Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the embattled US rapper, has been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering.
The Associated Press reports that a federal indictment was unsealed on Tuesday — a few hours after the rapper was arrested by officers with Homeland Security Investigations at the hotel where he was staying at the Park Hyatt New York on 57th Street.
The 54-year-old media mogul has been in the public eye since November 2023 after several women, including Cassie Ventura, the rapper’s ex-girlfriend, took him to court, claiming they were sexually assaulted.
Cassie, who is a singer, accused the rapper of rape, abuse, and human trafficking during their 10-year relationship.
The lawsuit labelled Diddy a “serial domestic abuser, who would regularly beat and kick Ms Ventura, leaving black eyes, bruises, and blood”.
Diddy, however, denied the allegations, calling them “offensive and outrageous”. He also accused Cassie of extortion.
The lawsuit was settled out of court one day after it was filed.
Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, Diddy’s former producer, also filed a lawsuit alleging that the rapper sexually harassed, drugged, and threatened him for over a year.
In March, the United States Department of Homeland Security raided two properties linked to Diddy.
In May, a video surfaced showing Combs assaulting Cassie in 2016.
Diddy apologised over the incident, saying he was “truly sorry” and that his actions were “inexcusable”.
A Michigan inmate was recently awarded $100 million for a sexual assault lawsuit against Diddy by default judgment.
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