Prosecutors on Thursday alleged that American singer Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trafficked at least three women in his 20-year sexual abuse scheme.
They made this claim while filing a new criminal indictment against the incarcerated hip-hop mogul.
The three-count indictment does not introduce new charges but claims he moved three female victims and commercial sex workers across state and international borders.
It is worth noting that Combs’ initial indictment last September named only one female victim.
The 55-year-old Combs pleaded not guilty to the initial indictment, and prosecutors have requested that he be arraigned once more.
Reports indicate that his trial is set for May 5 in Manhattan federal court.
“Mr. Combs is as committed as ever to fighting these charges and winning at trial,” Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in a statement.
The indictment accused Combs of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Combs exploited his business empire, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to sexually abuse women.
Combs’ alleged abuse involved having women participate in recorded sexual performances known as “freak offs” with male sex workers, who were at times transported across state lines.
The new indictment claimed that Combs abused his employees, as well as those who observed him committing acts of violence.
Prosecutors also claimed that Combs lured women with drugs like ketamine and ecstasy, financial assistance, and promises of career advancement or romantic relationships.
The indictment also included methamphetamine and psychedelic mushrooms among the illegal drugs that Combs and his associates are accused of distributing.
While none of the alleged victims were named, one is reportedly Combs’ former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer known as Cassie.
In a civil lawsuit, she accused him of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery, and rape, but settled the case a day after filing. Combs, however, denied the allegations.
In a March 2016 incident similar to Cassie’s account of an alleged assault, prosecutors stated that Combs was seen on hotel security footage striking and dragging a woman attempting to leave a freak off.
Combs apologised last May after CNN aired the video, and his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has stated that the video does not serve as evidence of sex trafficking.
