120 people accuse Sean Combs of sexual misconduct

A US attorney is representing 120 accusers who say they were victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation at the hands of Sean "Diddy" Combs and are preparing to sue the US hip-hop star.

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee said on Tuesday that he expects lawsuits to be filed within the next month.

Mr 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 17 September 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".

Lawyers and other representatives for Combs did not immediately respond when asked for comment.

At a press conference in Houston, Mr Buzbee said more than 3,000 people had come forward with allegations against Combs, and he appealed for anyone else who might have been a victim to come forward.

Mr Buzbee praised the courage of those who had come forward despite fears of retribution or backlash from their own communities.

"I expect that through this process, many powerful people, many dirty secrets will be revealed.

"We know what we are potentially up against, and as is always the case in situations like this, when a celebrity is involved, people can be downright mean and nasty."

Source: AP, AFP