As jury selection wraps up this week in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial, legal experts say a new storm is brewing: the hip-hop mogul could soon face a flood of civil lawsuits, with hundreds of new claims reportedly in the pipeline.
Combs, once a titan of the music industry and a self-made billionaire, has pleaded not guilty to sweeping criminal charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
But win or lose in criminal court, the legal fight won’t end there.
The 54-year-old is already the subject of over 60 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct. Now, attorney Andrew Van Arsdale—who represents 37 current plaintiffs—tells CNN that he is preparing to file hundreds more civil claims against Combs after the criminal proceedings conclude.
Hundreds More Alleged Victims Could Come Forward
Van Arsdale, a veteran litigator known for his work against institutions like the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church, said many of his clients are afraid to go public until the criminal case is resolved.
“From my clients’ perspective, the reason they were so hesitant to come forward for so long was because of the power this individual wielded,” Van Arsdale said. “There’s real fear that if he walks free, there could be retaliation.”
Van Arsdale’s firm operates a national legal intake call center through his company, Reciprocity Industries, based in Billings, Montana. Since the first lawsuits against Combs surfaced, the hotline has seen a massive spike in activity.
According to Van Arsdale, his team has fielded nearly 27,000 calls related to Combs. After vetting out false leads and unrelated cases, he estimates around 15,000 contained some form of allegation. From those, he says at least 400 potential new civil cases are viable.
Critics and Supporters Clash Over Tactics
Combs’ legal team has dismissed Van Arsdale and others as “ambulance chasers,” accusing them of exploiting public interest. But Van Arsdale insists his hotline and large-scale approach are about access to justice.
“Yes, we need a big system to handle the influx,” he said. “But that’s what it takes to make sure legitimate claims reach the courtroom. Victims shouldn’t be silenced by shame or fear anymore.”
Van Arsdale has partnered with high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee, and their firm has become a focal point in the effort to hold Combs accountable through civil litigation.
Two lawsuits have already been withdrawn—one due to the plaintiff’s refusal to identify herself, and another after claims against both Combs and Jay-Z were discredited. Combs’ attorneys have seized on these missteps to challenge the credibility of accusers, especially pointing to inconsistencies in certain accounts.
Van Arsdale blamed one high-profile discrepancy—a male accuser whose CNN interview contradicted his legal filing—on a clerical error. The lawsuit was later amended.
Civil and Criminal Cases Collide
Though the civil and criminal proceedings are separate, Van Arsdale says some of his clients have been cooperating with federal investigators and may be called to testify in the criminal trial.
Regardless of how the criminal case unfolds, he says the civil process is a necessary step toward closure.
“If he’s convicted, of course my clients will be relieved,” Van Arsdale said. “But real healing comes with accountability—for many, that means their day in civil court.”
CNN has reached out to Combs’ legal team for comment on Van Arsdale’s claims. In a previous statement, they strongly denied all allegations, saying, “Sean Combs has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor. No number of lawsuits or sensational headlines will change that.”
As the criminal trial begins, what follows could reshape the legacy of one of hip-hop’s most influential figures—and open the door to one of the most extensive civil litigations in entertainment history.
Story by Obaapa Janee/ahotoronline.com
Source: CNN
