Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: What we know about his indictment on sex trafficking and racketeering charges

For decades, Sean Combs — better known as Diddy — ruled hip-hop. He received a key to New York City, an honorary degree from Howard University and won three Grammy Awards. In 2019, Forbes estimated his personal wealth to be $740 million (U.S.).
On Monday, Combs was arrested.
He faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges that allege he “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals,” the indictment says.
The arrest is the latest chapter in a nearly yearlong unravelling of Combs’ career and public image, one that began in November with a lawsuit filed by his former girlfriend.
Combs broke onto the scene in the 1990s as Puff Daddy. He founded Bad Boy Records and was the partner and producer of the Notorious B.I.G.
Later, he worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop: Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil’ Kim, Faith Evans and 112.
He became one of the most influential producers and executives in the genre and made hundreds of millions in the process. He expanded into spirits, promoting vodka brand Ciroc and purchasing tequila brand DeLeón. He sold his stake in DeLeón for about $200 million earlier this year.
He also created a fashion line and founded a media company. Combs claimed to be a billionaire.
In November, 37-year-old Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit alleging she met Combs in 2005, when she was 19 and he was 37. 
Ventura and Combs dated on and off, starting in 2007, and a pattern of abuse emerged during that time, she said.
He punched, kicked and stomped her during “savage” beatings, Ventura alleged. She also said he forced her to have sex with other men and filmed the encounters.
And in 2018, as Ventura tried to end the relationship, she said Combs raped her in her Los Angeles home.
“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” Ventura said in a statement, as reported by the Associated Press.
Combs’ attorney, Ben Brafman, said the allegations were “blatant blackmail.”
“Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday,” Brafman said.
The suit was settled one day after it was filed.
In the months that followed, several women sued Combs, accusing him of sexual assault. In February, a music producer filed another suit.
But it wasn’t until March that federal agents raided two Combs properties in Los Angeles and Miami as part of an investigation into sex trafficking. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether Combs was the target of the investigation.
One day later, attorney Aaron Dyer called the raids “a gross use of military-level force.” In the days that followed, TMZ reported Combs’ personal jet had flown to the Caribbean nation of Antigua, although it was unclear if Combs was on the plane.
In May, CNN released surveillance footage from 2016 that showed Combs grabbing Ventura by her neck and throwing her to the floor. He kicked her twice, then dragged her by her sweatshirt before walking away.
When he returned, he appeared to shove Ventura, then throw an object at her.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in an Instagram statement it could not charge Combs, because the incident “would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
Combs apologized for the assault, saying his behaviour was “inexcusable.”
“I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then, when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” Combs said. “I went out and sought out professional help. I had to go into therapy, go into rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to be a better man each and every day.”
In the aftermath, New York City mayor Eric Adams rescinded Combs’ key to the city and Howard University stripped him of an honorary degree. It also ended a scholarship program that bore his name.
Late Monday night in New York, authorities arrested Combs on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
The indictment, unsealed Tuesday, alleges he created a “criminal enterprise” engaging in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. Combs abused women verbally, emotionally, physically and sexually, the indictment says, and controlled women by giving them narcotics, threatening to cut off financial support and through violence.
For years, Combs struck, punched, dragged and kicked women, as well as his employees and witnesses to his abuse, according to the indictment.
He co-ordinated sometimes days-long “Freak Offs,” described in the indictment as “elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded.”
Combs coerced women to participate alongside male sex workers, the indictment alleges. He gave the women drugs, “in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant.” Afterwards, he and the victims received an IV to recover from the physical exertion and drug use.
His associates booked hotel rooms for the “Freak Offs” and stocked them in advance with drugs, baby oil, lubricant, extra linens and lighting, according to the indictment. They would also schedule the delivery of the IV and clean the hotel room afterwards.
In the March raids on Combs’ houses, authorities found narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, the indictment says.
Outside the courthouse on Tuesday morning, lawyer Marc Agnifilo said Combs would plead not guilty.
“His spirits are good. He’s confident,” Agnifilo said.
With files from The Associated Press