Sean “Diddy” Combs is encountering serious legal troubles as six new individuals have come forward with lawsuits against the music executive, alleging rape and other forms of sexual misconduct.

This wave of legal challenges arises while Combs, aged 54, is currently in federal custody in Brooklyn, New York, after entering a plea of not guilty last month to various charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and facilitating prostitution.

Experts suggest that these civil lawsuits will exacerbate the already complicated situation regarding Combs’ criminal case. On Monday, two women and four men, identified as Jane Does and John Does, filed lawsuits against Combs in New York, becoming the first among 120 alleged victims whose claims were announced by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee earlier this month.

“These allegations came right after several other lawsuits were filed and are pending, many of which have already been disproven but not before severely damaging Mr. Combs’ reputation,” his legal team stated in a response to YSL News on Tuesday. “This chaotic media frenzy threatens to deprive Mr. Combs of a fair trial, if it hasn’t already done so.”

The lawsuits allege incidents ranging from 1995 to 2021, including claims of sexual assault against a minor and several instances of rape. Many of these alleged assaults reportedly took place at notorious parties that Combs became famous for during his long career in the music business.

Before becoming a globally recognized music icon, Combs was well-known for hosting extravagant parties that established him as a key figure in Hollywood. However, both civil plaintiffs and federal investigators are now portraying these gatherings as a façade for more sinister activities to “satisfy his sexual desires.”

Since Combs’ arrest, a total of eight civil suits have been filed against him.

His criminal trial is set to commence in May 2025, but it remains uncertain when the recent surge of civil cases will be processed in court.

Why Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces ‘apocalyptic’ PR, branding challenges from civil lawsuits, criminal charges

Public relations expert Eric Schiffer tells YSL News that Combs is dealing with “apocalyptic” challenges in brand management due to his ongoing legal issues.

Schiffer explains that criminal charges carry greater public scrutiny compared to civil suits, as “the public knows that anyone can file a civil lawsuit” and “they also recognize that these suits may be resolved through financial settlements.”

He adds: “With criminal accusations, the perception of guilt is significantly heightened.”

“Even though civil suits can tarnish a celebrity’s reputation, a criminal case can completely ruin a celebrity’s career because managing that situation is far more complex,” Schiffer remarks.

He warns that a criminal conviction could lead brands to distance themselves from Combs, resulting in lost business and creative opportunities, which is less probable in the case of civil allegations.

Will Diddy trial be affected by civil suits?

The new six civil cases are likely to influence Diddy’s criminal proceedings in various ways, according to Tre Lovell, a civil rights and entertainment attorney from The Lovell Firm.

“The prosecutors will be examining the claims presented in the civil lawsuits to potentially reinforce the existing criminal charges and may consider filing additional allegations,” Lovell explains.

Lovell mentions that the civil lawsuits may bring forth witnesses or evidence that prosecutors were previously unaware of or had not investigated, but are likely to do so now.

Federal prosecutors also charge that Diddy utilized his various business ventures, including Bad Boy Records and Combs Enterprises, as part of a large-scale criminal conspiracy, thus all profits from those companies should be forfeited.

According to Lovell, the civil cases could reinforce “the forfeiture claim in the indictment by establishing a further link between Diddy’s business interests and the alleged criminal behavior.” He adds, “In addition to Diddy’s individual prosecution, the fight over forfeiture will be significant, as Diddy and others affiliated with his companies will strive to distance the businesses from his alleged illegal activities.”

Furthermore, these civil lawsuits “could also encourage state-level prosecutions alongside the ongoing federal case,” Lovell adds. Overall, “Diddy’s defense team has a tough challenge ahead.”

Camron Dowlatshahi, an entertainment lawyer based in Los Angeles, shares that the new lawsuits present “an advantage for prosecutors.”

“Each of these civil cases offers more resources for prosecutors in their criminal case,” Dowlatshahi states. “They’re essentially being handed additional witnesses and information that can help strengthen their case.”

Legal expert indicates evidence from Diddy’s civil cases might be used in criminal court

Alison Siegler, a clinical law professor and director of the Federal Criminal Justice Clinic at the University of Chicago, observes that a criminal case could spawn more civil suits, but not the other way around.

However, she notes that there is a significant way in which “testimony taken under oath in the civil case could potentially be used as evidence in the criminal case, contingent on meeting the rules of evidence.” For example, “Combs’ statements in a civil case could be brought against him in court for the criminal case” and the information “could also be utilized for cross-examination purposes.”

Why are so many individuals pursuing civil actions against Diddy?

Siegler explains that in Combs’s civil cases, “we are witnessing a noticeable increase in filings, as individuals think ‘if the government believes they can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt perhaps we have a chance too.'”

“There is a genuine motivation for people to step forward and file lawsuits, as well as an incentive for attorneys to take these cases on,” Siegler remarks.