Sean “Diddy” Combs, the renowned entertainment mogul with a net worth of $1 billion, recently settled a lawsuit accusing him of rape and abuse.
This settlement adds to the long list of accusations and legal troubles that have followed Combs throughout his four-decade career as a rapper, producer, and mogul.
According to court documents reviewed by NBC News, Combs has faced over four dozen legal actions or settlements, many of which were related to his music and business endeavors.
Additionally, a handful of lawsuits have accused Combs, who is now 54 years old, of violence.
The most recent lawsuit was filed by Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie, an R&B singer, who alleged that he raped, s** trafficked, and physically abused her during their relationship.
The terms of the settlement, reached last week, were not disclosed.
Given Combs’ celebrity status and high-profile dealings, the amount of litigation he has faced is not surprising, according to Moraima Ivory, a professor at Georgia State University College of Law.
Ivory explained that when someone lives out loud, as Combs does, it often attracts attention and potential lawsuits.
Despite the numerous legal actions, Combs has rarely faced criminal charges.
In 2015, he was arrested for allegedly attacking his son’s football coach at UCLA but no charges were pursued by prosecutors.
Combs’ representatives and lawyers did not comment on the volume and nature of the lawsuits when asked.
However, Ivory suggests that public figures like Combs often prefer to settle to avoid bad publicity.
Here is a history of some of Combs’ notable legal controversies:
1991: Combs helped promote a charity basketball event in New York, which led to a stampede resulting in nine deaths and injuries to dozens of others.
Combs, alongside rapper Heavy D, was found equally liable for the tragedy in a state judge’s decision.
Several wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits were settled over the years.
1995: A limousine driver accused Combs’ bodyguards of beating him backstage at a concert.
The lawsuit was won by default when Combs did not appear in court, but an appeals court later overturned the order for him to pay $450,000.
1999: Combs was arrested on felony charges for allegedly assaulting rival record executive Steve Stoute.
The charges were dropped after Combs apologized and paid Stoute $500,000.
In a separate incident, Combs was sued for assault, false imprisonment, and destruction of property by a cable TV host who accused him of involvement in the unsolved killing of rapper Biggie Smalls.
Combs was found not guilty on all counts.
1999 (continued): Combs was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon after a shooting at a New York nightclub.
While he was acquitted of weapons and bribery charges, a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by three injured individuals was settled in 2011.
2001: Combs was sued by his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Kim Porter, for additional child support.
A settlement was eventually reached in Family Court.
Porter passed away in 2019.
2005: Combs settled with Random House after failing to complete a memoir for which he received a $300,000 advance.
2007: Combs was sued by a former consultant for alleged non-payment.
The lawsuit was dismissed.
Additionally, a partygoer claimed Combs punched him in the face at a post-Oscars event.
The lawsuit was settled.
2010: Combs settled a multimillion-dollar age discrimination suit filed by a music executive who had been working for him since 1998.
2011: Combs settled a suit filed by a paparazzo who accused his bodyguards of assault.
2017: Combs settled a lawsuit filed by his personal chef, who claimed she experienced s**ual harassment and unfair working conditions.
2022: A former nanny filed a wrongful termination suit against Combs, claiming discrimination after disclosing her pregnancy.
2023: Cassie, Combs’ former girlfriend, filed a lawsuit alleging physical abuse throughout their relationship.
The case was settled amicably.
The settlement with Cassie is the latest chapter in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal journey.
Despite the numerous controversies and lawsuits he has faced, Combs continues to thrive as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
