Deonte Nash v. Sean Combs

From 2008 to 2018, Deonte Nash, an African American gay man, worked as a stylist and creative director for Defendants, primarily for Sean Combs and his then-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, starting as an intern in New York City at age 21. During this decade, Nash endured repeated sexual assaults, physical violence, sexual and verbal harassment, psychological manipulation, and control over his personal and professional life. Specific incidents include: In 2013 or 2014, at Combs’ glass house party, Combs exposed his penis to Nash in front of others, approaching him until Nash verbally rebuffed him. In 2015 in Las Vegas, Combs entered a bathroom without permission while Nash was changing, pinched his nipple, and made sexual comments about his body. In August 2016, during a photo session, Combs forcibly placed Nash’s hand on his penis and groped his butt. In 2017 at a Bad Boy Reunion Tour Party in Los Angeles, Combs grabbed Nash’s butt, making a sexual comment. In 2018 in New York City, Combs grinded on Nash’s genital area during a fitting, and at a Miami New Year’s Eve party, Combs grabbed Nash’s butt and made inappropriate sexual remarks. Combs frequently made derogatory comments about Nash’s homosexuality, calling him a ‘faggot’ during incidents in 2009 (Cîroc Vodka shoot, Los Angeles), 2010 (Dirty Money Tour, London), and during the Chicago leg of the tour, humiliating Nash publicly. Physical assaults included strangling Nash in 2013 or 2014 at a music video set, lifting him off the ground in 2014 at a Golden Globes after-party, and violently pushing and slapping him in 2014 at Ventura’s apartment, where Combs’ security chased Nash on the freeway at high speed and later entered his home without permission, confiscating his keys and phone. Combs threatened Nash’s life, including a 2016 threat to have him ‘gang raped’ if he didn’t reveal his and Ventura’s location. Combs controlled Nash’s career by restricting his ability to work with other clients, assigning busy work to limit opportunities, and threatening reputational harm. After Nash’s employment ended in 2018, Combs continued to track, threaten, and extort Nash, including demanding $50,000 in 2019 and pressuring him to influence Ventura. Nash lived in constant fear, keeping a ‘go bag’ and cash to hide, and was coerced into silence until subpoenaed to testify at Combs’ criminal trial in May 2025. These actions caused severe physical and psychological trauma, economic harm, and ongoing fear for Nash’s safety and career.

General and compensatory damages; non-economic damages including stress, anxiety, emotional distress, grief, mental anguish, pain, and suffering; prejudgment and pretrial interest; punitive damages; costs of suit; and other relief deemed just by the court.