Case #25CHCV03555 · California Superior Court, Los Angeles County

John Doe v. Sean Combs et al

Filed October 03, 2025 Judge Judge Michael J. O'Gara
Closed Individual Doe 1 Sean Combs Daddy's House Recordings, Inc. CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a Combs Global f/k/a Combs Enterprises LLC Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Bad Boy Productions Holdings, Inc. Bad Boy Books Holdings, Inc. Bad Boy Records Bad Boy Entertainment LLC Bad Boy Productions, LLC Organizational Does 1-10 Individual Does 2-10
Contains Sexual Assault · Rape · Drugging · HIV Transmission
Parties
John Doe Plaintiff
Individual Doe 1 Unknown male who allegedly sexually assaulted John Doe and transmitted HIV to him, believed to work for Sean Combs or one of the Combs Businesses.
Sean Combs Individual, a prominent rapper, record producer, and record executive who hosted the after-party where the assault occurred and allegedly facilitated the drugging.
Daddy's House Recordings, Inc. New York corporation, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a Combs Global f/k/a Combs Enterprises LLC Delaware LLC, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, Inc. New York corporation, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
Bad Boy Productions Holdings, Inc. New York corporation, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
Bad Boy Books Holdings, Inc. New York corporation, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
Bad Boy Records Entity of unknown type, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
Bad Boy Entertainment LLC New York LLC, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
Bad Boy Productions, LLC New York LLC, part of the Combs Businesses, alleged to have enabled the assault through negligent supervision.
Organizational Does 1-10 Unknown entities that allegedly enabled or conspired with Combs in the conduct.
Individual Does 2-10 Unknown individuals who allegedly enabled or conspired with Combs in the conduct.
Factual Allegations
Disclaimer: allegations as pled by the plaintiff, summarized by Grok.

In late 2014, John Doe, a college student and Los Angeles native interning for Bad Boy Records, was invited to assist with the production of a music video for an artist signed to the label. He drove to the shoot at a house in the Val Verde area near Los Angeles, where Sean Combs was present. After the shoot, an after-party was held at the same location, hosted by Combs. The party had an open bar with alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and other narcotics provided. Doe consumed two to three alcoholic drinks from the staff, after which he felt unusually 'off,' despite being experienced with alcohol. He became increasingly intoxicated, nearing blackout, and believes the drinks were spiked with drugs. In a haze, Doe was led to a room where sexual acts were occurring, unable to resist due to the effects of the substance(s). He was placed on a bed or couch and was anally penetrated by an unknown individual, alleged as Individual Doe 1. Due to the drugs and trauma, Doe blacked out. He regained consciousness around 4:00 or 5:00 a.m., noticed significant rectal bleeding in the restroom, and left the party. The next day, he tested negative for sexually transmitted diseases, but a few months later, he tested positive for HIV, which he attributes to the assault. He has been treated for HIV ever since and suffers ongoing physical and psychological harm.

Prayer for Relief

Past, present, and future general and special damages, including lost earnings and economic damages; statutory damages; costs of suit; interest as allowed by law; punitive or exemplary damages; attorney’s fees pursuant to Civil Code sections 51.9(b), 52, 52.4; and other relief deemed just by the court.

Causes of Action
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION Sexual Assault & Battery (Against Defendant Individual Doe 1, Sean Combs)
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION Gender Violence Cal. Civ. Code § 52.4 (Against Defendant Individual Doe 1, Sean Combs)
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION Negligent Supervision and Retention (Against Defendants Daddy's House Recordings, Inc., CE OPCO, LLC, Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, Inc., Bad Boy Productions Holdings, Inc., Bad Boy Books Holdings, Inc., Bad Boy Records, Bad Boy Entertainment LLC, Bad Boy Productions, LLC)
Court Dates
DateTypeDescription
May 5, 2026 Hearing Order to Show Cause Re: removal to federal court
Docket
Date No. Description
Oct 3, 2025 1 Summons on Complaint. Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Oct 3, 2025 2 Notice of Case Assignment - Unlimited Civil Case. Filed by Clerk No document
Oct 3, 2025 3 Complaint. Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Oct 3, 2025 4 Civil Case Cover Sheet. Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Oct 3, 2025 5 Alternative Dispute Resolution Packet. Filed by Clerk No document
Oct 6, 2025 6 Notice of Case Management Conference. Filed by Clerk No document
Oct 6, 2025 7 Clerks Certificate of Service By Electronic Service. Filed by Clerk No document
Oct 23, 2025 8 Notice of Posting of Jury Fees. Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Dec 18, 2025 9 Proof of Personal Service. Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Dec 18, 2025 10 Proof of Personal Service. Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Dec 18, 2025 11 Proof of Personal Service. Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Dec 29, 2025 12 Notice of Case Reassignment and Order for Plaintiff to Give Notice. Filed by Clerk No document
Dec 29, 2025 13 Clerks Certificate of Service By Electronic Service. Filed by Clerk No document
Dec 30, 2025 14 Proof of Service (not Summons and Complaint). Filed by John Doe (Plaintiff) No document
Jan 12, 2026 15 Notice of Removal to Federal Court. Filed by Sean Combs (Defendant); Daddy's House Recordings, Inc. (Defendant); CE OPCO, LLC (Defendant) et al. No document
Jan 12, 2026 16 Notice TO ADVERSE PARTY OF REMOVAL TO FEDERAL COURT BY SPECIALLY APPEARING DEFENDANTS. Filed by Sean Combs (Defendant); Daddy's House Recordings, Inc. (Defendant); CE OPCO, LLC (Defendant) et al. No document
Feb 26, 2026 17 Minute Order (Case Management Conference). Filed by Clerk No document
Feb 26, 2026 18 Clerks Certificate of Service By Electronic Service. Filed by Clerk No document
May 5, 2026 19 Minute Order (Order to Show Cause Re: removal to federal court). Filed by Clerk No document
Attorneys
Anthony G. Buzbee
The Buzbee Law Firm
Plaintiff
David C. Fortney
The Buzbee Law Firm
Plaintiff
Thomas Colby Holler
The Buzbee Law Firm
Plaintiff
Meredith Drukker Stratigopoulos
The Buzbee Law Firm
Plaintiff
Michael Schonbuch
Schonbuch Hallissy LLP
Civil Defense