Reported by Julia Jacobs

(Summary version featured below)

The legal battle surrounding Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, has intensified as allegations of sexual abuse mount against him. Reciprocity Industries, a legal services company based in Montana, has become the central hub for collecting complaints against Combs, fielding over 26,000 contacts through a dedicated hotline and online ads. The company has deemed hundreds of these complaints worthy of review, with high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee already filing nearly 40 lawsuits. Many plaintiffs accuse Combs of rape, with some stating they were minors at the time. Combs denies all allegations and has pleaded not guilty to related criminal charges.

Mass tort litigation, a growing and controversial area of law, plays a significant role in these lawsuits. While proponents argue that mass torts provide justice for victims of powerful individuals and institutions, critics claim that such lawsuits encourage frivolous claims and overwhelm the legal system. Combs’ legal team has challenged the validity of many cases, arguing that the sheer number of lawsuits does not equate to guilt. One lawsuit was withdrawn after the plaintiff admitted to inconsistencies in her story, while another was amended due to errors in the alleged timeline. Buzbee insists that each case stands on its own merits and that a few problematic claims should not undermine the others.

The expansion of mass torts, particularly in cases of sexual abuse, has been fueled by #MeToo-era legal changes that extended the statute of limitations for victims. Reciprocity Industries, led by attorney Andrew Van Arsdale, did not enter the Combs case due to direct complaints but instead after noticing that Combs quickly settled an explosive lawsuit filed by a former girlfriend. The firm’s role in legal advertising and case aggregation has drawn scrutiny, especially regarding its methods of vetting claims. Critics have pointed to previous mass tort cases, such as those against the Boy Scouts, where questions arose about the accuracy of collected claims and the incentives used to attract plaintiffs.

Buzbee, known for his aggressive litigation tactics, has a history of handling high-profile cases, including those involving Deshaun Watson and major disaster lawsuits. His firm’s partnership with Reciprocity Industries resulted in a surge of claims against Combs, with a news conference announcing 120 clients triggering 12,000 additional hotline calls. However, Combs’ legal team has dismissed the legal campaign as a publicity stunt, arguing that mass tort advertising encourages false claims. Despite challenges, more lawsuits continue to be filed, with some plaintiffs choosing to reveal their identities, seeking validation for their experiences.

The case has taken additional twists with allegations against Jay-Z, who was initially accused alongside Combs in one lawsuit. That lawsuit was later withdrawn after discrepancies in the plaintiff’s story were revealed, leading Jay-Z to file a countersuit against the accuser and her lawyers. Combs’ defense team has used this withdrawal to cast doubt on the broader allegations against him, but multiple law firms continue to pursue cases on behalf of other alleged victims. Although legal advertisements for the Combs case have stopped, the hotline remains active, and the impact of mass tort litigation on sexual abuse claims continues to evolve.

Read full report: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/arts/music/sean-combs-diddy-hotline-tony-buzbee-lawsuits.html