Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — A Florida man has filed a sexual battery lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, adding to a mounting list of civil suits already pending against the music mogul who is serving a 50-month federal sentence for prostitution-related convictions.
Jonathan Hay accused Combs of assault as well as false imprisonment, sexual harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other causes of action, reported NewsNation affiliate WFLA.
“I was stonewalled. Nobody listened. The police didn’t do anything because, at the time, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (was) untouchable,” Hay told the outlet.
Hay alleged that in 2020, when he was producing a project for the estate of the Notorious B.I.G., Combs told him to put on clothes belonging to B.I.G. He then said Combs started watching pornography on his cell phone and masturbating in front of him.
Hay told the outlet that he told C.J. Wallace, B.I.G.’s son, and another man about what happened, and in turn they cancelled the project. Weeks later, Hay said they reached back out to him.
“When C.J. and Willie contacted me, they said they wanted to meet up and they wanted to apologize for what happened and how they responded,” he told the outlet.
The lawsuit alleges Willie Mack and Wallace took Hay to Revolt TV, grabbed Hay, covered his head and took him to Combs at an unknown location. That’s where Combs allegedly sexually assaulted him.
Wallace and Mack then drove Hay home, the lawsuit stated, reported WFLA.
“Diddy just doesn’t show up at the location to violate me the way that he did without there being some kind of correspondence between the other perpetrators that attacked me,” Hay said. “The ultimate betrayal, the ultimate violation as a man for another man to do that to me. And I went through severe depression where I was suicidal.”
In a statement to WFLA, an attorney for Wallace said, “Jonathan Hay’s allegations against CJ Wallace are absurd and baseless. The case is frivolous and will eventually be dismissed, with Hay being ordered to reimburse our costs. It is unfortunate that the media is not thoroughly vetting Hay’s allegations, which change from day to day and make no sense.”
Combs’ team did not immediately return a request for comment by NewsNation.
Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act this summer. He was acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
He was granted an expedited appeals process by Judge Beth Robinson in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Monday, according to a court order obtained by NewsNation.
This broadens the possibility Combs could see freedom prior to his expected May 2028 release date.
Hay told WFLA that he is pursuing both a civil and criminal case against Combs.
“Anybody who doesn’t believe me believes Sean Combs and C.J. Wallace. But people should believe me because I’m a victim. So I’m coming out telling the truth,” Hay said.
Combs has been embroiled in dozens of civil suits since his former partner, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, sued him in 2023. Combs settled with Ventura and has denied the allegations listed against him in all other lawsuits.