LAST UPDATE | 1 Oct

MORE THAN 100 alleged victims are to sue rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs and others for rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation, a US lawyer announced today.

“This is an important matter that we intend to aggressively pursue,” Texas-based Tony Buzbee said. “We will leave no stone unturned to find all potentially liable parties, to include any individual or entity who participated in or benefitted from this egregious behaviour.”

Buzbee said he is representing 120 accusers who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Combs. He said he expects lawsuits to be filed within the next month.

Buzbee described the victims as 60 males and 60 females, and that 25 were minors at the time of the alleged misconduct.

Combs, 54, has been locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty on September 17 to federal charges that he used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed “Freak Offs”.

Following the news conference in Texas, an attorney for Combs said the performer “cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus”.

“That said, Mr Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors,” lawyer Erica Wolff said in a statement.

“He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court if and when claims are filed and served, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.”

Buzbee has also represented women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.

The legal action is the latest against Combs, who was indicted last month on three criminal counts that allege he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.

Allegations have been building against Combs since last year, when singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape.

A spate of similarly lurid lawsuits since describe Combs as a violent man who used his celebrity to prey on women.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He has been jailed awaiting trial.

Includes reporting by Press Association.