“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” said Diddy in a video he posted to social media. The acknowledgement came following the release of footage that showed him attacking his ex-partner Cassie Ventura in a hotel in 2016. “I went and I sought out professional help, started going to therapy and rehab, had to ask god for his mercy and grace,”
Diddy’s words make it sound as though 2016 was an isolated event, but as Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, points out, the video is one of many cases currently against the musical mogul. “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr Combs.”
Some of the ongoing cases against Diddy include further allegations from Ventura, who claims Diddy subjected her to years of abuse, including rape and beatings. Another woman has alleged Diddy and two other men raped her when she was 17 in 2003. And in February, a music producer sued Combs, stating he sexually assaulted him and forced him to have sex with prostitutes.
Now, Diddy faces a new lawsuit that former model Crystal McKinney has filed. McKinney alleges that she was forced to perform oral sex on him at his recording studio.
McKinney, 22 at the time, states that she met Combs at a Men’s Fashion Week event in a Manhattan restaurant. Her case states, “Once seated, Combs made a very public display of coming on to plaintiff in a sexually suggestive manner which continued throughout the dinner… Throughout their interactions, Combs was flirtatious, bordering on leering, as he leaned across the table towards her. Combs also piled plaintiff with alcohol throughout the dinner as he repeatedly refilled her glass with wine.”
McKinney then alleges that she was invited back to Combs recording studio, where he gave her marijuana and alcohol that she now thinks might have been laced with a narcotic. Afterwards, he led her to the bathroom, where he kissed her without consent before forcing her to perform oral sex on him. McKinney states she then passed out and woke up in a taxi, realising she had been sexually assaulted.
This and the many other allegations against Diddy remain a developing story. With Combs acknowledging it was him in the video with his former partner Cassie Ventura, it may be he is preparing to settle some of the outstanding cases against him or at least attempt to repair his public image somewhat. These efforts will likely be in vain as further allegations are made against him and authorities continue pursuing child trafficking cases against him.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.