Sean 'Diddy' Combs 'victims' hotline still taking calls
Lawyer Tony Buzbee, 56, set up a call centre as he launched a series of civil lawsuits against the rapper, who is in jail awaiting sentencing on two of the five federal charges on which he stood trial in New York over the past two months.
He told RadarOnline.com about how the call centre set up to log the accounts from alleged abuse victims of the Bad Boy Records founder: "There may be real victims who are hesitant to come forward. "I'm always willing to hear from people, and talk to people, and hear their story. Maybe I can help them and maybe I cannot."
The hotline went live shortly after Buzbee filed one of the first sexual abuse lawsuits against Combs, 55.
Within 24 hours of its creation, the 1-800-200-7474 number reportedly received more than 12,000 calls from alleged victims, witnesses, and those with knowledge of events related to the case, according to Mr Buzbee.
Despite Combs' recent acquittal on sex trafficking charges, Mr Buzbee said operators are still "standing by" and he continues to field calls from those who "saw something" or claim to be witnesses.
The veteran Texas lawyer stated the volume of information gathered has been significant, saying his team has received testimony and evidence in the form of videos, photos, text messages, police reports, and hospital records.
He also vowed in a chat with Radar: "We will still march on because the burden of proof in a civil case is much lower than the burden of proof in a criminal case."
Buzbee has continued to pursue legal action against Combs, filing three new civil lawsuits in jurisdictions including Nevada and California.
At a press conference when the hotline was first announced, he claimed several reports involved underage individuals at the time of the alleged incidents.
He added: "Most of these events and incidents occurred at parties and afterparties, or album release parties, New Year's Eve parties, Fourth of July parties, something they called a 'puppy party' and all-white parties."
Combs, who was found not guilty on three out of five criminal charges, was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
While he faces prison time, it is believed he will not be jailed for long if at all, and he avoided the life sentence he was originally facing.
Buzbee said the outcome of the criminal trial has not affected his determination to pursue justice through the civil courts.
He said: "What we have learned throughout this criminal trial is that this conduct that many of the people that I represent have talked about was in fact occurring, and it was occurring on a frequent basis.
"And there was a constant theme throughout this criminal trial that P Diddy, as the head of this alleged RICO organisation, would not take no for an answer."
Combs has denied all charges against him and his sentencing is due in October.
The Sean "Diddy" Combs 'victims' hotline is still taking calls.
Lawyer Tony Buzbee, 56, set up a call centre as he launched a series of civil lawsuits against the rapper, who is in jail awaiting sentencing on two of the five federal charges on which he stood trial in New York over the past two months.
He told RadarOnline.com about how the call centre set up to log the accounts from alleged abuse victims of the Bad Boy Records founder: "There may be real victims who are hesitant to come forward. "I'm always willing to hear from people, and talk to people, and hear their story. Maybe I can help them and maybe I cannot."
The hotline went live shortly after Buzbee filed one of the first sexual abuse lawsuits against Combs, 55.
Within 24 hours of its creation, the 1-800-200-7474 number reportedly received more than 12,000 calls from alleged victims, witnesses, and those with knowledge of events related to the case, according to Mr Buzbee.
Despite Combs' recent acquittal on sex trafficking charges, Mr Buzbee said operators are still "standing by" and he continues to field calls from those who "saw something" or claim to be witnesses.
The veteran Texas lawyer stated the volume of information gathered has been significant, saying his team has received testimony and evidence in the form of videos, photos, text messages, police reports, and hospital records.
He also vowed in a chat with Radar: "We will still march on because the burden of proof in a civil case is much lower than the burden of proof in a criminal case."
Buzbee has continued to pursue legal action against Combs, filing three new civil lawsuits in jurisdictions including Nevada and California.
At a press conference when the hotline was first announced, he claimed several reports involved underage individuals at the time of the alleged incidents.
He added: "Most of these events and incidents occurred at parties and afterparties, or album release parties, New Year's Eve parties, Fourth of July parties, something they called a 'puppy party' and all-white parties."
Combs, who was found not guilty on three out of five criminal charges, was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
While he faces prison time, it is believed he will not be jailed for long if at all, and he avoided the life sentence he was originally facing.
Buzbee said the outcome of the criminal trial has not affected his determination to pursue justice through the civil courts.
He said: "What we have learned throughout this criminal trial is that this conduct that many of the people that I represent have talked about was in fact occurring, and it was occurring on a frequent basis.
"And there was a constant theme throughout this criminal trial that P Diddy, as the head of this alleged RICO organisation, would not take no for an answer."
Combs has denied all charges against him and his sentencing is due in October.
The Sean "Diddy" Combs 'victims' hotline is still taking calls.
Lawyer Tony Buzbee, 56, set up a call centre as he launched a series of civil lawsuits against the rapper, who is in jail awaiting sentencing on two of the five federal charges on which he stood trial in New York over the past two months.
He told RadarOnline.com about how the call centre set up to log the accounts from alleged abuse victims of the Bad Boy Records founder: "There may be real victims who are hesitant to come forward. "I'm always willing to hear from people, and talk to people, and hear their story. Maybe I can help them and maybe I cannot."
The hotline went live shortly after Buzbee filed one of the first sexual abuse lawsuits against Combs, 55.
Within 24 hours of its creation, the 1-800-200-7474 number reportedly received more than 12,000 calls from alleged victims, witnesses, and those with knowledge of events related to the case, according to Mr Buzbee.
Despite Combs' recent acquittal on sex trafficking charges, Mr Buzbee said operators are still "standing by" and he continues to field calls from those who "saw something" or claim to be witnesses.
The veteran Texas lawyer stated the volume of information gathered has been significant, saying his team has received testimony and evidence in the form of videos, photos, text messages, police reports, and hospital records.
He also vowed in a chat with Radar: "We will still march on because the burden of proof in a civil case is much lower than the burden of proof in a criminal case."
Buzbee has continued to pursue legal action against Combs, filing three new civil lawsuits in jurisdictions including Nevada and California.
At a press conference when the hotline was first announced, he claimed several reports involved underage individuals at the time of the alleged incidents.
He added: "Most of these events and incidents occurred at parties and afterparties, or album release parties, New Year's Eve parties, Fourth of July parties, something they called a 'puppy party' and all-white parties."
Combs, who was found not guilty on three out of five criminal charges, was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
While he faces prison time, it is believed he will not be jailed for long if at all, and he avoided the life sentence he was originally facing.
Buzbee said the outcome of the criminal trial has not affected his determination to pursue justice through the civil courts.
He said: "What we have learned throughout this criminal trial is that this conduct that many of the people that I represent have talked about was in fact occurring, and it was occurring on a frequent basis.
"And there was a constant theme throughout this criminal trial that P Diddy, as the head of this alleged RICO organisation, would not take no for an answer."
Combs has denied all charges against him and his sentencing is due in October.
The Sean "Diddy" Combs 'victims' hotline is still taking calls.
Lawyer Tony Buzbee, 56, set up a call centre as he launched a series of civil lawsuits against the rapper, who is in jail awaiting sentencing on two of the five federal charges on which he stood trial in New York over the past two months.
He told RadarOnline.com about how the call centre set up to log the accounts from alleged abuse victims of the Bad Boy Records founder: "There may be real victims who are hesitant to come forward. "I'm always willing to hear from people, and talk to people, and hear their story. Maybe I can help them and maybe I cannot."
The hotline went live shortly after Buzbee filed one of the first sexual abuse lawsuits against Combs, 55.
Within 24 hours of its creation, the 1-800-200-7474 number reportedly received more than 12,000 calls from alleged victims, witnesses, and those with knowledge of events related to the case, according to Mr Buzbee.
Despite Combs' recent acquittal on sex trafficking charges, Mr Buzbee said operators are still "standing by" and he continues to field calls from those who "saw something" or claim to be witnesses.
The veteran Texas lawyer stated the volume of information gathered has been significant, saying his team has received testimony and evidence in the form of videos, photos, text messages, police reports, and hospital records.
He also vowed in a chat with Radar: "We will still march on because the burden of proof in a civil case is much lower than the burden of proof in a criminal case."
Buzbee has continued to pursue legal action against Combs, filing three new civil lawsuits in jurisdictions including Nevada and California.
At a press conference when the hotline was first announced, he claimed several reports involved underage individuals at the time of the alleged incidents.
He added: "Most of these events and incidents occurred at parties and afterparties, or album release parties, New Year's Eve parties, Fourth of July parties, something they called a 'puppy party' and all-white parties."
Combs, who was found not guilty on three out of five criminal charges, was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
While he faces prison time, it is believed he will not be jailed for long if at all, and he avoided the life sentence he was originally facing.
Buzbee said the outcome of the criminal trial has not affected his determination to pursue justice through the civil courts.
He said: "What we have learned throughout this criminal trial is that this conduct that many of the people that I represent have talked about was in fact occurring, and it was occurring on a frequent basis.
"And there was a constant theme throughout this criminal trial that P Diddy, as the head of this alleged RICO organisation, would not take no for an answer."
Combs has denied all charges against him and his sentencing is due in October.
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Throw out verdicts or grant me new trial: 'Diddy' Combs
Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions. Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions. Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions. Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Throw out verdicts or grant me new trial: 'Diddy' Combs
Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions.
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Courier-Mail
‘Seriously': Donald Trump considering Sean ‘Diddy' Combs pardon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. President Trump may be giving Sean 'Diddy' Combs a 'Get out of jail free' card. An administration source told Deadline that a pardon for the 'Act Bad' rapper is being 'seriously considered' after Combs was found guilty of two counts of prostitution. 'The White House will not confirm or deny pardons that may or may not happen,' Page Six reports, citing a source. Diddy has been found guilty of two counts of prostitution. Picture: AFP In May, Trump, 79, first shared that he was potentially willing to pardon Combs amid the rapper's sex-trafficking trial. 'I would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me,' the politician said in the Oval Office at the time. In May, Trump first shared that he was potentially willing to pardon Combs. Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein 'It wouldn't have any impact on me,' he added. Trump then shared details about his personal relationship with the disgraced MC. 'He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics … that relationship busted up, from what I read,' he said. 'I don't know — he didn't tell me that, but I'd read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden,' the president added. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY On July 2, Combs, 55, was acquitted of the more serious charges in his sex-trafficking trial. However, the Revolt co-founder was found guilty of two counts of prostitution — each carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison. During the trial, jurors heard from a range of people, including Combs' ex Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, who claimed she was raped and abused by the hip-hop mogul. In one part of her gruelling testimony, the singer, 38, claimed Combs forced a male escort to urinate in her mouth during a 'Freak-Off' party. Cassie claimed Combs forced a male escort to urinate in her mouth during a 'Freak-Off' party. Photo:The dad of seven is behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY, as he awaits his sentencing. While incarcerated, Combs reportedly enrolled in the STOP Program, a course focused on preventing sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and is undergoing therapy. The 'I'll Be Missing You' rapper is still facing dozens of lawsuits from men and women, accusing him of a range of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity. He has denied all wrongdoing. This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission Originally published as 'Seriously': Donald Trump considering Sean 'Diddy' Combs pardon
