Sean Combs
A 2023 lawsuit, the wave of civil claims that followed, and the federal criminal case against the music mogul.
25 developments, 2023–2026, oldest first.
2023
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Cassie Ventura sues Sean Combs alleging rape and years of abuse
Singer Cassie Ventura, Combs' former girlfriend and Bad Boy artist, filed a federal suit accusing him of rape, physical abuse and sex trafficking over about a decade. Combs denied the allegations.
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Combs and Cassie settle her lawsuit one day after filing
Combs and Ventura announced a confidential settlement a day after her suit was filed; Combs continued to deny wrongdoing.
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Two more women sue Sean Combs alleging sexual abuse
Two additional women filed suits accusing Combs of sexual assault in the early 1990s, just before New York's Adult Survivors Act window closed. Combs denied the claims.
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Combs steps down as Revolt chairman amid abuse lawsuits
Combs stepped aside as chairman of Revolt Media & TV as civil suits accusing him of sexual abuse mounted.
2024
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Producer sues Combs alleging sexual harassment and assault
Producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones, who worked on Combs' 2023 album, filed suit alleging sexual harassment, assault and illegal activity. Combs' lawyers denied the claims.
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Federal agents raid Sean Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami
Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Combs' properties as part of a federal sex trafficking investigation; his lawyer called it a witch hunt.
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Combs apologizes after video shows him assaulting Cassie in 2016
After CNN aired 2016 hotel surveillance footage showing Combs attacking Ventura, he posted a video apology calling his actions inexcusable.
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Howard University revokes Combs' honorary degree and cuts ties
Howard's trustees rescinded Combs' 2014 honorary doctorate, returned his donation and ended a scholarship agreement after the hotel video.
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Sean Combs arrested and indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed an indictment charging Combs with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and Mann Act transportation; he pleaded not guilty and was denied bail.
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Attorney says 120 people plan to sue Combs alleging sexual misconduct
Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee said 120 people had come forward with allegations against Combs and that dozens of suits would follow. Combs denied the claims.
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Judge denies Sean Combs bail for a third time
Judge Arun Subramanian rejected Combs' $50 million bail package, citing concerns about witness tampering.
2025
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Suit accusing Combs and Jay-Z of assaulting a 13-year-old is dismissed
An anonymous plaintiff represented by Buzbee voluntarily dismissed her suit against Combs and Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, both of whom denied the allegations.
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Prosecutors file superseding indictment adding charges against Combs
A third superseding indictment added sex trafficking and Mann Act counts involving a second alleged victim, bringing the total to five counts.
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Opening statements begin in Sean Combs' federal trial
Prosecutors and defense lawyers gave opening statements in Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial in Manhattan federal court.
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Cassie Ventura testifies against Combs
Ventura spent several days on the stand describing abuse and coercion during her relationship with Combs.
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Combs acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking, convicted on prostitution-related counts
Jurors found Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act.
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Judge denies Combs bail pending sentencing despite partial acquittal
Judge Subramanian ordered Combs to stay jailed until sentencing, citing evidence of violence presented at trial.
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Sean Combs sentenced to 50 months in prison
Judge Subramanian sentenced Combs to 50 months in prison and a $500,000 fine on the Mann Act convictions.
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Combs transferred to Fort Dix federal prison
Combs was moved to the low-security FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey to serve his sentence.
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Combs seeks expedited appeal of conviction and sentence
Combs' lawyers asked the 2nd Circuit to fast-track his appeal, arguing his sentence improperly relied on acquitted conduct.
2026
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Trump says he will not pardon Sean Combs
President Trump said he was not planning to pardon Combs after reports that Combs had sought clemency.
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Appeals court sets April hearing in Combs appeal
The 2nd Circuit scheduled oral argument for April 2026 in Combs' expedited appeal.
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Appeals judges question severity of Combs' four-year sentence
At oral argument, members of a 2nd Circuit panel questioned whether Combs' sentence for prostitution-related convictions was excessive; prosecutors defended it.
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Judge dismisses Dawn Richard's lawsuit against Combs as time-barred
A federal judge dismissed former Bad Boy artist Dawn Richard's 2024 abuse suit against Combs because the claims were filed after New York's limitations periods expired.
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Combs' projected prison release date moves again
Bureau of Prisons records listed a new projected release date of Feb. 5, 2028, for Combs, who is serving his sentence at Fort Dix.