Sean “Diddy” Combs, the embattled music mogul and founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, is facing a fresh lawsuit from Kirk Burrowes, his former business partner and co-founder of the record label. Burrowes has accused Diddy of creating a toxic work environment filled with sexual harassment, intimidation, and coercion, according to an 18-page complaint obtained by Rolling Stone.
The lawsuit details a series of alleged abuses that took place during the formative years of Bad Boy Entertainment in the mid-1990s. Burrowes claims that Diddy frequently subjected him to unwanted sexual advances, groping, and acts of sexual exhibitionism. The complaint further alleges that Diddy forced Burrowes to witness him engaging in sexual acts with employees, interns, and prospective artists at their Manhattan office.
One of the most disturbing allegations dates back to 1995 when Diddy allegedly physically restrained Burrowes in an apartment, pinned him down on a bed, and simulated intercourse until he ejaculated. In another alleged incident that same year, Diddy reportedly greeted Burrowes in the nude during a business trip and demanded that he watch as he masturbated.
Burrowes further asserts that in 1996, the abuse escalated to physical violence when Diddy allegedly stormed into his office wielding a baseball bat, threatening him into signing over his 25% stake in Bad Boy Entertainment. Burrowes claims that this act of coercion ultimately led to his financial downfall, alleging that Diddy later used his industry influence to blackball him from securing work with major record labels or management firms.
While Burrowes initially filed a lawsuit against Diddy in 2023 over the baseball bat incident, his claims were dismissed due to the statute of limitations. However, he has refiled his case under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Act, which, in 2022, established a two-year lookback window allowing individuals to bring forth civil lawsuits even if their claims had exceeded the typical seven-year limit. That window closed on March 1, 2025, leading to a surge of lawsuits against Diddy, with over a dozen filed just before the deadline.
Diddy’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that they are baseless and designed to exploit the legal system. The lawsuit adds to Diddy’s mounting legal troubles, as he is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution. As the case unfolds, the music mogul’s reputation and legacy continue to face serious scrutiny.
