Flurry of civil cases could await Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs after his criminal trial

No matter the outcome, Sean Combs faces other legal issues when his criminal trial is over.

By end of the week, a jury is expected to be seated in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. It’s a stunning turn of events for the once kingmaker in music, a man who reached billionaire status as a rapper, producer and entrepreneur. Combs has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Regardless of the outcome, Combs’ legal troubles won’t end with his criminal trial. He’s facing more than 60 civil lawsuits in which he is accused of sexual assault or other wrongdoing. Combs has denied all the allegations. Attorney Andrew Van Arsdale, who represents 37 individuals who have already filed civil claims of sexual assault against Combs, told CNN in an exclusive interview that he has more than 400 new potential civil claims. The attorney said he intends to file civil claims against Combs after his criminal trial, largely because his clients are fearful of possible retaliation if the embattled music industry vet walks free. “From my clients’ perspective, the reason that they were so hesitant to come forward for so long in many cases was because of the power that this individual wielded and the threats to their professional opportunities that they felt he could create,” Van Arsdale said. “I do think there’s an idea that, ‘Oh my gosh, what if, what if he isn’t found guilty of these charges, right? What if he’s back on the streets in two months? What would have happened to me if I had made these allegations?”