On September 12, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York filed a sealed indictment against music mogul Sean Combs, also known by his various aliases “Puff Daddy,” “P. Diddy,” “Diddy,” “PD,” and “Love.” The indictment details a slew of charges against Combs, accusing him of orchestrating a multi-faceted criminal enterprise that spanned decades. According to the 14-page indictment obtained by WMV, Diddy is alleged to be a mastermind behind racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking charges, and other criminal activities.
The indictment states that “For decades, SEAN COMBS… abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.” Combs is accused of using his business empire, referred to collectively as “Combs Business,” as a front for a criminal enterprise involved in various crimes, including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.
The also indictment describes a “persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse” toward women and others, highlighting incidents dating back to March 2016 of verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Combs allegedly manipulated women to engage in orchestrated performances of sexual activities with male commercial sex workers, using narcotics, financial leverage, and intimidation as tools to ensure compliance.
One particular incident in 2016, captured on video, shows Combs allegedly assaulting a woman in a Los Angeles hotel. That video was made public by CNN. When hotel security intervened, Combs attempted to bribe them to cover up the event.
The Combs Enterprise:
The document refers to the organization operated by Combs as the “Combs Enterprise,” which served various purposes, including:
- Operating a global business across multiple industries such as media, entertainment, and apparel.
- Protecting and enhancing Combs’ reputation and influence.
- Exploiting women and using commercial sex workers to satisfy Combs’ desires.
- Securing absolute loyalty from associates using violence and intimidation.
- Concealing the criminal activities from law enforcement through threats and bribery.
Means and Methods of the Enterprise:
The document outlines how Combs and his associates exerted control over victims through coercion, threats, and physical violence. Allegations include orchestrating “Freak Offs,” events where women were forced into sexual activities, sometimes recorded without their consent. These events were supported by the distribution of narcotics to ensure compliance.
Racketeering Conspiracy:
The indictment charges Combs with engaging in a racketeering conspiracy from at least 2008 through the date of the filing. It outlines multiple acts of kidnapping, arson, bribery, obstruction of justice, forced labor, sex trafficking, drug distribution, and exploitation of women.
Additional Charges:
The document provides a “Notice of Special Sentencing Factor” (Page 11), alleging that from 2009 to 2018, Combs knowingly recruited, enticed, and solicited individuals for commercial sex acts using force, threats, and coercion. This serves as the foundation for Count Two: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion.
Property and Asset Forfeiture:
On Page 13, the indictment demands that Combs forfeit any property and assets derived from the alleged criminal activities. This includes all interests in securities, claims, and property constituting proceeds obtained from the offenses. Combs is required to forfeit a sum of money equivalent to the amount gained through these illegal activities.
Substitute Assets Provision:
Page 14 introduces the “Substitute Assets Provision,” which allows the United States to seek forfeiture of other properties owned by Combs if the identified assets cannot be located, have been transferred or sold, or are otherwise inaccessible. The provision outlines various circumstances under which substitute assets may be pursued to recover the value of the forfeitable property.
Just last week Combs listed his Los Angeles mansion for $60 million and offered as surety his Miami mansion valued at $48 million.
Diddy, 54, plead not guilty on September 17 and is currency being held in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center after his bail was denied twice.
Rapper 50 Cent in a speech at Earn Your Leisure said Combs legal troubles began when he started to go against spirit giant Diagio and other major corporations.
