Sean “Diddy” Combs, the renowned music mogul and entrepreneur, is facing fresh legal challenges after a former employee, Phillip Pines, filed a lawsuit accusing him of forcing him into participation in inappropriate activities, including sexual encounters with women and the facilitation of drug-fueled parties. The lawsuit, filed today in Los Angeles, outlines a disturbing series of events that Pines claims he endured during his employment with Combs from December 2019 to December 2021. Among the numerous allegations, Pines accuses Combs of exposing and later infecting a guest with COVID-19 during a lavish birthday celebration, as well as subjecting him to long, grueling work hours and humiliating requests related to Combs’ personal lifestyle.
The lawsuit also sheds light on what Pines describes as a toxic and coercive work environment, in which he was not only misclassified as an exempt employee but also pressured into performing unethical and sometimes illegal tasks. According to Pines, he was assigned the role of a senior executive assistant, yet his duties ranged from the mundane to the morally questionable. Among these tasks, Pines claims he was routinely ordered to prepare and clean up after what were referred to as “Wild King Nights”events where Combs allegedly indulged in excessive drinking, drug use, and sexual activities with various guests.One of the most disturbing elements of the lawsuit is Pines’ claim that he was instructed to set up these extravagant parties, which involved the preparation of rooms with
“red lights, ice buckets, alcohol, marijuana joints, honey packs for male libido, baby oil, Astro Glide, towels, illegal drugs, and sex machines.”
The events were either spontaneous or scheduled without prior notice, and often left behind significant messes. After each gathering, Pines asserts he was responsible for cleaning up the rooms, which included removing bodily fluids like blood and urine from furniture, laundering soiled sheets, and concealing any signs of drug use or illicit activities. In addition to these responsibilities, Pines alleges he was forced to bribe hotel cleaning staff to prevent them from reporting what had occurred.
Pines also claims that Combs tested his loyalty on multiple occasions, once asking him to return to his home late at night simply to fetch a remote control. In another troubling incident, Pines describes being in a room with Combs and two female guests when the mogul allegedly encouraged him to engage in sexual activity with one of the women. Despite his hesitations, Pines claims he ultimately consented, though the encounter was brief and ended when he was reportedly upset by the situation.
In addition to these claims, Pines also details a violent incident in which Combs allegedly kicked a guest in Miami. According to the lawsuit, when Combs’ former chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, inquired about the incident, she allegedly told Pines to remain silent, warning him of consequences if he spoke out.
Perhaps one of the most shocking allegations involves a birthday party Combs hosted for himself in December 2021. Despite reportedly testing positive for COVID-19, Combs held the event, during which a celebrity guest later contracted the virus. Pines claims he was instructed to keep quiet about the incident when the guest called to inform them of their infection, a decision that raises concerns about the safety and well-being of all involved.
Combs’ legal team responded to the allegations, asserting in a statement “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone man or woman, adult or minor.” They further emphasized the importance of a fair judicial process, expressing confidence that Combs would prevail in court.
This lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal troubles for Combs, who is already facing charges related to racketeering and sex trafficking. The mogul is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, following his arrest in September 2024. Additionally, two separate women recently filed lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct, further compounding the severity of the legal battles surrounding his personal and professional life.
As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how these latest allegations will impact Combs’ reputation and career. The claims made by Pines add to an already volatile situation, and the upcoming proceedings will likely shed more light on the controversial behavior that has come to define the mogul’s personal life over the past several years.
