Sean “Diddy” Combs, the renowned music mogul behind Bad Boy Records, is now at the centre of an explosive legal battle involving a range of sexual misconduct accusations and federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
These allegations have set the stage for what could be one of the most high-profile celebrity trials in recent history.
The spotlight on Combs intensified when Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee, representing 120 individuals accusing Combs of sexual misconduct, revealed that a hotline set up for the alleged victims received over 12,000 calls in just 24 hours.
Buzbee disclosed this staggering number in an interview with Law & Crime, stating, “When I made an announcement that I was going to pursue these cases, the floodgates really opened.”
Buzbee had previously held a press conference announcing impending lawsuits against Combs, which reportedly included disturbing allegations of child sexual abuse.
One particularly harrowing claim involves a 9-year-old boy who, along with other minors, was allegedly abused while auditioning at a New York studio with the promise of a record deal.
“All of them were minors… This individual was sexually abused, allegedly by Sean Combs and several others at the studio,” Buzbee asserted.
These accusations come after years of growing scrutiny around Combs, who has been the subject of numerous lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct.
The first wave of legal action came after his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a lawsuit in November 2023, accusing Combs of years of sexual abuse during their relationship.
Though the lawsuit was swiftly settled, it set off a series of other accusations and legal filings against him.
The situation escalated when Combs was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution in September 2024.
On Sept. 16, Combs was arrested by federal agents following an indictment filed by prosecutors from the Southern District of New York.
These charges stem from a series of alleged incidents, referred to as “freak offs,” which prosecutors describe as highly orchestrated sex performances involving coerced participation and drug use.
According to the indictment, Combs not only forced women to partake in these “freak offs,” but he also recorded these events and engaged in voyeuristic behaviour.
In some instances, the performances reportedly lasted for days, with both Combs and the participants requiring IV treatments afterwards due to the physical toll they endured.
Prosecutors allege that over 1,000 bottles of baby oil were discovered during raids on Combs’ properties in Miami and Los Angeles earlier this year, along with drugs used during these events.
If convicted on all charges, the 54-year-old music icon could face life imprisonment.
At his arraignment on Sept. 17, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed confidence that Combs would “fight this with all of his energy and all of his might.”
Dressed in a black shirt and grey sweatpants, Combs remained silent throughout the court session, aside from entering his not-guilty plea.
As he was left in custody, Combs touched his heart in a gesture towards his family, who attended the hearing.
Despite his defence team’s efforts to secure a $50 million bail package, which included travel restrictions and other conditions, prosecutors successfully argued for Combs to remain behind bars.
Their case was built on concerns that Combs posed a danger to the community and a risk of flight, stating that he had already attempted to obstruct the investigation by contacting witnesses and feeding them false narratives.
In a motion filed by prosecutors, they contended, “The defendant is dangerous and poses an ongoing threat to the community’s safety. If released, he remains a serious risk of flight… and a significant risk of obstructing justice.”
According to reports, Combs had also allegedly tried to bribe security personnel and intimidate witnesses involved in the case.
Known for his many nicknames—Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, and most recently, Love—the indictment referenced his public personas.
The document details how Combs allegedly used his influence and status to coerce and abuse those around him, exploiting his position of power in ways that now threaten to dismantle his career and reputation.
Combs’ family has largely remained silent in the wake of these developments.
His son, Christian “King” Combs, was seen attending the court proceedings, quietly reading a copy of the indictment.
