Sean “Diddy” Combs may be facing fresh legal troubles while serving his 50-month prison sentence in a federal facility in New Jersey.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that it is reviewing sexual assault allegations made against the music mogul by Hollywood publicist Jonathan Hay. The allegations were first reported to authorities in Largo, Florida, in September 2025, shortly before Combs was sentenced following his federal trial.
Because the alleged incidents took place in Los Angeles in 2020 and 2021, the case was referred to California authorities. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department previously stated that the claims were being examined by its Special Victims Bureau, and prosecutors are now reviewing the evidence gathered during the investigation.
According to Hay, the first incident occurred in 2020 while he was working on remix projects involving Christopher “CJ” Wallace, the son of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. Hay alleges that he was alone with Combs during a photoshoot when Combs exposed himself and engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct. Hay claims Combs then threw a shirt belonging to the late rapper at him after the encounter.
Hay further alleges that a second incident took place in 2021, during which Combs forced him to perform oral sex. He has said the experience left him emotionally devastated and led to suicidal thoughts.
No criminal charges have been filed, and the District Attorney’s Office has not announced whether prosecutors intend to move forward with a case.
Speaking to CNN, Hay said he had considered coming forward months before singer Cassie Ventura—Combs’ former longtime partner—filed her explosive civil lawsuit against him. Ventura’s lawsuit, which was settled the day after it was filed for $20 million, helped trigger increased scrutiny of Combs and eventually contributed to the federal investigation that led to his criminal trial.
Hay’s allegations became public through an anonymous civil lawsuit filed in July. The suit named Combs, Wallace, and others, accusing them of helping facilitate or enable the alleged abuse. Wallace has denied the claims and filed a defamation lawsuit against Hay, arguing that the allegations were motivated by frustration over unreleased music connected to the Notorious B.I.G. estate.
Following confirmation that Los Angeles prosecutors are reviewing the case, Hay welcomed the development.
In a statement, he described the investigation as an important step toward accountability, saying he believes authorities are taking his allegations seriously and that the process represents progress in his pursuit of justice.
Combs has denied Hay’s allegations, as well as numerous other claims made against him. Beyond the potential criminal investigation in Los Angeles, he is also facing approximately 70 civil lawsuits involving accusations that include sexual assault and drugging.
One of those lawsuits involves both Combs and Ventura. It was filed by Clayton Howard, a male sex worker who claims he was hired by the former couple and subjected to abuse. Howard alleges that he participated in drug-fueled sexual encounters with Combs and Ventura and later suffered physical and emotional harm as a result.
In court filings related to that case, Ventura stated that she no longer lives in the United States and does not plan to return. She has also filed legal claims disputing allegations made against her by Wallace.
Combs’ current imprisonment stems from his federal criminal trial. In July, a jury found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. However, he was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
He was sentenced in October to 50 months in prison and is currently serving that sentence in New Jersey while his legal team pursues an appeal.
As prosecutors in Los Angeles continue to review the evidence connected to Hay’s allegations, it remains unclear whether Combs will face additional criminal charges. For now, the investigation remains active, and no final decision has been made.
