Embattled American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing another sexual assault prosecution after a woman came forward with new allegations against him.
Former porn star Adria English filed a complaint against him in New York, the latest in a series of lawsuits filed against the star in recent months.
Diddy, one of rap’s most prominent moguls, has continuously rejected all claims of sexual assault and physical violence, including the most recent.
According to NBC News, Diddy is now under federal criminal investigation, though no charges are expected.
Diddy’s legal problems have grown since November, when ex-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura filed claims against him. He apologised earlier this year when video footage emerged showing him punching Ms. Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016.
The current action in York claims that Mr. Combs “forced and coerced (Ms. English) to engage in sex work for him” during parties.
It also claims that the rapper threatened to ruin her career if she did not cooperate.
Ms. English’s 114-page complaint contains 33 charges against Mr. Combs and his accomplices, covering incidents from 2004 to 2009.
“No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone,” his lawyer told US media.
The statement went on to say that “Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail against these and other baseless claims in court.”.
Ms. English is the latest of several women to file claims against Mr. Combs in recent months, following Ms. Ventura’s lawsuit, which Mr. Combs resolved in November for an unknown sum.
She had accused him of rape and sexual trafficking for a decade.
Mr. Combs’ team underlined that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing. Since then, the rapper has faced several allegations of sexual and physical assault.
His residences in Los Angeles and Miami, Florida, were searched earlier this year as part of a federal investigation into human trafficking.
Mr. Combs’ team has been informed that he is the focus of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, according to NBC News, citing two sources familiar with his legal difficulties.
The specifics of the rumoured probe have yet to be released, and neither federal officials nor Mr. Comb’s legal team have commented on the topic.