In an indictment released just hours after Sean “Diddy Combs”, the media mogul, was arrested in the Park Hyatt New York City Hotel’s lobby, he was accused of being the leader of a criminal group.
Combs appeared in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and other crimes. Combs’ proposed $50 million bail was denied, as was his jail sentence after the hearing.
Combs is officially charged with racketeering and sex trafficking by force or coercion. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty.
Just hours before Combs’s court date, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (Damian Williams) released the sealed indictment. The indictment revealed shocking allegations made against Combs.
“Freak Offs”
Officials claim that Combs and unnamed Combs Enterprise members used intimidation tactics to “lure victims into Combs orbit, under the pretense of romance relationships.”
He would then use “force, threats of force, and coercion, to cause victims to engage in extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers that COMBS referred to as, among other things, ‘Freak Offs,'” according to the indictment.
Combs directed elaborate sex performances, in which he masturbated and recorded them electronically. Combs and his staff, as well as commercial sex actors, were allegedly transported by Combs across state lines and internationally for “Freak Offs”, which took place regularly and often lasted a few days.
Combs allegedly distributed “a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant. Sometimes unbeknownst to the victims, Combs kept videos he filmed of victims engaging in sex acts with commercial sex workers.” Following the “Freak Offs,” Combs and his victims “typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use,” documents stated.
Ally Keegan is a criminal lawyer in San Diego. She said that if the allegations were true, they would be “deeply troubling”.
Keegan said: “What is interesting about the indictment, is the level of detail. The government was aware that this case would have a high profile, so it took time to create a clear picture of how Combs allegedly used his media empire to abuse and exploit women. The graphic details help those hearing the allegations for the first time to grasp the magnitude and scope of the possible conspiracies.”
1,000 Bottles of Baby Oil and Lubricant
According to officials, on March 25, Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by federal agents as part of an investigation into human trafficking.
Authorities are reported to have found narcotics in over 1,000 bottles, as well as baby oil and lubricant.
The indictment states that “Members and Associates of the Combs Business including supervisors at high levels, household staff, personal assistants, and other Combs Business employees, helped in Freak Offs by, among others, booking hotel rooms and supplying them with Freak Off supplies like controlled substances, baby oil, lubricant, and linens. ”
Combs, victims, sex workers, and Combs were also transported to and from the Freak Offs. We are also responsible for “resupplying Combs with the supplies he requested.” “The team members gave Combs cash to pay the commercial sex workers. They also scheduled the IV liquids delivery.
Priya Sopori, partner at Greenberg Glusker and a former federal prosecutor, was surprised by the mass quantities of supplies found at Combs’ residence.
“Generally speaking, the allegations of a vast criminal conspiracy effectively designed and perpetuated to fulfill the sexual peccadillos of one individual seem pretty shocking in this day and age,” Sopori stated. “More specifically, the allegation that authorities seized over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant has that ‘Ew’ factor, because it’s difficult to imagine a need to maintain those quantities on hand. Was there a massive Costco sale? Probably not.”
Firearms
The indictment states that members of Combs’ enterprise, such as his personal security detail, have carried guns at times. Combs has been accused of “intimidating” and “threatening others, including victims and witnesses of his abuse”.
On March 25, officials raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami, as well as New York City. They seized three AR-15s with serial numbers that were defaced and a drum magazine.
Combs Enterprise’s employees and associates were alleged to be witnesses of Combs’ violent behavior towards victims or injuries but failed to intervene.
Combs Enterprise Associates helped to cover up violence and abuse by, for instance, assisting COMBS in monitoring and preventing victims from leaving certain places, like hotels and COMBS homes. “In some cases, victims had to hide for days to recover from injuries caused by COMBS.”
Arson
Under the racketeering conspiracy, Combs allegedly engaged in “multiple acts involving arson, chargeable under the following provisions of state law: California Penal Code§ 451 (arson), California Penal Code§§ 21(a), 664 (attempt), California Penal Code § 31 ( aiding and abetting), and California Penal Code § 182 (conspiracy).”
According to the indictment, “When employees, witnesses or associates of Combs abuse threatened Combs’ authority or reputation, Combs and members and associates of the Enterprise engaged in acts and verbal abuse and threats.”
Combs has committed violent crimes such as kidnapping and arson. He also threw people and objects on many occasions. He also dragged, choked, and hit others.
Officials stated that Combs relied heavily on the employees, resources, and influence of his multi-faceted empire. Combs’ criminal group was formed by his members who engaged in and tried to engage in crimes like sex trade, forced labor, and kidnapping.
Video Evidence
The indictment states that Combs has been known to commit “repeated, widespread” assaults on women. Combs faces charges of assaulting females by “striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects and kicking”.
A surveillance video from 2016 allegedly shows Combs publicly assaulting his girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Combs is said to have “kicked and dragged a female while she was trying to leave the hotel” in the video. After a hotel worker intervened Combs attempted to bribe the employee to keep quiet.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers is an expert in the field. She stated that video evidence is a great way to present a strong case.
Rahmani said, “We’ve all seen the video of Diddy slapping Cassie. In his press conference, US Attorney Damian Williams mentioned some other video evidence. Cassie and civil plaintiffs claim Diddy recorded ‘Freak Offs. ‘ People can lie but video doesn’t lie.
Combs Enterprise
According to the indictment Combs maintained a network called “Combs Enterprise” that facilitated his global business. “Preserving, protecting, and promoting Sean Combs’ power, reputation, and brand.”
Associate members showed their loyalty through the use of violence, firearms, and threats. Combs was abused verbally and emotionally as well as physically, sexually, and physically. The members also helped Combs fulfill his desires, which included “sexual pleasure including the exploitation of sexual workers for commercial purposes”.
Sopori said that even if the government has a competent lawyer, it can still be difficult to overcome RICO allegations. Diddy’s best defense is to deny the existence of a criminal group, or argue that the activities alleged were not enough to form a pattern.
Judge Robyn Tarnofsky decided that she could not impose any conditions on Combs’ bail when he entered his plea. She said that Combs wouldn’t be able to be monitored by pre-trial monitoring services. Tarnofsky considered alternatives to detention but found them insufficient. Tarnofsky admitted that the evidence against Combs is significant.
Combs’s legal team plans to appeal the bail decision.
“Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end,” the rapper’s lawyer said outside the courthouse following the arraignment. “He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence. He’s not afraid of the charges.”
Rahmani stated, “I do not think Diddy will be the winner. The jury might believe that one victim lied to get money, but video evidence and testimony from other victims will make it impossible to dismiss.”
