Takeaways from the racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking indictment against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
CNN
The first paragraph of the three-count federal indictment against the music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs lays out in an overarching summary the serious and sprawling allegations against him.
The first paragraph of the three-count federal indictment against the music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs lays out in an overarching summary the serious and sprawling allegations against him. “For decades, Sean Combs, aka ‘Puff Daddy,’ aka ‘P. Diddy,’ aka ‘Diddy,’ aka ‘PD,’ aka ‘Love,’ the defendant, abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” the indictment states. “To do so, Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled – creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.” The indictment from the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York charges Combs with three counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to life in prison. Combs, 54, pleaded not guilty to the charges in court Tuesday afternoon. He was denied bail and will remain in federal detention, a federal judge ruled. Judge Robyn Tarnofsky told Combs there were no conditions she could find to assure her that he will appear in court. “My concern is this is a crime that happens behind closed doors even when pre-trial services is monitoring,” Tarnofsky said. In particular, the indictment accuses Combs of leading a “criminal enterprise” with other associates and employees, alleges he hosted drug-fueled “Freak Offs” with victims and sex workers, notes instances of physical and sexual abuse, and illuminates what law enforcement found in the March raids of his homes.
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