What to know about the Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrest, lawsuits, raids (original) (raw)

Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul, was arrested Monday in New York amid a federal sex trafficking probe, officials told The Times. Federal prosecutors have charged him with three counts of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The charges, which he denies, mark a stunning fall from grace for the global superstar. The indictment caps years of allegations against the mogul made by women that have tarnished his image.

Among the charges are allegations that Combs used force, threats of force, coercion and controlled substances to get women to engage in sex acts with male sex workers. Combs referred to these incidents as “Freak Offs,” elaborately produced sex performances that the mogul allegedly arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded, according to the indictment.

Combs, who rose to fame as a rapper, producer and record label founder, is also facing multiple lawsuits alleging sexual assault and harassment.

Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by the Department of Homeland Security on March 25.

Combs’ lawyer, Aaron Dyer, described the execution of the Homeland Security investigation as an “excessive show of force” in a statement to The Times.

Dyer called it an “unprecedented ambush” and a “witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”

Four women filed lawsuits against Combs in November and December 2023 that accused him of of sexual and physical abuse. The suit brought by recording artist Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ former longtime girlfriend, was settled one day after she accused him of rape and abuse.

Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, who produced multiple songs on Diddy’s 2023 LP, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” filed a lawsuit in February alleging assault and misconduct in granular detail. The suit also names several prominent artists and music executives. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. was added as a co-defendant in late March.

Follow our coverage here for developing details.