Macy’s faces allegations of covering up a 2008 sexual assault involving Sean “Diddy” Combs at its Herald Square store.
Macy’s is facing serious accusations of covering up a sexual assault incident involving rapper and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs at its flagship Herald Square store in Manhattan. According to a lawsuit filed in Ohio by a plaintiff referred to as “John Doe,” the assault allegedly took place in 2008 while the plaintiff was working in Macy’s stockroom.
The lawsuit claims that Combs, who has recently faced over 120 new sexual assault allegations, attacked the plaintiff while the man was working as an advisor for Ecko Unltd., a rival clothing brand to Combs’ Sean John line. According to court documents, the plaintiff was physically assaulted by Combs’ bodyguards before the sexual assault took place. The bodyguards allegedly struck him and threatened to kill him, forcing him to comply with Combs’ demands.
According to the lawsuit, “Approximately three weeks later, Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy’s, pressured Ecko Unltd. executives to fire plaintiff because Macy’s had just signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Sean John Clothing.”
The most disturbing part of the allegation involves Combs forcing the man to perform oral sex while calling him “Ecko,” a reference to the clothing brand the victim was working for at the time. According to the lawsuit, Combs continued his day as if nothing had happened. Immediately following the attack, he reportedly began handing out merchandise to fans gathered at the store, maintaining his public persona despite the horrific incident that had just occurred.
The plaintiff says he reported the assault to Macy’s security, expecting swift action. However, the lawsuit claims that Macy’s did nothing in response. In fact, the victim was later barred from returning to the store, and no follow-up was conducted regarding his report. The plaintiff now alleges that Macy’s deliberately destroyed or purged all records of the assault from its system to protect a multi-million dollar business relationship with Sean John Clothing, Combs’ fashion brand.
According to the lawsuit, just three weeks after the assault, Terry Lundgren, Macy’s CEO at the time, pressured executives at Ecko Unltd. to fire the plaintiff. This was allegedly done to safeguard the lucrative deal between Macy’s and Sean John. As a result, the plaintiff claims he was fired and lost his company-paid apartment, further adding to the damages caused by the incident.
The plaintiff has expressed that he still fears for his life due to the threats made during the assault. He also believes that Macy’s deliberately ignored his claims to protect its business interests with Combs, who was a high-profile partner at the time. Despite multiple attempts to report the incident, the plaintiff feels that his case was brushed under the rug and that Macy’s chose to protect Combs rather than an employee who had been victimized.
These accusations come at a time when Diddy is already facing multiple lawsuits and criminal charges. In September 2024, he was arrested after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, but remains in federal custody after being denied bail twice. His trial is set for May 2025.
As for Macy’s, the department store giant has not yet issued a statement regarding the lawsuit or the allegations made by the plaintiff. The silence from Macy’s has drawn attention to the potential corporate cover-up that might have occurred to protect both the company’s interests and its high-profile relationship with Sean John Clothing.
The lawsuit has reignited concerns over the intersection of business, power, and accountability. If the allegations are proven true, it could lead to significant consequences for both Macy’s and Diddy, particularly as the #MeToo movement continues to call attention to the abuse of power within various industries.
Diddy’s legal troubles have multiplied in recent months. With over 120 new sexual assault claims against him, his reputation as a successful music mogul and entrepreneur is now overshadowed by these disturbing allegations. The upcoming trial in 2025, which involves federal charges, is expected to be a high-profile case that could have long-lasting impacts on his career.
The plaintiff’s accusations against Macy’s suggest that corporate partnerships may have taken precedence over justice. Many are now questioning whether the retailer will face consequences for its alleged involvement in covering up the incident. Legal experts predict that this case could set a precedent for how large corporations handle allegations involving their high-profile partners.
