Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mother is speaking out as her son awaits trial for sexual assault and sex trafficking crimes.
Janice Small Combs released a statement Sunday through her attorney, Natlie G. Figgers, per The Hollywood Reporter. Janice insists that her son is being unfairly portrayed in the media.
“It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies,” the statement says. “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. Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.”
The statement also made reference to allegations of rape and assault Diddy faced last year from his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The rap artist initially denied those claims, but then a hotel surveillance video started circulating, leading to Combs admitting wrongdoing and apologizing. Ventura agreed to a settlement.
“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,” Janice’s statement went on.
“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. 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.”
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Janice insisted that the incident with Ventura should not serve as proof of Diddy’s guilt on the other allegations.
“Many individuals who were wrongfully convicted and later exonerated had their freedom taken from them not because they were guilty of the crimes they were accused of, but because they didn’t fit the image of what this society considers to be a ‘good person,’” the statement continues. “History has showed [sic] us how individuals can be wrongfully convicted due to their past actions or mistakes.”
“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,” the statement continued.
Diddy is facing 120 or more additional lawsuits in the near future, as The Daily Wire previously reported, including complaints from at least 25 minors. His mother said she believes these complaints are motivated by greed.
“These lies thrown at him are motivated by those seeking a financial gain, and not justice,” she said.
“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. False allegations of sexual assault thwart true victims of sexual violence from getting the justice they deserve. To make matters worse, the federal government is now using these lies to prosecute my son. 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.”
Combs pleaded not guilty to federal charges and has been denied bail twice after being arrested in September.