Sean “Diddy” Combs' mother, Janice Combs, has publicly spoken in defense of her son as he faces serious charges of s*x trafficking, racketeering, and s*xual assault.
She issued a statement through her lawyer, Natlie G. Figgers, condemning the public treatment of her son before he has had his day in court.
In the statement, Janice said: "It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies. To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words."
While defending her son, Janice Combs admitted that he has made mistakes in the past.
Referring to footage of a 2016 incident where Combs was caught on hotel surveillance physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, she stated, "I am not here to portray my son as perfect because he is not. He has made mistakes in his past, as we all have."
She added: “My son may not have been entirely truthful about certain things, such as denying he has ever gotten violent with an ex-girlfriend when the hotel's surveillance showed otherwise.”
One of the most significant legal challenges Combs faces stems from a lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, last November. Ventura accused him of rape, sex trafficking, and years of physical abuse. Although the lawsuit was settled out of court shortly after being filed, Janice Combs offered insight into why her son may have chosen to settle.
"Sometimes, the truth and a lie become so closely intertwined that it becomes terrifying to admit one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or is too complicated to be believed," she explained.
According to Janice, this complexity likely influenced her son's decision to settle the lawsuit.
“This is why I believe my son's civil legal team opted to settle the ex-girlfriend's lawsuit instead of contesting it until the end, resulting in a ricochet effect as the federal government used this decision against my son by interpreting it as an admission of guilt.”
Though more accusers have come forwards, Janice firmly believes that many of these allegations are financially motivated.
She commented on the recent accusations, stating, "These individuals saw how quickly my son's civil legal team settled his ex-girlfriend's lawsuit, so they believe they can receive a quick payday by falsely accusing my son."
She also expressed concern over the broader implications of false accusations, stating, “False allegations of sexual assault thwart true victims of sexual violence from getting the justice they deserve.”
Janice Combs, in her statement, voiced her frustration over her son's ongoing legal ordeal, stating, "Watching the world make jokes and laugh at my son's life crumbling before our eyes is something I can never forget. It is truly agonizing to watch the world turn against my son so quickly and easily over lies and misconceptions, without ever hearing his side or affording him the opportunity to present his side."
She emphasized that these challenges have been particularly painful for her as a mother, watching her son face public scrutiny and legal consequences.
“This injustice has been unbearable for our family. The worst part of this ordeal is watching my beloved son be stripped of his dignity, not for what he did, but for what people choose to believe about him.”
Janice Combs remains hopeful that her son will have the opportunity to clear his name.
In her closing remarks, she stated, “My son is not the monster they have painted him to be, and he deserves the chance to tell his side. I can only pray that I am alive to see him speak his truth and be vindicated.”