Sean “Diddy” Combs, the influential rap mogul, was arrested by federal agents in Manhattan on Monday, marking a stunning fall from grace amid mounting sex trafficking and assault allegations.
According to US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, the arrest stemmed from a sealed indictment. “We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” Williams stated.
Combs’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, revealed that his client had voluntarily relocated to New York anticipating the charges. “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the US Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo said.
The rapper faces multiple civil lawsuits alleging he used his celebrity status to prey on women, employing alcohol and drugs to subdue victims. Combs has denied all accusations.
A string of lurid sexual assault claims has plagued Combs, including allegations by singer Cassie (Casandra Ventura) of over a decade of coercion, physical force, and a 2018 rape. Disturbing surveillance footage showed Combs physically assaulting Ventura.
Combs’s rise to fame began as an intern at Uptown Records in 1990. He founded Bad Boy Records after being fired and achieved success with acts like The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J Blige, and Usher. However, his dark history of violence and misconduct has long overshadowed his achievements.
The once-heralded music industry figure now faces uncertain times as his legal team vows to clear his name. “Combs is being cooperative with
