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Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing sex trafficking and racketeering charges, the latest bomb to drop as the hip-hop mogul fights to clear his name from several sexual assault lawsuits filed over the last year.
According to the Associated Press, on Sept. 17, Combs, 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury on sex trafficking and racketeering charges shortly after his arrest on Sept.16 in New York. The indictment, released on Tuesday, outlines a series of alarming allegations against the Bad Boy Records founder. It accuses him of engaging in a “persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals,” which he allegedly used to satisfy his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his misconduct.
After the indictment was unsealed, Diddy and his defense attorneys offered to post a $50 million bond to be released from custody. But a judge denied his bail offer once Combs pleaded not guilty to three federal charges connected to alleged sex abuse, according to NBC News.
The indictment describes Combs as leading a criminal enterprise involved in a wide range of illegal activities, including sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. He is accused of repeatedly striking, punching, and dragging women, throwing objects at them, and enlisting personal assistants, security, and household staff to help cover up his actions.
Additionally, Combs is charged with coercing female victims and male sex workers into participating in drug-fueled sexual performances known as “Freak Offs,” which allegedly lasted for days. He reportedly arranged for the women’s travel, provided drugs, controlled their careers, and used intimidation and violence to ensure their participation.
The indictment details how Combs and his victims would receive IV fluids to recover from the physical and drug-related strains of these events. His employees were said to facilitate these “Freak Offs” by handling travel arrangements, booking hotels, stocking rooms with supplies like drugs and lubricants, scheduling IV fluid deliveries, and cleaning up afterward.
The indictment also alleges that Combs maintained videos of his victims engaging in sexual acts, which he reportedly used as “collateral” to safeguard himself and ensure their silence. Additionally, he is accused of exerting control over his victims by promising career opportunities, providing and threatening to withhold financial support, dictating their appearance, monitoring their health records, and controlling their living arrangements.
Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for the former Revolt TV CEO, said that the hip-hip icon relocated to New York in anticipation of the pending charges and will cooperate as authorities investigate the case.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo said in a statement. “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
How did Sean “Diddy” Combs transition from being a celebrated figure in hip-hop to facing multiple charges of sex trafficking and racketeering? Here is a timeline of the mounting allegations against the entertainment icon.
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