Brian Buckmeyer

In early October 2024, a trial lawyer out of Houston named Tony Busby held his own press conference. Busby stood in front of a podium in a dark suit and pink tie. His brown hair was slicked back. Behind him, a sign read SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE in all caps. Below it, a 1-800 number in bright red font. Apparently, a lot of people have called this number.

In early October 2024, a trial lawyer out of Houston named Tony Busby held his own press conference. Busby stood in front of a podium in a dark suit and pink tie. His brown hair was slicked back. Behind him, a sign read SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE in all caps. Below it, a 1-800 number in bright red font. Apparently, a lot of people have called this number.

ABC reached out to the company tracking the calls. In April 2025, they told us they'd been contacted about 26,000 times.

ABC reached out to the company tracking the calls. In April 2025, they told us they'd been contacted about 26,000 times.

Busby reportedly filed nearly 40 civil lawsuits against Combs before he had to remove himself from the federal cases last month. That's because he's not admitted to practice in the Southern District of New York. But more than a dozen of his lawsuits are still moving forward without him, and Busby is still active on a couple lawsuits filed in New York State Court.

Busby reportedly filed nearly 40 civil lawsuits against Combs before he had to remove himself from the federal cases last month. That's because he's not admitted to practice in the Southern District of New York. But more than a dozen of his lawsuits are still moving forward without him, and Busby is still active on a couple lawsuits filed in New York State Court.

Busby told reporters these lawsuits have some common denominators. For example, a lot of the alleged incidents happened at parties.

Busby told reporters these lawsuits have some common denominators. For example, a lot of the alleged incidents happened at parties.

Second, most of the victims say they were drugged.

Second, most of the victims say they were drugged.

Third, some victims allege they were threatened, including threats of physical violence or threats of financial consequences for speaking out. Busby promised the day would come when he would name names of other powerful people who were allegedly involved. A couple months after his press conference, Busby did name a name, a big one, Jay-Z.

Third, some victims allege they were threatened, including threats of physical violence or threats of financial consequences for speaking out. Busby promised the day would come when he would name names of other powerful people who were allegedly involved. A couple months after his press conference, Busby did name a name, a big one, Jay-Z.

He was listed as Diddy's co-defendant in an alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in 2000 after the MTV Video Music Awards. Jay-Z fired back on Instagram, where he described the allegations against him as frivolous, fictitious, and appalling.

He was listed as Diddy's co-defendant in an alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in 2000 after the MTV Video Music Awards. Jay-Z fired back on Instagram, where he described the allegations against him as frivolous, fictitious, and appalling.

ABC obtained a recording of the Jane Doe who made those allegations, telling private investigators for Jay-Z that the rapper had been present, but not involved in the sexual assault. And she said that Tony Busby had pressured her to name Jay-Z in the suit, an allegation Busby has called a blatant lie.

ABC obtained a recording of the Jane Doe who made those allegations, telling private investigators for Jay-Z that the rapper had been present, but not involved in the sexual assault. And she said that Tony Busby had pressured her to name Jay-Z in the suit, an allegation Busby has called a blatant lie.

Despite the recording, the Jane Doe said in a sworn declaration she stands by her initial claims and dropped her lawsuit because of fear of intimidation and retaliation from Jay-Z and his fans. But her lawsuit against both men has been withdrawn with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. Now, Jay-Z is countersuing Busby and the Jane Doe for defamation.

Despite the recording, the Jane Doe said in a sworn declaration she stands by her initial claims and dropped her lawsuit because of fear of intimidation and retaliation from Jay-Z and his fans. But her lawsuit against both men has been withdrawn with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. Now, Jay-Z is countersuing Busby and the Jane Doe for defamation.

Still, as Diddy prepares for his federal criminal trial, he faces over 60 pending civil lawsuits.

Still, as Diddy prepares for his federal criminal trial, he faces over 60 pending civil lawsuits.