Brian Buckmeyer

But just barely two months after the release of the Love album and the Key to the City ceremony, Cassie files her lawsuit.

But just barely two months after the release of the Love album and the Key to the City ceremony, Cassie files her lawsuit.

Cassie filed her lawsuit just eight days before an important deadline for the New York State's Adult Survivors Act. If you were a survivor of sexual assault and the statute of limitations had expired, this law opened a one-year window to file a civil suit.

Cassie filed her lawsuit just eight days before an important deadline for the New York State's Adult Survivors Act. If you were a survivor of sexual assault and the statute of limitations had expired, this law opened a one-year window to file a civil suit.

Diddy's attorney responded to Cassie's complaint on his client's behalf, saying, Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations, describing them as riddled with baseless and outrageous lies aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs' reputation.

Diddy's attorney responded to Cassie's complaint on his client's behalf, saying, Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations, describing them as riddled with baseless and outrageous lies aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs' reputation.

But then, as we said in the last episode, Cassie and Diddy settled, just a day after she filed, for an undisclosed amount with no admission of guilt. Both parties said it had been resolved amicably.

But then, as we said in the last episode, Cassie and Diddy settled, just a day after she filed, for an undisclosed amount with no admission of guilt. Both parties said it had been resolved amicably.

Culture reporter Justin Tinsley looks back on all the accolades Diddy collected and goodwill he garnered right before news of Cassie's lawsuit broke, and wonders if there were signs maybe Diddy knew the suit was coming. Justin suspects there was a PR move at play.

Culture reporter Justin Tinsley looks back on all the accolades Diddy collected and goodwill he garnered right before news of Cassie's lawsuit broke, and wonders if there were signs maybe Diddy knew the suit was coming. Justin suspects there was a PR move at play.

As an attorney, I can tell you that often the person getting sued knows ahead of time that the suit is coming. The plaintiff might reach out to the other party before even filing to see if they can agree to something without having to go to court. And there are some suggestions Diddy might have known something was coming.

As an attorney, I can tell you that often the person getting sued knows ahead of time that the suit is coming. The plaintiff might reach out to the other party before even filing to see if they can agree to something without having to go to court. And there are some suggestions Diddy might have known something was coming.

For one, a producer who worked with Diddy during this period, Rodney Jones, claims in a lawsuit to have irrefutable evidence that Diddy was taking steps to soften his image ahead of Cassie's lawsuit. Second, Diddy's lawyer alleges that prior to the suit, Cassie was demanding $30 million under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship.

For one, a producer who worked with Diddy during this period, Rodney Jones, claims in a lawsuit to have irrefutable evidence that Diddy was taking steps to soften his image ahead of Cassie's lawsuit. Second, Diddy's lawyer alleges that prior to the suit, Cassie was demanding $30 million under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship.

Which, if true, would suggest Diddy might have known Cassie was considering coming forward with her allegations in some way. Though again, we don't know for sure he was aware ahead of time about her lawsuit. So looking back, all that good press for Diddy preceding Cassie's filing, Was that coincidence or preparation?

Which, if true, would suggest Diddy might have known Cassie was considering coming forward with her allegations in some way. Though again, we don't know for sure he was aware ahead of time about her lawsuit. So looking back, all that good press for Diddy preceding Cassie's filing, Was that coincidence or preparation?

After the break, Cassie's lawsuit inspires others to come forward with their own allegations against Diddy.

After the break, Cassie's lawsuit inspires others to come forward with their own allegations against Diddy.

Oscar Wilde is credited with saying, quote, everything in the world is about sex, except sex. Sex is about power. I've thought about this quote a lot as I've read the allegations against Diddy. The idea that power may have been at the heart of it all. Once news of Cassie's lawsuit broke, the floodgates opened and more alleged survivors of Sean Diddy Combs came forward.

Oscar Wilde is credited with saying, quote, everything in the world is about sex, except sex. Sex is about power. I've thought about this quote a lot as I've read the allegations against Diddy. The idea that power may have been at the heart of it all. Once news of Cassie's lawsuit broke, the floodgates opened and more alleged survivors of Sean Diddy Combs came forward.