Sean ‘Diddy' Combs Hit With Revised Sex Trafficking Indictment
Federal prosecutors have issued a bolstered version of an indictment accusing Sean 'Diddy' Combs of directing a vast criminal enterprise through which he assaulted and trafficked women with the help of his various businesses.
The revised indictment, issued in federal court in New York on Thursday, represents an attempt by prosecutors to strengthen their case by detailing new allegations in the alleged racketeering conspiracy, including by specifying that there were three victims that the rap mogul allegedly forced to engage in commercial sex acts. It doesn't contain any additional charges.
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In a statement, Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, said the filing has 'no new offenses' and that the prosecution's central theory of the case 'remains flawed.' Of the new victims alleged in the indictment, he added, 'The government has added the ridiculous theory that two of Mr. Combs' former girlfriends were not girlfriends at all but were prostitutes.'
A representative for Combs didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The filing adds to an indictment issued against Combs in September charging him with sex trafficking and racketeering for, in part, assaulting and arranging forced sexual encounters with women. For decades, Combs 'abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,' the indictment stated. The sex trafficking allegations revolve around claims that he 'manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers,' who were often flown in across state lines and internationally.
Among the new allegations in the complaint are that Combs paid hotel security staff $100,000 for surveillance footage of his alleged March 2016 assault of a woman, who later came forward as ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
'When Combs' authority or reputation was threatened by the possibility of negative publicity or legal or law enforcement action against him,' the indictment states, he and his associates 'pressured witnesses and victims, including through attempted bribery, to stay silent and not report what they experienced or knew to law enforcement.' Prosecutors add that Combs 'provided these victims and witnesses with a false narrative of events in an effort to conceal' his crimes.
Prosecutors also unveiled an additional component to the alleged criminal enterprise involving an unspecified kidnapping.
Notably, the new indictment claims that the criminal enterprise started in 2004 and not 2008, as alleged when Combs was initially charged. It also says that psychedelic mushrooms and meth were involved in his alleged crimes.
In a letter to the court after prosecutors issued the superseding indictment, Combs' legal team noted that the government has indicated that its investigation remains 'active and ongoing,' which could lead to additional charges.
Combs' trial is set to start in May. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Caitlin Huston contributed to this report.
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