Sean "Diddy" Combs faces new allegations of forced labor and sexual coercion in a second superseding indictment unsealed Thursday in the Southern District of New York. Federal prosecutors claim Combs used physical violence, financial threats, and reputational harm to maintain control over his employees, including forcing at least one to engage in sexual acts with him.
Combs, 55, was originally arrested in September 2024 and has been held without bail at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center while awaiting trial on racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges. The updated indictment does not introduce new charges but expands on previous allegations, asserting that Combs and his associates "maintained control over certain employees" by depriving them of sleep, using intimidation tactics, and threatening their livelihoods.
The indictment states, "Combs used physical force, psychological harm, financial harm, and reputational harm, and/or threats of the same to cause the employee to engage in sex acts with Combs." Employees allegedly feared that refusing his demands would cost them their jobs or expose them to personal harm.
Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, denied the allegations, stating, "Mr. Combs has said it before and will say it again: he vehemently denies the accusations made by the SDNY. He looks forward to his day in court when it will become clear that he has never forced anyone to engage in sexual acts against their will."
Prosecutors have described elaborate and coerced sexual performances, which they labeled "freak offs", as part of the case against the hip-hop mogul. The indictment alleges that Combs' employees, including security staff and personal assistants, facilitated these events, which reportedly involved drugs such as cocaine, oxycodone, and ketamine.
The additional forced labor allegations build upon prior claims that Combs transported prostitutes across state lines and coerced women into participating in these encounters. While the new indictment expands the scope of the case, prosecutors do not expect it to impact the trial schedule, which remains set for May 5.
Combs has been denied bail three times, with prosecutors arguing that his financial resources, global connections, and history of witness intimidation make him a flight risk.
New York prosecutors have framed the case as one of systematic abuse and coercion, extending beyond sex trafficking to include the manipulation and control of employees. Combs, who built an empire spanning music, fashion, and liquor brands, has now seen his businesses and public standing collapse under the weight of these allegations.
His legal team maintains that he has been unfairly targeted, with Agnifilo stating, "Many former employees stand by his side, prepared to attest to the dedication, hard work, and inspiration they experienced while helping build groundbreaking, award-winning businesses."
Combs is scheduled to be arraigned on March 14, when he will formally respond to the new allegations.
