The U.S. prosecutors have accused Combs of masterminding a criminal conspiracy that spanned several years. The indictment was unveiled following the arrest of the 54-year-old music mogul in Manhattan by federal agents on Monday night. This arrest comes after a year of legal battles that have seen Combs' career take a significant hit, with multiple lawsuits accusing him of physical and sexual abuse.
As reported by One America News, Combs, who was a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene during the 90s and 2000s, is facing three criminal charges. These include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment at the decision to pursue what he termed an "unjust" prosecution of his client. Agnifilo did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the public release of the indictment.
WATCH: POLICE CATCH ILLEGALS SMUGGLED IN A STACK OF LUMBER
The 14-page indictment alleges that Combs transformed his business empire into a criminal enterprise, where he and his associates engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, and other crimes. It further states that Combs used threats and coercion to fulfill his sexual desires, and from around 2009, he assaulted women by "striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking them." Prosecutors claim that Combs provided women with drugs and financial support in return for their participation in sexual activities with male sex workers in "highly orchestrated performances."
WATCH: HURRICANE AFTERMATH - BIDEN AT THE BEACH AND KAMALA CHASING CELEBRITY MONEY
Combs is scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday. His indictment marks the most high-profile case of a music industry figure facing criminal charges for sexual misconduct since R&B singer R. Kelly. Kelly was sentenced to a combined 31 years in prison after being convicted in New York in 2021 and Chicago in 2022 on charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and child sex crimes.
SEE THE INSANE VIDEO: BIGGEST NASCAR CRASH IN HISTORY, 28 CARS DESTROYED
September 18, 2024
Combs, also known as P. Diddy and Puff Daddy, is the founder of Bad Boy records. He is credited with catapulting the careers of artists such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher. However, his reputation took a hit last November when his former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, accused him of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery, and rape during their decade-long relationship. Despite Combs denying her allegations, an undisclosed settlement was reached a day after the lawsuit was filed.
RESIGNATION CALLS GROW LOUDER: ADAMS AND HOCHUL'S AWKWARD REUNION AMID CORRUPTION SCANDAL
In the wake of these allegations, Combs has been hit with several other civil lawsuits by both women and men accusing him of sexual assault and other misconduct. His legal team has been battling these cases in court, and federal agents raided Combs' residences in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida, six months ago.
JEWISH VOTERS RETHINKING LOYALTY TO DEMOCRATS AS ANTISEMITISM RAGES ON...
Agnifilo, defending Combs, described him as a "music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist" who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He admitted that Combs is an "imperfect person," but insisted that he is not a criminal.
WATCH THIS A-HOLE! MICHAEL COHEN CLAIMS TRUMP HAS "SEAL TEAM SIX" ON SPEED DIAL IF ELECTED...
The indictment alleges that Combs used his power and fame to lure women into his orbit under the guise of romantic relationships, only to later use force and threats to coerce them into sexual activities with male sex workers while he watched and masturbated. These events, referred to as "Freak Offs" by Combs, could last for multiple days and were sometimes secretly filmed, according to prosecutors.
Combs is also facing civil lawsuits, including a case filed last week by singer Dawn Richard, formerly of Danity Kane, who accused him of sexual assault, battery, sex trafficking, gender discrimination, and fraud. Earlier this month, a Michigan judge ordered Combs to pay a $100 million default judgment to Derrick Lee Smith, who claimed that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party nearly 30 years ago. Combs' lawyer said he would seek a dismissal.
KAMALA’S SUPPORT TIED TO EPSTEIN SCANDAL? MUSK HINTS AT BILLIONAIRE FEAR OF TRUMP’S RETURN (WATCH!)
Combs has also denied allegations in a February sex trafficking lawsuit by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, who Combs employed as a producer on his 2023 release "The Love Album: Off the Grid."
This indictment is not Combs' first encounter with the law. In March 2001, he was acquitted of bribery and weapons charges in a criminal trial stemming from a nightclub shooting that left three people wounded.
