(Houston) A lawyer said Tuesday he represents 120 accusers who have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Sean “Diddy” Combs, a hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Tony Buzbee, a Houston attorney, said he expected charges to be filed sometime next month. Mr. Buzbee described the victims as 60 men and 60 women, and said 25 of them were minors at the time of the incident.
After the news conference in Texas, a lawyer for Combs said the artist “cannot respond to all of the baseless allegations in what has become an irresponsible media circus.”
“That said, Mr. Combs categorically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any allegation that he sexually abused anyone, including minors,” attorney Erica Wolff said in a statement. “He looks forward to proving his innocence and defending himself in court if complaints are filed and served, where the truth will be established based on evidence and not speculation. »
PHOTO ELIZABETH CONLEY, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Attorney Tony Buzbee at a press conference in Houston on Tuesday
Combs, 54, has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty Sept. 17 to federal charges that he used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims to turn themselves in. , drugged, to elaborate sexual performances with male sex workers during events nicknamed “Freak Offs”.
Other alleged victims have already filed complaints against Combs, including sexual assault.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to criminal conspiracy and sex trafficking. His lawyer said he was innocent and would fight to clear his name.
Combs is one of hip-hop’s most well-known music directors, producers and performers. He has won three Grammys and has worked with artists such as Notorious BIG, Mary J. Blige. G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112. He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, the influential Sean John fashion line, a vodka brand and the Revolt television channel. He sold his stake in the latter company in June this year.
Mr. Buzbee also represented women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.