The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Sean “Diddy” Combs ran a decades-long criminal enterprise that aided him in egregiously abusing women through sex crimes, physical violence and emotional manipulation, federal prosecutors said in a three-count criminal indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
The rapper, who has been accused of rape and sexual abuse in at least nine civil lawsuits this past year, was arrested in New York Monday night and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Tuesday morning, he appeared in Manhattan federal court to plead not guilty to the charges.
“For decades, Sean Combs… abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” federal prosecutors said in the indictment.
In a 14-page indictment, prosecutors allege Combs coerced and drugged women to participate in recorded “highly orchestrated performances” of sexual activity – which he called “Freak Offs” – that would sometimes last days and often included male commercial sex workers.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the music mogul and rapper, appeared in Manahttan federal court on Tuesday after being indictment on sex trafficking and racketeering charges (REUTERS)
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, denied any allegations of wrongdoing claiming his client is “an innocent man with nothing to hide.”
“Mr. Combs is a fighter, he’s going to fight this to the end,” Agnifilo said outside of the federal courthouse on Tuesday afternoon.
Once a highly respected musician and businessman who helped launch the careers of Mary J. Blige, Usher and Notorious B.I.G, the accusations against Combs depict the image of a tyrant with little to no regard for those around him.
The music mogul allegedly used his power and influence to attract women into his orbit with promises of career success or financial support and then become controlling over their lives – dictating everything from their housing to medical records.
Prosecutors say he used drugs, such as ecstasy, to make victims compliant with his desires and then directed “freak offs” which were recorded – sometimes unknowingly to the victim – and later used for Combs’ pleasure.
When women refused to participate in “freak offs” or attempted to flee, Combs became “violent”, U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said in a press conference.
The scathing indictment accuses Combs of using intense physical force on his victims, sometimes throwing objects in their direction and occasionally dragging them by the hair.
He allegedly used intimidation tactics such as brandishing an AR-15, threatening victims with financial consequences, claiming he would use embarrassing or incriminating footage in the “Freak Offs” against them and other methods to force women into doing what he wanted.
“The defendant is dangerous,” federal prosecutors said in a letter to Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky, requesting he remain jailed until his trial.
Outlining extensive examples of his alleged abuse, prosecutors said in the letter that Combs posed a threat to the community and was likely to obstruct justice – which they allege he tried to do upon learning he was under federal investigation.
Judge Tarnofsky ordered Combs to jail, denying his request for bail.
Prosecutors say he used drugs, such as ecstasy, to make victims compliant with his desires and then directed “freak offs” which were recorded – sometimes unknowingly to the victim – and later used for Combs’ pleasure (Getty)
Although Combs is the only one charged in the indictment, he wasn’t the only one to engage in the abusive behavior.
Combs’ “enterprise” included personal assistants, security staff, household staff and high-ranking supervisors. They all allegedly lured women to music mogul and were complicit in his abuse.
Prosecutors say they assisted in proing materials for “freak offs” that took place in hotels, such as bottles of baby oil and lubricants, drugs, lighting, sheets and more.
Federal agents discovered more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants in Combs’ Miami home last year while conducting a raid. They also discovered three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and electronic devices that contained photos and s of “freak offs.”
U.S. Attorney Williams said the investigation is ongoing and indicated others could be charged in connection or further charges could be brought against Combs.
