Photo: Getty Images
Sean "Diddy" Combs has been hit with another lawsuit — this time from his longtime employee.
According to a report TMZ published on Wednesday, September 24, the multifaceted artist has been sued by Deonte Nash, a former stylist who worked with Combs for nearly a decade. In his legal complaint, Nash alleged that he endured "sexual and physical assault, sexual and verbal harassment, trafficking, degradation, humiliation, threats to his life and well-being, stalking, control, and psychological manipulation" during his employment. He also claimed that the horror continued even after he stopped working for Combs.
In his lawsuit, Nash listed several instances in which Combs allegedly made “unwanted, inappropriate, sexually charged” comments to him while they worked together. He alleged the Bad Boy Records founder constantly groped him sexually without consent. Nash also claimed Combs exposed himself to him while in front of other employees during a party in 2013 or 2014. Nash's lawyers asserted that Combs repeatedly referred to his stylist's sexuality to friends and coworkers, which made him feel distressed.
Nash also alleged that the mogul would use his fame to control him. In addition, Combs allegedly threatened to harm him if he didn't stick around, and continued to make Nash feel unsafe even after his employment ended. He still feared Combs even while he testified against him during the artist's sex trafficking trial over the summer. During his testimony, Nash claimed he witnessed Combs beat his ex-girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura.
Nash was also asked if he planned any legal action against Combs. He initially declined, but now he's serious about holding Combs accountable. He's asking for punitive damages and a jury trial. As of this report, Combs' attorneys have not commented on the lawsuit.