About six months after federal authorities executed multiple raids at Sean “Diddy”Combs’ properties in Miami and Los Angeles due to suspicions related to “sex trafficking”allegations, the rapper was arrested in Manhattan following a grand jury indictment.
On the night of Monday, September 16, 2024, Sean Combs was apprehended on charges of “federal sex trafficking and racketeering,” the details of which were unsealed on September 17, according to reports by the Associated Press. The indictment against Diddy includes several accusations of “sexual crimes,”with some allegations dating back to 2008.
The indictment further alleges that Diddy orchestrated “coerced”sexual performances branded as “Freak Offs”and labels him as the “head of a criminal enterprise,”involved in various crimes and offenses including forced labor, human trafficking, drug-related crimes, kidnapping, bribery, extortion, and obstruction of justice.
During the earlier raids at his Bad Boy mansions, law enforcement purportedly confiscated numerous illegal and suspicious items, including narcotics, over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants, explicit videos, ammunition, and firearms with defaced serial numbers.
If convicted on all charges outlined in the 14-page indictment, Sean “Diddy”Combs may face a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence.
Timeline of Allegations Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Their Aftermath
With the announcement of an upcoming Discovery docuseries chronicling the “Rise & Fall of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs,”every allegation, rumor, and claimed interaction related to the rapper’s ongoing trial is receiving extensive media coverage.
Combs has dedicated much of the past two decades to building a substantial music empire through Bad Boy Records and various other enterprises, becoming one of the few rappers in contemporary hip-hop to be recognized on Forbes’ list of billionaires.
However, Diddy’s reputation suffered a steep decline following Cassie Ventura’s explosive “Bombshell Lawsuit,”which accused the acclaimed record producer of “years of sexual misconduct and abuse”during their relationship. Below is a detailed timeline of events leading up to Sean Combs’ arrest on September 16, 2024.
01. Cassie Ventura Files Lawsuit Against Diddy
On November 16, 2023, Cassie Ventura filed a substantial lawsuit against Sean Combs, marking the continuation of their intimate public relationship that began in 2007 and ended in 2018. This legal action followed closely after the rapper received the Global Icon Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.
In her lawsuit, Ventura accused him of enduring years of physical and psychological abuse, including a specific allegation of rape, during their relationship.
According to the complaint, the singer, known for “Me & U,”highlighted an incident in 2018 when she attempted to distance herself from Diddy, leading him to allegedly break into her house and sexually assault her.
02. Sean and Cassie Settle the Lawsuit
Just a day after the lawsuit was filed, on November 17, Sean and Cassie reportedly came to a “settlement deal,”with terms remaining confidential, for an undisclosed sum.
“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans, and lawyers for their unwavering support.”- Cassie’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, issued this statement.
03. Two More Lawsuits Filed Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
On November 23, 2023, just before the expiration of New York State’s Adult Survivors Act, Sean Combs faced two additional lawsuits containing charges of “sexual assault.”
One of these lawsuits was filed by an anonymous individual, while the other was lodged by Joi Dickerson-Neal, who accused Diddy of “drugging”and “assaulting”her in 1991 when she was in college. The lawsuit claims that Diddy allegedly recorded and shared explicit film footage of Neal with others in the music industry.
04. Sean Combs Resigns as Revolt’s Chairman
Amid receiving three lawsuits alleging acts of violence and sexual assault, Sean Combs chose to resign from his position as chairman of Revolt, a multi-platform media company he founded in October 2013.
“While Mr. Combs has previously had no operational or day-to-day role in the business, this decision helps ensure that Revolt remains firmly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people across this nation and the African diaspora.”- Revolt’s public statement.
The rapper subsequently sold all his shares in Revolt TV to an undisclosed buyer in March 2024. Billboard reported that sources confirmed that Revolt will continue to be a “Black-owned”organization.
05. Diddy Addresses Allegations After Fourth Lawsuit Filed
On December 06, 2023, Sean Combs received a fourth lawsuit from an unnamed woman, who alleged she was sexually trafficked and gang-raped in 2003 when she was only 17 years old.
The complaint stated that Sean, alongside former Bad Boy Records president Harve Pierre and another individual, had forced her into sexual performances while she was still a minor.
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Diddy responded to the mounting criticism and numerous lawsuits filed against him, claiming these allegations were targeted attacks on his character and legacy. He stressed:
“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people attempt to assassinate my character and destroy my reputation. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals seeking quick financial gain. Let me be clear: I did not commit any of the despicable acts being claimed. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”
06. Hulu Cancels Diddy Reality Show and Ends All Ties with the Mogul
Following the fourth lawsuit, on December 10, 2023, eighteen companies chose to sever their professional relationships with Diddy and his e-commerce brand, Empower Global.
“While this decision was difficult considering the respect we once held for Mr. Combs as a leader in business and entertainment, it was undoubtedly the correct choice.”- Lenard Grier, co-founder of No One Clothiers said.
Days later, sources from Hulu confirmed to Billboard that the planned reality show, titled “Diddy+7,”which aimed to showcase Diddy’s daily life and that of his family, had been scrapped and was no longer in production.
07. Producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr. Files Lawsuit Against Sean Combs
On February 26, 2024, producer Rodney Jones Jr., also known as Lil Rod, filed a lawsuit against Diddy accusing the mogul of sexual misconduct, assault, and harassment.
Jones claims Diddy “groped and touched”him and outlined instances of alleged grooming and sexual coercion. He also reported being drugged in 2023, waking up “naked, dizzy, and confused”in Combs’ Miami mansion beside the rapper and two escorts.
Diddy’s attorney Shawn Holley refuted the claims in Jones’ lawsuit, stating:
“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete fabrications. We will address these ludicrous allegations in court and take appropriate action against those who make them.”
08. Sean Combs’ L.A. and Miami Mansions Raided
Nearly one month later, on March 25, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations in New York executed search warrants at Sean Combs’ residences in Los Angeles and Miami.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with support from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and local law enforcement partners. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.”- Statement from the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal agents reportedly raided the mogul’s residences “in connection”with an ongoing sex trafficking investigation and other criminal allegations stemming from his lawsuits, with prosecutors from the Southern District of New York leading the inquiry.
Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, publicly condemned the raids, describing them as a “gross overuse of military-level force”and vowed to terminate what he deemed a “witch hunt”against his client.
“This unprecedented ambush, coupled with a well-coordinated media presence, leads to premature judgments about Mr. Combs, representing nothing more than a witch hunt based on unfounded accusations made in civil lawsuits.”- Aaron Dyer stated.
09. Sean Combs Seeks to Dismiss “Rape Claim”
Two months later, Sean requested a federal judge to dismiss the fourth lawsuit filed by the unnamed woman who alleged that several people from the Bad Boy Record label had been involved in her trafficking and gang rape while she was underage.
This proposal, made on May 10, aims for the case to be “dismissed now, with prejudice”to prevent any further “reputational harm”to the music mogul.
“Mr. Combs and his companies categorically deny Plaintiff’s decades-old tale against them… Plaintiff cannot recall what day or time of year the alleged incident took place but conveniently remembers other salacious details, despite claiming to have been incapacitated.”- Court filing excerpt.
10. “Hotel Assault”Video Surfaces on Social Media
On May 17, 2024, CNN reported obtaining CCTV footage showing Diddy physically assaulting Cassie Ventura during a hotel stay in 2016. The clip shows Combs, clad only in a white towel, chasing Ventura before pushing her to the ground and kicking her multiple times.
The incident in the 2016 footage closely aligns with the allegations outlined in Ventura’s now-settled November lawsuit. This was confirmed by her attorney Douglas Wigdor in a public statement to Billboard:
“The disturbing video underscores the predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. It is hard to express the courage Ms. Ventura has shown in bringing this to light.”
After the “Hotel Assault”video gained traction on social media, Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, took to Instagram to express his outrage, stating, “Men who hit women aren’t men,”and supporting victims of domestic abuse. He also included the hotline number for domestic violence victims, “(800) 799-7233,”in his post caption.
“Men who enable it and shield those responsible aren’t men. As men, violence against women shouldn’t be normalized. We must hold each other accountable. To all the women and children, I’m sorry you live in a world where you feel unsafe and unequal.”- Alex Fine’s message read.
11. Combs Issues Public Apology for “Hotel Assault”Video
The same day the “Hotel Assault”video circulated online, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office released a public statement on Instagram:
“We find the images extremely disturbing and challenging to view. If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately, we could not bring charges as it lies beyond the timeline for prosecutable assaults.”
Two days later, on May 19, Sean Combs issued a self-filmed 70-second apology video addressing his actions in the “Hotel Assault”footage.
“It’s difficult to reflect on the darkest parts of your life, but sometimes, you have to do that. I hit rock bottom. I make no excuses for my behavior in that video, and I accept full responsibility for my actions. I am disgusted. I was horrified at the time and am horrified now.”- Sean Combs admitted.
12. NYC Mayor Contemplates Revoking Diddy’s “Key To The City”
A day after Diddy’s now-deleted apology video was shared, on May 20, NYC Mayor Eric Adams confirmed his intention to withdraw the music mogul’s “Key To The City.”
Adams announced during a PIX11 interview that discussions were underway regarding the process to rescind the Key awarded to Sean Combs in September 2023. The accumulation of lawsuits and the emergence of the 2016 assault video prompted the Mayor to state:
“We were all deeply disturbed watching that harrowing video of the young lady being assaulted, and our team has never revoked a key before, but we are now considering the next steps forward.”
13. Crystal McKinney Files a Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Diddy
On May 21, 2024, former model Crystal McKinney filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Sean Combs, alleging that in 2003, the Bad Boy CEO coerced her into performing sexual acts in a New York City recording studio bathroom.
McKinney’s complaint includes allegations of being served laced alcohol and marijuana, claiming she “awoke in shock,”seated in a cab leaving the studio after the alleged incident.
The lawsuit names Bad Boy Records, Universal Music Group, and Sean John Clothing as defendants, contending that these entities were aware of the risk posed by Combs and allowed him to maintain a “position of power.”
14. Cassie Ventura Releases Public Statement
Nearly a week after the “Hotel Assault”video gained notoriety online, Cassie Ventura published her first public statement on Instagram, having previously only addressed the allegations and lawsuits through her attorneys.
“Thank you for all the love and support from my family, friends, strangers, and those who have yet to meet. Your affections have created a space for my younger self to feel secure now, but this is only the beginning. Domestic Violence is a critical issue. It dismantled me into someone I never thought I would be.”- Cassie Ventura expressed.
15. Diddy Arrested in Manhattan
On September 16, 2024, Sean “Diddy”Combs’ arrest in Manhattan was confirmed by one of the mogul’s lawyers, Marc Agnifilo. The attorney indicated to various media outlets, including CNN and NBC News, that the rapper was in custody, stating:
“To his credit, Mr. Combs has been entirely cooperative with this investigation and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please withhold your judgment until all facts are available. These are the actions of an innocent man with nothing to conceal, and he looks forward to vindicating himself in court.”
Although the details of the grand jury’s indictment were initially protected, federal prosecutors revealed the filing the day following Diddy’s arrest.
The unsealed document indicates that Sean Combs is charged with orchestrating a racketeering conspiracy, which encompasses other crimes such as assault, trafficking, abuse, bribery, and more.
“For decades, Sean Combs has abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to satisfy his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and hide his actions. To accomplish this, Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multifaceted business empire he controlled.”- The court documents obtained by Billboard.
Following the unsealing of Diddy’s indictment on September 17, a magistrate judge denied the rapper bail, classifying the Bad Boy CEO as a “potential flight risk”and confirming that Sean Combs will remain incarcerated until his trial.
16. Diddy Denied Bail Again
Yesterday (September 18), Diddy was denied bail again after his case was presented to federal Judge Andrew L. Carter at a hearing in Manhattan Federal Court.
Sean’s legal team sought to have the music mogul confined to house arrest in his Miami mansion while awaiting trial, proposing a $50 million bond and agreeing to adhere to strict conditions.
Judge Andrew L. Carter rejected their request, mandating that Sean Combs remain at a Brooklyn federal prison, expressing concerns that the high-profile executive could endanger witnesses and hinder the government’s case.
As previously reported, Discovery is collaborating on a docuseries that will detail Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ rise to fame, as well as the methods and alleged abuse of power employed by the rap mogul.
The series is expected to feature archival footage, commentary, and testimonies from those who have accused the record producer over the past year. Source
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