Famous rapper and business mogul, Sean Combs, more popularly known as Diddy was on Monday, September 16 arrested for alleged sexual assault and human trafficking at the Park Hyatt Hotel on 57th Street, Manhattan, New York.
He is a multi-grammy award winner, business mogul and CEO of Bad Boy record label.
Combs was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations around 8:15 p.m on Monday, September 16.
The arrest was carried out in pursuant to an indictment made public on Monday, September 16 in the morning, according to a statement from Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
“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,” Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs said.
His lawyer stated that the musician has been cooperating with the investigation that resulted in the indictment and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.
His team maintains his innocence, and says he has nothing to hide.
“Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children and working to uplift the Black community.
“He is an imperfect person but is not a criminal,” Agnifilo added.
Agnifilo further said, “please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts.
“These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
The rapper came under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations earlier this year for sex trafficking leading to dramatic searches of his Los Angeles and Miami residences in March.
After the home raids, a law enforcement source said that the federal investigation is linked to multiple sexual assault allegations from various civil lawsuits against the producer.
The investigation is broader, encompassing sex trafficking, money laundering and illegal drug activities.
The rapper has faced ten lawsuits in November last year with nine of them directly alleging sexual assault.
Several of these accusers have been interviewed by federal investigators as part of the extensive probe.
Federal investigators were preparing to present Combs’ accusers to a grand jury for testimony in May.
This marked a significant escalation in the investigation indicating that the Justice Department might be moving towards seeking an indictment against the rapper and businessman.
Combs has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the various lawsuits.
An attorney representing three of his accusers : Lil Rod, April Lampros and Grace O’Marcaig, described the arrest as long-awaited.
While the specific evidence and allegations leading to Combs’ arrest are not yet clear, he is facing numerous civil lawsuits filed over the past year nearly all of which include claims of sexual assault.
Just last week, Dawn Richard, a former member of the musical group Danity Kane filed a lawsuit in New York accusing the producer of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment among other charges.
In the lawsuit, Richard also claimed she saw Combs brutally beat his then girlfriend Cassie Ventura who had filed and swiftly settled her own lawsuit against him in November 2023.
Erica Wolff one of Combs’ attorneys, refuted Richard’s claims in a statement, suggesting that Richard might have a financial incentive.
Aubrey O’Day, another former member of Danity Kane commented on the rapper’s arrest in a post on X Monday night.
“The purpose of Justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter.
“Women never get this.
“I feel validated.
“Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me.
“Things are finally changing,” O’Day wrote.
Like Ventura, Danity Kane was also represented by Combs’ Bad Boy label.
Combs has consistently denied Ventura’s allegations which include claims of rape and years of physical and other abuse.
Since the raids on his Los Angeles and Miami homes in March which followed a lawsuit filed against him by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, the music mogul has faced increased public scrutiny.
Jones, a former videographer and producer for the rapper alleges sexual assault, sexual harassment and “grooming” by Combs.
He also claims to possess video and audio recordings of Combs and his staff involved in serious illegal activities, according to a complaint filed in federal court in New York.
Among other allegations, Jones asserts that the rapper compelled him to obtain and engage with sex workers, threatened him and provided house party guests with alcoholic drinks that were spiked with drugs.
Shawn Holley, the rapper’s attorney, dismissed the allegations labeling Jones as “a liar.”
“His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.
“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies,” Holley said.
One of the ten lawsuits against the music mogul names him as a defendant but includes allegations of sexual assault by his son Christian Combs, brought by a woman who was employed as a yacht crew member.
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