A Timeline of Diddy’s Most Controversial Moments: Legal Woes, Accusations and More

1998

In 1998, music executive Steven Stoute managed Nas, and at the time, Nas and Combs had recorded the song “Hate Me Now” together. When Stoute sent the video to MTV to air, he accidentally sent a version of the video that depicted Combs as Jesus Christ being crucified on the cross. Combs was reportedly enraged at the mistake and Stoute claimed that the “Bad Boy For Life” rapper, along with two other men, came into his office and beat Stoute with a champagne bottle. Combs was charged with second-degree assault and criminal mischief. While Stoute said that he suffered from a broken arm and jaw, Combs claimed no bones were broken.

“Puff Daddy is the darling of the celebrity set,” one insider exclusively told In Touch at the time. “He drives a Bentley, he throws parties at his mansions on Long Island or in Malibu for famous pals like Sting or Donald Trump and he has romanced such sexy women as Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey. But now it looks like he’s in hot water.”

However, in June 1999, Combs issued a statement and admitted the alleged incident did take place.

“I basically went to his office, and what happened in his office, I really can’t speak about but I can say this: the way I handled myself in his office was completely wrong and I’ve since apologized to Steve about that and I felt like, you know, I just disappointed myself,” Combs said in a statement to MTV.

He was sentenced to one day of anger management classes.

1999

In 1999, police found weapons in Combs’ car after he and Jamal “Shyne” Barrow were partying at Club New York in New York City when a shooting occurred. It was reported that Combs knocked a drink out of Matthew “Scar” Allen’s hands.

Combs was dating Lopez at the time and she was with him during the incident.

“It was a horrifying scene Jennifer will never forget,” a source revealed to In Touch at the time. “She says it haunts her day and night.”

All three men reportedly pulled guns and three people were shot. Prosecutors claimed that it was only Barrow who fired his gun, but a witness said that she saw both Combs and Barrow fire. Combs had four weapons charges against him, and one for bribing his driver to claim the guns belonged to him. Barrow was sentenced with 10 years in prison, but Combs was acquitted of all charges.

2014

In 2014, Combs allegedly punched Drake when the two got into a scuffle regarding the rights to the beat that Drake eventually used for his song “0 to 100.” The incident happened at DJ Khaled’s birthday party at LIV Miami, and the Miami New Times reported Combs told Drake, “You will not disrespect me.”

Combs later denied that he ever punched the “God’s Plan” singer during an appearance on the radio show, The Breakfast Club.

2015

Combs was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon in 2015 when he allegedly used a kettlebell during an altercation with UCLA Bruins assistant coach Sal Alosi. Combs’ son was playing football for UCLA at the time.

Combs avoided felony assault and battery charges for the incident.

“We are thankful that the district attorney rejected felony charges in this matter,” Mark Geragos, Combs’ lawyer at the time, said, per Variety. “This case never should have been part of the criminal justice system to begin with.”

2019

In 2019, Combs’ ex Gina Huynh claimed that Combs had been abusive throughout their relationship during an appearance on Unwine With Tasha K. Huynh went into detail about a particular incident in Miami when Combs caught her texting with another man. She said the “Coming Home” rapper “pushed her” and “stomped on [her] stomach.”

“He was mentally, emotionally and physically abusing me. He would always compare me to Cassie and tell me that I’m the bad one, she’s a good one,” Huynh told Tasha during the interview.

Combs never publicly acknowledged Huynh’s claims.

2023: Cassie Ventura Comes Forward

On November 16, Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a lawsuit against the Bad Boys mogul and alleged that he had sexually assaulted and sex trafficked her throughout their decade-long relationship. Ventura’s lawsuit included graphic details regarding a 2018 incident where she claimed that Combs raped her. She also alleged that Combs physically abused her and forced her to have sex with male escorts as he watched. While Combs denied all of the allegations, he settled the lawsuit within 24 hours.

2023: Joi Dickerson-Neal Comes Forward

Following Cassie’s claims, Joi Dickerson-Neal ​also came forward on November 23, 2023. ​Dickerson-Neal claimed that Combs drugged her and then proceeded to sexually assault her in 1991. It was alleged that Combs also filmed the assault and shared the video. Dickerson-Neal was only 19 at the time.

2023: Liz Gardner Comes Forward

After Dickerson-Neal, a woman named Liza Gardner filed a lawsuit against Combs, in November 2023. Gardner claimed that Combs sexually assaulted her and a friend in 1990.

2023: Unnamed Accuser Comes Forward

On December 6, 2023, an unnamed woman alleged that Combs, former Bad Boy president Harve Pierre and an unnamed man took turns gang raping her when she was only 17 years old. The woman said that the men gave her “copious amounts of drugs and alcohol” and assaulted her while she drifted in and out of consciousness. ​She also claimed that she pleaded with the men to stop to no avail.

Pierre denied the allegations.

“This is a tale of fiction,” Pierre said in a statement in December 2023. “I have never participated in, witnessed, nor heard of anything like this, ever. These disgusting allegations are false and a desperate attempt for financial gain. I will vigorously protect my reputation and defend my name. Those who know me recognize that these claims are not true.”

2023: Combs Denies All Allegations

Combs released a statement addressing the claims the same day the unnamed victim’s allegations were made.

“Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

2024: Lil Rod Lawsuit

​​In February 2024, music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed a lawsuit against Combs for $30 million and claimed that the “I’ll Be Missing You” ​musician sexually assaulted him. The lawsuit named several different people who worked in the music industry, along with Combs’ son Justin Dior Combs.

Justin Combs’ lawyers stated that the claims against him were “categorically false,” while Combs’ representatives released a separate statement.

“Mr. Jones is nothing more than a con man, shamelessly looking for an easy and wholly undeserved payday. We have indisputable, incontrovertible proof that his claims are complete fabrications. ​Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn has refused to return our calls. We look forward to addressing these ridiculous claims in court, and intend to take all appropriate action against all who are attempting to peddle them.”

2024: Federal Raid on Combs’ Homes

On March 25, 2024, federal agents raided two of Combs’ homes. The Homeland Security Agents searched the houses as part of an inquiry from the federal government regarding the sex trafficking allegations against Combs. The following day, TMZ reported that Combs sold off all of his shares in Revolt TV, a company he founded.

On March 26, 2024, Combs’ attorney Aaron Dyer released a statement on his behalf.

“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way. This unprecedented ambush –​ paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence – leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”