Combs had taken significant measures to prevent its release.
In a statement following the release of the video, Combs expressed remorse, saying, "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was f---ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses." He emphasized his commitment to becoming a better man, though the gravity of the allegations against him looms large as the trial date approaches.
With jury selection set to begin soon, the world watches closely as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs prepares to defend himself against a slew of serious charges that could alter the course of his legacy in the music industry forever. The implications of this trial extend beyond Combs himself, as they touch on broader issues of power, abuse, and accountability in the entertainment world.
