Authorities detained Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York City on Monday night, according to ABC News's various sources.
The New York station WABC According to ABC News's various sources, federal agents detained Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York City on Monday night..jfif)
Marc Agnifilo, Combs's attorney, released a statement claiming his client had moved to New York in anticipation of the charges and that his client intended to clear his name in court.
We are dissatisfied with the U.S. Attorney's Office's decision to press charges against Mr. Combs, which we perceive as unfair. Sean "Diddy" Combs has spent the last three decades creating an empire, loving his family, and giving back to the Black community. He is a music star, self-made entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Even though he has his flaws, he has not committed a crime. Mr. Combs has been quite cooperative throughout this investigation, and he even moved to New York last week on his own will, as if to avoid these accusations. Do not pass judgement until you have collected all the necessary information. All of this is the work of a blameless individual who intends to clear his name in court.
A former porn star sued Combs in July, bringing fresh sex trafficking charges against him and another lady whom the star said was "Diddy" to him like Ghislaine Maxwell was to Jeffrey Epstein.
The performer known as Omunique, Adria English, disclosed that she "has lived her adult life with the memories of being trapped in a cycle of sex trafficking she never asked to be a part of and was chosen because Defendant Combs knew he could groom her."
At the very least, ten lawsuits claiming sex trafficking and bodily abuse had been brought against Combs.
As the business partner and producer of the late Notorious B.I.G., who tragically passed away in 1997 after a gunshot wound, Combs, then known as Puff Daddy, was a pivotal figure in the East Coast vs. West Coast hip-hop wars of the 1990s. But as he got older, his public persona mellowed into that of a refined host of Hamptons and Hollywood parties, a fashion-forward businessman, and a loving father who spoilt his children—some of whom had lost their mothers in 2018—just like many others who had survived the era.
However, a new picture started to emerge in November when R&B singer Cassie, who had been his protege and girlfriend, was one of several individuals who sued him for sexual abuse. The plaintiffs allege that he had a constant stream of sex workers in drug-fueled settings, and that some of them had been forced or coerced into having sexual relations with him.
Cassie claimed rape and beatings that spanned years in her complaint filed in November. Additionally, her lawsuit claimed that Combs was involved in sex trafficking because he "took her to various jurisdictions to engage in forced sexual acts" and because he "harboured and transported Plaintiff for purposes of sex induced by force, fraud, or coercion." Combs allegedly coerced Cassie into having sexual relations with men sex workers while he was filming them.
The next day, the lawsuit was resolved, but the effects would continue for a long time. In May, CNN released a leaked footage showed Combs striking Cassie, kicking her, and throwing her to the floor in a hotel hallway. This caused Combs to lose any remaining followers, allies, and people who were hesitant to pass judgement.
The next day, Combs released a video apology on social media, stating, "I was disgusted when I did it" and "I'm disgusted now." This was his first serious admission of guilt since the accusations started to pour in. In the months that followed Cassie's complaint, at least six more were filed.
A music producer sued Combs in February, claiming that the singer forced him to seek out prostitutes and even pressed him to engage in sexual relations with them.
A lady who said the rap producer sexually assaulted her twenty years ago, when she was seventeen years old, was another allegation against Combs.
April Lampos, another plaintiff in the case, said that she met Combs in 1994 while attending university, and that she had a string of "terrifying sexual encounters" with him and those around him that persisted for years.
The majority of the claims made against Combs and his lawyers in the litigation were dismissed.
Although the lawsuits were not explicitly mentioned by authorities as the catalyst for the criminal probe, Dyer stated after the warrants were served that the case was founded on "meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits."
Except in extreme cases like Cassie's and Lampros's, the AP usually stays out of the names of victims of sexual abuse.
Among the most consequential hip-hop executives and producers of the last 30 years, Combs rose to prominence as Bad Boy Records' founder. Notable musicians he collaborated with include the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans, and 112.
The accusations had a devastating effect on Combs' non-musical endeavours, such as his media firm, Sean John Fashion line, profitable private-label spirits, and music career.
The release of the beating video just made the situation worse. In response to the mayor's request, he gave back his key to New York City, and Howard University severed relations with him.