Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has entered a not guilty plea to five criminal charges. This includes two new charges related to sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution. The superseding indictment, filed April 3, paints a disturbing portrait of the music mogul. It charges him with operating a RICO criminal enterprise from 2004-2014. Yet Combs’ legal team has outmatched all the same. They’ve brought on attorney Brian Steel, who rose to national fame recently for representing rapper Young Thug in a high-profile RICO case in Georgia.
This most recent case against Diddy made quite a splash, not only for the severity but for the nature of the accusations. Workers have shared stories about being intimidated into grinding out months of 80–100 hour weeks. This comes in a backdrop of ugly sexual misconduct and coercion allegations. Prosecutors allege that through his established business underworld, Combs built a criminal enterprise.
Overview of Charges
With this new charge, Diddy now faces a combined five charges. This includes three counts – one for each defendant – from the original superseding indictment prosecutors filed. The original charges were racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking through force, fraud or coercion. When it comes to engaging in prostitution, they imply transportation across state lines. The new indictment amends the previous sex trafficking counts charged against Kelly, increasing the heaviness of the case to extreme heights.
In fact, prosecutors have accused Diddy of leaning on his employees and acquaintances to help further this so-called enterprise. In addition to racketeering, they allege that he committed multiple criminal acts of trafficking, coercion, kidnapping, and bribery. The accusations are voluminous and describe in damning detail the mechanics of his corruption.
“Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled—creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice,” – prosecutors
New Victims Identified
In support of the revised indictment, two additional victims, referred to as Victim-2 and Victim-3, have emerged. Their addition opens up the investigation to many more subjects. This begs the question of whether there may be additional victims or witnesses. The timeline of alleged offences spans nearly 20 years, highlighting the rampant length of time Combs is accused of viciously attacking women.
Diddy is charged with serious causes of action, including sex trafficking. He is alleged to have threatened staffers in order to make them grovel or otherwise submit to his will. Further, it has set off alarm bells about the safety of working conditions throughout his empire. The severity of these accusations and the resulting loss of life is considerable enough to have garnered heightened media attention and public interest in the ongoing case.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Strategy
Diddy’s lawyers are likely doing everything they can to thread needles throughout the shape case. Additionally, they have requested permission to interrogate potential jurors in writing. They are itching at the bit to discover their opinions about controversial issues such as sex, drugs, and violence. This innovative approach is designed to provide a fair trial in the face of extraordinary public interest in the case.
So far, Diddy’s efforts to postpone the trial have been rebuffed. Judge Arun Subramanian rejected a request from his attorneys to delay proceedings two months. Even as the trial date is approaching, the defense is likely to accelerate its preparations. Meanwhile, the prosecution is preparing for what will surely be an incredibly polarizing courtroom drama.
“The court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom.” – Rule 53 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure