Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has pleaded not responsible to a brand new indictment, accusing him of threatening to punish workers who didn’t help in his alleged two-decade intercourse trafficking scheme.
Combs, one of the profitable rappers and hip-hop producers within the US, was additionally accused of forcing workers to work lengthy hours in what prosecutors described as “forced labour”, the Manhattan federal courtroom heard on Friday.
The three-time Grammy winner has beforehand pleaded not responsible to fees of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
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A sketch of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combes in courtroom on Friday with gray hair and a gray beard. Pic: Reuters
His trial begins on 5 Could.
A number of members of his household had been current in courtroom as he entered with greying hair, a gray beard, and sporting saggy jail garments.
Whereas the brand new indictment added no new fees, it claims Combs and those that labored with him “maintained control” over some workers by forcing them to work lengthy hours with minimal sleep, with threats of bodily drive, monetary hurt, psychological hurt and reputational injury.
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Sean Combs has pleaded not responsible to all felony fees. Pic: Reuters
Prosecutors from the Manhattan US Legal professional’s Workplace allege that Combs used his varied companies – together with his label Dangerous Boy Leisure – to abuse ladies between 2004 and 2024.
Combs has additionally been accused of organising “freak offs” – allegedly inducing ladies and male intercourse employees into drug-fuelled sexual performances.
His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, nevertheless, argues that these occasions had been consensual.
Combs additionally faces dozens of civil lawsuits by ladies and men who’ve accused him of sexual assault and different misconduct. He has denied all wrongdoing.
Combs has been held in a Brooklyn jail awaiting trial since his September 2024 arrest.
