Who is Diplo and what has he been accused of?

THOMAS Wesley Pentz, known professionally as Diplo, has gained worldwide recognition for his musical career.

In 2021, he made headlines after the Los Angeles city attorney’s office revealed it could pursue criminal charges against him following an October 2020 police report.

Who is Diplo?

Born on 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, known as a trio of Jamaican-American electronic music DJs, alongside Switch in 2008.

Over the years, he has worked alongside some of the music industry’s best, including Sia, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown and more.

Pentz got his start in the entertainment industry after becoming a DJ for a local radio station while studying at 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 son was born from a relationship with model Jevon King.

What was Diplo accused of?

In 2020, a then-25-year-old woman accused the DJ of recording sexually explicit videos of her without her permission.

Within the charges, she also alleges that Pentz distributed at least one without her consent and knowingly infected 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 press charges.

“We are reviewing the nomination and have no further comment at this time,” Rob Wilcox, a spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney, 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 attorney responded to the allegations in a November 2020 statement to Rolling Stonesaying, “In no way did my client violate any law.

“In fact, he has made it clear repeatedly that he wants absolutely nothing to do with this person – and simply needs the continued 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 lawsuit filed in California, an anonymous woman alleges 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 before she learned he distributed explicit images and videos of her without her knowledge or consent.

The lawsuit goes on to state that in 2023, another woman, whom she did not know, told her that Pentz had sent her images and videos of their sexual encounters via Snapchat in October 2018.

She claims in the lawsuit that he continues to distribute her intimate images and videos today.

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What is Diplo’s net worth?

Outside of the accusations, Pentz is known for his music career.

From 2024, Celebrity Net Worth reports that Pentz has a net worth of $70 million.

The outlet also reports that Pentz takes home nearly $20 million in an average year of touring.