Sean 'Diddy' Combs Accused of Forced Labor in Superseding Indictment
In a bolstered version of an indictment, prosecutors accuse Sean 'Diddy' Combs of obligating employees, one of whom he forced to have sex with him, to work long hours under the threat of physical, financial and reputational harm.
The indictment, issued on Thursday, doesn't contain new charges or victims but instead expands upon allegations over the method of the alleged enterprise through which he assaulted and trafficked women with the help of his various businesses.
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In a statement, Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, denied the allegations. 'He looks forward to his day in court when it will become clear that he has never forced anyone to engage in sexual acts against their will,' he said. 'Many former employees stand by his side, prepared to attest to the dedication, hard work, and inspiration they experienced while helping build groundbreaking, award-winning businesses.'
The revised indictment represents an attempt by prosecutors to strengthen their case by detailing new accusations in the alleged racketeering conspiracy. It adds to another superseding indictment issued against Combs in January that specified that there were three victims that the rap mogul allegedly forced to engage in commercial sex acts. The charges involve claims that he arranged forced sexual encounters with women, allegedly manipulating them into participating in 'highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers,' who were often flown in across state lines and internationally.
According to the new indictment, Combs maintained control over workers at his various businesses. He 'caused these employees to believe they would be harmed — including by losing their jobs — if they did not comply with his demands.'
The indictment adds, 'With respect to one employee, Combs used physical force, psychological harm, financial harm, and reputational harm, and/or threats of the same to cause the employee to engage in sex acts' with him.
Combs will be arraigned on the new charges next week. He remains in custody at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, with his trial scheduled to start May 5.
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