Beyoncé and LeBron James Named as Alleged Witnesses in Diddy’s Human Trafficking Lawsuit

Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing fresh human trafficking accusations as he awaits a federal trial.

In a civil lawsuit filed in Florida on April 1, Joseph Manzaro alleges that in 2015, he was “drugged, forcibly transported, and sexually assaulted as part of a coordinated criminal enterprise” involving Combs and others. The filing also identifies high-profile figures like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and LeBron James as potential witnesses.

Combs has vehemently denied the allegations.

According to court documents obtained by E! News, Manzaro recounts an incident in April 2015 when he lost consciousness after coming into contact with a “greasy substance similar to Vaseline” while opening the door to his home. He claims he was then moved to another location, where an associate of Combs allegedly informed him that the mogul wanted him to attend a “Freak-Off” event.

The lawsuit further contends that Manzaro was secretly moved to Combs’ residence via a concealed tunnel, allegedly connected to the Miami estate of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

He alleges that “upon regaining partial consciousness,” he “found himself inside a large party area, upon information and belief” that it was a birthday party for Combs’ then-17-year-old son Christian Combs. There, he was allegedly forced to appear in a penis mask.

“Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter were seated in the room,” the lawsuit states, “and upon seeing [Manzaro], Beyoncé Knowles-Carter asked, ‘What’s this? What’s this all about? Why is this half-naked white man with a penis mask standing here in front of me?”‘

Manzaro alleges in the lawsuit that he was “forcibly paraded through multiple rooms filled with people who were jeering and taunting him” and that Combs himself stated, “He’s gonna find out what we do to snitches tonight. Get him undressed!”

Manzaro says that after being stripped and forcibly washed, he was “sexually assaulted and forced to partake in unwanted sexual activity” until he allegedly lost consciousness again. He also alleges in the filing he woke up to find himself on a couch in a small, dark side room, after which he says he was dressed and taken out of the residence to another house, where he was “savagely beaten and left for dead.”

In a statement to E! News, Combs’ legal team dismissed the allegations, stating that the filed complaint “shows the lengths to which plaintiffs will go to generate headlines in hopes of securing a financial payoff. No rational person reading this complaint would believe this story. Mr. Combs looks forward to his day in court, where these falsehoods—and the ulterior motives of those making them—will be exposed.”

Manzaro’s lawsuit also claims that the Estefans and LeBron James saw him before he entered Combs’ residence. The suit details that as he was “dragged through the back entrance” of the Estefans’ mansion around 12:30 a.m., Gloria allegedly “panicked” upon seeing his “deteriorating condition” and reportedly said, “Call an ambulance!” However, Manzaro states that Emilio “quickly silenced her and ushered her away.”

The lawsuit also asserts that when Manzaro encountered LeBron James, the NBA star allegedly responded to Gloria’s suggestion to call for an ambulance by saying, “Y’all better do something about that!”

In response, Jay-Z’s attorney told TMZ that the rapper was not in Florida at the time of the alleged incident. Similarly, LeBron James’ representative confirmed that the athlete was playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was not in Miami when the alleged party occurred. Additionally, a representative for Gloria and Emilio Estefan denied any parties were held at their Miami residence between 2012 and 2019.

As a result of the alleged party, Manzaro says in the lawsuit he suffered catastrophic physical injuries, including severe internal trauma, permanent groin damage, sexual maiming, and multiple inguinal hernias, and that they are extensively documented by medical evaluations from a urologist and surgeon.

In a 2024 federal indictment charging Combs with sex trafficking and other charges, he was accused of using his companies to transport women and male sex workers to take part in recorded sexual performances, or “Freak Offs.”

Prosecutors allege his employees facilitated the events by booking hotel rooms and stocking them with drugs and baby oil and other lubricants.

The music producer has pleaded not guilty in the case, and remains in jail ahead of his May trial.