Sean "Diddy" Combs appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom Monday as jury selection began in a sweeping sex trafficking and racketeering case that could land the music mogul in prison for life. The 55-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records is facing five federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.
Combs, who has been held in custody since his arrest by Homeland Security agents in September 2024, pleaded not guilty to all charges. He previously declined a plea deal offered by prosecutors, the terms of which were not publicly disclosed.
Federal prosecutors allege that Combs led a decades-long "criminal enterprise" that engaged in a variety of crimes, including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, and obstruction of justice. According to the September indictment, Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced" victims into participating in orchestrated sex sessions, referred to as "Freak Offs," with the assistance of his staff and business associates.
The indictment claims these events were "elaborate and produced sex performances" that Combs often "arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded." Prosecutors further allege the sex parties involved transporting commercial sex workers across state and international lines, frequently lasted several days, and included the use of controlled substances to keep participants "obedient and compliant."
Prosecutors say Combs used promises of career advancement and threats of violence to control victims, at times keeping recordings as leverage. Materials such as baby oil, drugs, and extra linens were allegedly stocked at hotel rooms for the events. Afterward, IV fluids were reportedly administered to victims to help them recover from the "physical exertion and drug use."
Cassie Ventura, Combs' former partner and a singer signed to his label, is expected to be one of the prosecution's key witnesses. Ventura filed a lawsuit in 2023 accusing Combs of rape and abuse. Although that case was settled a day after it was filed, video evidence later surfaced showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. The footage, published by CNN in 2024, will be admitted as evidence, following a ruling by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
"There's already a lot of negative publicity out there and that one (Cassie Ventura) video doesn't look pretty," said criminal defense attorney Arthur Aidala, who is not representing Combs but is involved in the Harvey Weinstein retrial, as reported by The New York Post. "So you know this case is going off with like at least one strike against [Diddy] if not a strike and a half out of three."
Combs' defense team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, argues that all sexual encounters were consensual and part of a "swingers" lifestyle. "There's a lifestyle, call it swingers or whatever you will, that he thought was appropriate because it was common," Agnifilo stated in court on April 25.
Defense attorney Joel Denaro, who is not involved in the case, told The Post, "He wants to show that he is not the head of a RICO [crime] organization but instead is Diddy, the superstar rapper." Denaro suggested Combs might testify to humanize himself before the jury. "He is sexually extroverted, but he is not a sex trafficker," Denaro added.
Judge Subramanian also ruled that several accusers, including Cassie, may testify using pseudonyms. Prosecutors have lined up at least three other alleged victims who will also take the stand.
The trial does not include the 63 separate civil lawsuits filed against Combs since February 2024, which include allegations ranging from drugging and rape to gang assaults. While those suits are not part of the federal charges, some details may be referenced during the trial. One recent lawsuit filed by a male accuser in April alleges that Combs coerced him into sex during a commercial shoot. The allegations span from encounters at Fashion Week to music video sets and reality TV.
Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided last May as part of the federal investigation. Prosecutors say agents recovered over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant believed to have been used in the "Freak Off" sessions.
Opening statements in the trial are scheduled to begin May 12.
