(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday in Manhattan following a grand jury indictment.
Combs was indicted on three counts of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors allege Combs used the resources of his music empire to create “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.”
He appeared in court Tuesday to hear the charges against him along with his attorney Marc Agnifilo.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo said in a statement Monday.
He called the hip-hop mogul an “imperfect person,” adding: “To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts.”
Prosecutors characterized Combs as having a pattern of abusing women and detailed allegations of assault, abuse and prostitution. They also accuse him as having used his employees to help him engage in these activities.
The indictment also says Combs will have to forfeit any and all assets acquired or maintained as a result of his alleged criminal acts, and that he forfeit any property and personal used to commit the crimes he is alleged to have participated in.
The rapper had been hit with several sexual misconduct and assault allegations spanning over 30 years. He has denied all allegations.
Two of the rapper’s properties were searched in a raid by federal investigators months ago as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation, according to NewsNation affiliate WPIX. Firearms and phones belonging to Combs were confiscated during that search.
Formerly known as “Puff Daddy,” Combs faced backlash after the lawsuits, but he was once considered one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the last three decades.
The founder of Bad Boy Records has worked with artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112, and also created a fashion clothing line and a music-focused TV channel.
Diddy allegations and lawsuits
The first lawsuit against Combs came in November 2023, when his ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura alleged in New York federal court that he beat, raped and abused her during their relationship. She was 19 when they began dating; he was 37.
A day later, the pair announced they’d settled the suit — but more allegations soon came to light.
In late November and early December 2023, Combs was accused of raping, sexually assaulting and attacking multiple women between the early 1990s and 2003.
A music producer, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, filed a lawsuit in February, alleging Combs sexually assaulted him and forced him to have sex with prostitutes.
Combs’ properties were then raided, and the investigation expanded in April. By July 4, 2024, Combs was hit with his 10th civil suit.
In September 2024, Combs was given massive $100 million default judgment after failing to dispute sexual assault allegations made in a lawsuit by a Michigan inmate.
Combs’ roles in his businesses beyond music — including lucrative private-label spirits, a media company and the Sean John Fashion line — took major hits when the allegations arose.
The consequences were even greater when the leaked beating video emerged. Howard University cut ties with him, and he returned his key to the city of New York at the request of the mayor.
NewsNation’s Cassie Buchman and Safia Samee Ali and The Associated Press contributed to this report.