Federal prosecutors on Thursday described Sean "Diddy" Combs as the orchestrator of a sprawling criminal enterprise that spanned over two decades, leveraging his fame, fortune, and influence to commit acts of violence, coercion, and sexual exploitation. The accusations came during closing arguments in Combs's high-profile racketeering and sex trafficking trial, marking the final phase before jurors begin deliberations.
"Over the last several weeks, you've learned a lot about Sean Combs," Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told the jury. "He's the leader of a criminal enterprise. He doesn't take no for an answer. And now you know about many crimes he committed with members of his enterprise."
Combs, 54, was arrested last September in New York and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. The Bad Boy Records founder declined to testify in his own defense, and his legal team rested its case without calling any witnesses, relying instead on exhibits and their cross-examinations of the government's 34 witnesses over seven weeks of testimony.
Slavik detailed a series of alleged crimes committed under what she called Combs's "kingdom," which included forced labor, drug distribution, kidnapping, arson, and witness tampering. She said the music mogul used a "small army" of employees to "get what he wanted" and conceal his actions. "The defendant used power, violence and fear," Slavik said. "He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law."
The government claims Combs directed employees and close associates to carry out crimes that furthered the enterprise's objectives. Jurors were shown photos of key figures in Combs's inner circle and presentation slides listing alleged criminal acts and controlled substances including cocaine, meth, ketamine, Oxycodone, and MDMA. One slide linked Combs to events where women were allegedly drugged and coerced into performing sex acts with male escorts in what insiders described as "freak-offs."
Prosecutors allege Combs used physical violence and psychological pressure to force women, including ex-girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and another witness known as "Jane," into degrading sexual encounters. Slavik said Combs's assistants and bodyguards were complicit, helping to carry out and cover up abuse, including locking a woman in a hotel room after Combs stomped on her face.
"The concept is simple," Slavik explained. "The law recognizes that when someone commits a crime as part of a group, what the law calls an 'enterprise', they're more powerful and more dangerous."
Defense attorneys have countered that while Combs has acknowledged past domestic violence, there is no evidence of a racketeering conspiracy. They argued that the alleged sexual encounters were consensual and part of a "swingers lifestyle," and said none of Combs's employees entered into any criminal agreement.
Judge Arun Subramanian informed the jury that the defense would deliver its closing arguments Friday, followed by a prosecution rebuttal. Jury instructions are expected later that day, with deliberations likely to begin by the afternoon.
