Who is Diplo and what has he been accused of?
THOMAS Wesley Pentz, known professionally as Diplo, has gained worldwide recognition for his music career.
In 2021, he made headlines after the Los Angeles city attorney’s office revealed they might pursue criminal charges against him following an October 2020 police report.
Who is Diplo?
Born November 10, 1978, Thomas Pentz is known as an American DJ, songwriter, and record producer based in Los Angeles.
Pentz rose to fame after co-creating Major Lazer, which is known as a Jamaican-American electronic dance music DJ trio, alongside Switch in 2008.
Over the years, he has worked alongside some of the music industry’s finest including Sia, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, and more.
Pentz got his start in the entertainment industry after he became the DJ for a local radio station while attending the University of Central Florida.
Outside of music, Pentz is also a father to three children from two different relationships.
Pentz’s children include Lockett, Lazer, and Pace.
Pentz had his first two children with his ex Kathryn Lockhart while his youngest child is from a relationship with model Jevon King.
What has Diplo been accused of?
Back in 2020, a then-25-year-old woman accused the DJ of recording sexually explicit videos of her without her permission.
Within the allegations, she also alleges that Pentz distributed at least one without her consent, and knowingly infecting her with chlamydia.
The woman also filed for a temporary restraining order and filed a civil lawsuit earlier this year.
In October 2021, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office revealed that they might file charges.
“We are reviewing the referral and have no further comment at this time,” Rob Wilcox, an LA city attorney spokesperson, told BuzzFeed.
The LAPD has not identified the woman at this time.
The unidentified woman also accused the DJ of raping her in his Las Vegas hotel room.
Pentz’s lawyer replied to the allegations in a November 2020 statement to Rolling Stone, saying, “In no way has my client violated any law.
“In fact, he has repeatedly made it clear that he wants nothing whatsoever to do with this person — and simply needs her ongoing harassment of his family to end.”
At this time, no criminal charges have been filed.
On June 27, 2024, the already-embattled DJ was hit with a second lawsuit accusing him of distributing revenge porn.
An anonymous woman filed a lawsuit accusing Pentz of distributing sexually explicit images and videos of her, Vanity Fair reports.
According to the suit filed in California, an anonymous woman is claiming that she began communicating with Pentz on Snapchat in April 2016 before they exchanged “pornographic images.”
The suit also alleges that their relationship ended in October 2023, a month prior to her learning that he distributed explicit images and videos of her without her knowledge or consent.
The suit goes on to say that in 2023, another woman, whom she did not know, told her that Pentz had sent her images and videos of their sexual encounters through Snapchat in October 2018.
She says in the suit that he continues to distribute her intimate images and videos presently.
What is Diplo’s net worth?
Outside of the allegations, Pentz has been known for his music career.
As of 2024, Celebrity Net Worth reports that Pentz has a net worth of $70 million.
The media outlet also reports that Pentz takes home nearly $20 million in an average touring year.