Lawsuit Claims a Pro Athlete Stopped Diddy From Assaulting a Man

A professional athlete allegedly prevented Sean “Diddy” Combs from sexually assaulting a man at a party, a new lawsuit filed against the rapper claims.

A man referred to as John Doe alleged that the incident took place during a 2022 party for Diddy’s Ciroc vodka brand in one of five new civil lawsuits filed in the Southern District of New York on Sunday, October 20. According to court docs obtained by Us Weekly, Doe runs a luxury cars and jewelry rental business in Los Angeles of which Diddy was a patron.

In the docs, Doe alleges that Diddy encouraged him to come to his party as other “high-profile guests in the music and entertainment business” would be in attendance. It was during the event that Doe claims the musician exposed himself upon inviting him into his private office.

“Combs continued to move closer and then grabbed Plaintiff’s genitals through his pants, squeezing them in a rough and sexual manner,” the lawsuit alleges. “Plaintiff, shocked and disoriented, frozen momentarily and did not know how to respond to the weirdly inappropriate sexual advance made by Combs.”

The incident was subsequently stopped by a sports star, referred to in the docs as “Professional Athlete A,” entered the room and interfered, ending the alleged assault. Doe left the room and the party shortly after.

The legal docs feature a photo, taken by Doe, of Diddy sitting with some of the party’s star-studded guests, though their faces are blurred out.

“As a result of this incident, Plaintiff has suffered significant emotional distress and trauma,” the docs state. “He continues to deal with the psychological and emotional consequences of the events that happened in Combs’s private office.”

Diddy’s attorney previously denied sexual assault allegations against the singer in an October 1 statement to Us Weekly, saying: “Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defenses, and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone — adult or minor, man or woman.”

In an October 15 statement, Diddy’s attorney added: “These swirling allegations have created a hysterical media circus that, if left unchecked, will irreparably deprive Mr. Combs of a fair trial.”

Diddy’s recent legal troubles began in November 2023 when his ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of sexual assault, abuse and rape. Diddy denied her claims at the time. While Cassie’s case was settled one day after it was filed, multiple individuals have since come forward with sexual assault lawsuits of their own.

Diddy was arrested on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in New York City on September 16. His 14-page indictment alleged that Diddy orchestrated parties known as “Freaks Offs,” during which he would record “elaborate and produced sex performances” and force victims “to engage in extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers.”

The indictment also alleged that Homeland Security seized various “Freak Off” supplies during their March raids on Diddy’s Miami and L.A. homes, including narcotics, baby oil and lube, as well as multiple firearms.

Diddy pleaded not guilty to the charges but was denied bail and ordered to remain in prison until his May 2025 trial date.

“He’s innocent. I believe he’s innocent. I believe he’s innocent of the charges,” Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said during a September 17 appearance on CNN’s The Source With Kaitlan Collins. “He is going to go to trial. And I believe he’s going to win.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).