Sean “Diddy” Combs is grappling with a slew of challenging allegations. The latest is another sexual assault lawsuit, one brought by a woman who claims he drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991 when she was a college student. Then there are the allegations made by his ex-girlfriend Cassie, ones made by former liquor partner Diageo Plc, and now from the hosts of the popular financial podcast, “Earn Your Leisure.”
As Finurah previously reported, on Aug. 26, Diddy, whose net worth is estimated to be close to $1 billion, announced a $1 million investment in the Earn Your Leisure Investment Fund.
Earn Your Leisure has a Diddy business connection. In addition to the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast, hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings have a show on Diddy’s Revolt TV network called “Assets Over Liabilities.” Separate but similar to the podcast, the show makes financial literacy approachable for marginalized communities.
In the midst of allegations of sexual assault against Diddy by his former longtime girlfriend, a civil lawsuit was initiated on Nov. 16. However, it was swiftly resolved the following day. Surprisingly, the hosts of the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast have now disclosed that they have not yet received the donation they were promised months ago.
On Nov. 20, in a recent episode of their Monday Market video podcast, Bilal addressed a viewer’s comment regarding the investment from Diddy and the influence of their affiliation with Diddy on their brand. Bilal clarified that neither he nor his partner had ever received the promised money. Furthermore, he noted that the user had been blocked due to posing a question with a loaded context.
“‘Give Diddy that money back, EYL.’ Well, Bozo, we never got the money. I don’t have to respond to you. I don’t have to respond to you internet trolls,” Bilal said, responding to a user’s comment on the podcast. “For you saying that, you’re getting blocked. You’ll never be able to speak on Earn Your Leisure’s platform ever again.”
Millings was by Bilal’s side and laughed at the awkward moment.
The sexual misconduct accusations surrounding Diddy have had a ripple effect. Though it is not confirmed whteher or not the allegations of true, with Diddy’s attorney, Ben Brafman, saying, “ [Cassie demanded] $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday.” it seems that cracks in his damaged reputation are beginning to show, even though he and Cassie quickly settled their lawsuit for undisclosed amount within days.
Diddy’s Troubles
On Thanksgiving Day, a second accuser, Joi Dickerson-Neal, came forward with accusations against Diddy, alleging that he drugged her in Manhattan, and sexually assaulted and abused in a filing, CNN reported. The alleged incident occurred in 1991. Dickerson-Neal also claims that she was the victim of “revenge porn,” according to court documents. She says, according to the suit, Combs videotaped the January 1991 assault and distributed the tape to others in the music industry. Combs, through a spokesman, has denied all of the allegations.
Diddy has deals that are now shaky ground because of the stigma of these allegations. It has been reported, though not confirmed, that Macy’s might stop carrying his clothing line. And a podcaster on his Revolt TV network reportedly resigned in protest.
Then there’s the Diageo legal mess. The parent company behind Diddy’s Ciroc vodka and DeLeón tequila believes he should no longer be the face of the DeLeón brand due to the accusations, as the company said in a court filing last week.
