A federal lawsuit filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs has undergone a significant amendment, removing all references to music icons Jay-Z and Beyoncé, who were initially named as witnesses to an alleged “freak off” party in 2015. The plaintiff, Manzaro Joseph, continues to assert that other celebrities—including LeBron James, Gloria Estefan, and Jacob Arabo—witnessed his alleged mistreatment at the event.
However, following a challenge from Jay-Z’s legal team, which provided evidence that the couple was not in Miami at the time of the alleged incident, Joseph has dropped all claims involving Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
Manzaro Joseph, a Florida resident, initiated the lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs earlier this month, detailing disturbing allegations stemming from a 2015 birthday party for Diddy’s son, King Combs, held on Star Island in Miami. According to the original filing, Joseph claims he was drugged, transported to the party, sexually assaulted, humiliated, and forced to wear degrading attire, including a “penis mask.”
The initial lawsuit implicated several high-profile figures as witnesses. Joseph alleged he was first taken to the mansion of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, where Gloria reportedly saw him in a drugged state and tried to call for medical help, only to be stopped by Emilio.
Inside Diddy’s residence, Joseph claimed he encountered NBA star LeBron James in a hallway, who acknowledged his distressed condition but did not assist him.
Central to the recent amendment, Joseph initially asserted that Jay-Z and Beyoncé were at the party and observed his humiliation. The filing detailed a moment where Beyoncé allegedly asked,
“Why is this half-naked white man with a mask standing here in front of me?”
A member of Diddy’s entourage reportedly responded that it was punishment for Joseph being a “snitch.”
Beyond Jay-Z and Beyoncé, the lawsuit named additional celebrities as witnesses. Celebrity jeweler Jacob Arabo was allegedly present and appeared unsettled by Joseph’s condition. Gloria Estefan, as noted, reportedly attempted twice to seek help for Joseph but was silenced by her husband, Emilio.
While these individuals were cited as observers of the alleged abuse, they were not defendants. The lawsuit targets Diddy, Emilio Estefan, Adria English—accused of participating in the abuse—and Brendan Paul, described as Diddy’s alleged “drug mule.”
On April 11, 2025, Joseph filed an amended lawsuit, notably excising all mentions of Jay-Z and Beyoncé. This change appears to be the primary alteration, leaving allegations against other celebrities intact. According to TMZ, the amendment followed intervention by Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, who warned Joseph’s legal team about making false claims.
Spiro provided evidence proving Jay-Z and Beyoncé were not in Miami during the alleged incident, prompting the removal of their names. Others similarly reported that Spiro’s submission of contradictory evidence led to this significant revision.
The amended lawsuit retains its allegations against Diddy, accusing him of drugging, assaulting, and humiliating Joseph at the 2015 party. It also continues to call LeBron James, Gloria Estefan, and Jacob Arabo witnesses. Diddy’s legal team has dismissed the lawsuit as a “publicity stunt for money,” asserting that the claims are “unbelievable and will be disproven in court.”
Currently, Sean “Diddy” Combs is detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, following his September 16, 2024, arrest on separate federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty, with his trial set for May 5, 2025, in Manhattan federal court.
This lawsuit is not the first legal matter linking Diddy and Jay-Z. In February 2025, a separate lawsuit accusing both of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 was dismissed “with prejudice” by the anonymous plaintiff, Jane Doe, barring its refining.
Jay-Z, legally Shawn Carter, hailed the dismissal as a “victory,” with Spiro emphasizing that no settlement or payment was involved. In January 2025, Diddy filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Courtney Burgess, who claimed to possess incriminating videos, further illustrating the ongoing legal turmoil surrounding him.
The removal of Jay-Z and Beyoncé from Manzaro Joseph’s lawsuit marks a pivotal shift in this high-profile case against Sean “Diddy” Combs. While the amendment hints at potential vulnerabilities in Joseph’s claims, the lawsuit persists with grave accusations against Diddy and references to other celebrities.
As Diddy faces separate federal charges, this civil action complicates his legal battles. Jay-Z’s legal team’s swift success underscores the power of evidence in countering allegations, leaving the courts to determine the fate of Joseph’s remaining claims in the months ahead.