Sean (Diddy) Combs pleads not guilty to new indictment regarding working conditions
Sean (Diddy) Combs appeared in court on Friday to enter a not guilty plea to a new indictment that included additional accusations of forcing employees to work long hours and threatening repercussions for those who did not participate in his alleged two-decade sex trafficking scheme. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, known for his work in the music industry and founding Bad Boy Entertainment, maintained his innocence as he faced charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
As Combs stood before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court, his family members observed from the courtroom audience. Sporting grey hair, a grey beard, and a baggy, tan jail outfit, Combs blew kisses to his loved ones before being led out of the courtroom. Despite the new indictment not adding any new charges, it detailed the “forced labor” that prosecutors claimed Combs demanded from his employees in connection with the alleged 20-year racketeering conspiracy. Allegations included controlling employees through threats of physical harm, financial harm, psychological harm, and reputational harm.
Combs’s defence lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, maintained that his client never forced anyone to engage in sexual acts against their will. The prosecution alleged that Combs used his business empire to sexually abuse women between 2004 and 2024, including orchestrating recorded sexual performances called “freak-offs” with male sex workers. These activities reportedly involved transporting individuals across state lines. Agnifilo contended that the freak-offs were consensual sexual activities.
In addition to his criminal case, Combs faces numerous civil lawsuits from individuals accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct. He has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. The high-profile nature of the case has raised concerns about jury selection, with potential challenges in finding an impartial jury due to Combs’s fame and extensive media coverage.
The court proceedings also touched on a contentious piece of evidence – a hotel surveillance video showing Combs allegedly striking and dragging his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura (known as Cassie). The defence disputed the video’s accuracy, claiming it was misleading and deceptive. The prosecution sought to introduce the video at trial, but the defence raised objections regarding its authenticity and sequence.
Despite the legal challenges and media scrutiny, Combs remains a prominent figure in the music industry, having launched the careers of various artists in the 1990s and 2000s. His reputation has been tarnished by the ongoing legal battle, stemming from a federal investigation into sex trafficking allegations that led to his arrest in September 2024.
As the trial date approaches, the courtroom drama surrounding Sean (Diddy) Combs continues to unfold, highlighting the complexities of celebrity, power, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
