Music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleaded not guilty on April 14, 2025, to fresh federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering in a Manhattan courtroom, marking a dramatic escalation in his legal battles.
The new indictment, unsealed Monday, accuses Combs, 55, of orchestrating a criminal enterprise from 2008 to 2024, involving coerced sexual acts, blackmail, and violence to maintain control over victims, including women lured to his properties under false pretenses. Prosecutors detailed “freak-off” parties, alleging Combs used drugs and intimidation to ensure compliance, with evidence from hotel surveillance and victim testimonies.
Combs, arrested in September 2024, faces life imprisonment if convicted, with bail denied for a third time due to flight risk concerns, per court records. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, called the charges “a pile-on of unfounded allegations,” vowing to fight what he termed a “government vendetta.” The case, following raids on Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami homes in March 2024, has drawn 20 civil lawsuits, including claims from former nanny Jane Roe, alleging assault.
Over 50 witnesses are listed, though names remain sealed. The trial, set for August 2025, has gripped public attention, with 70% of Americans following updates, per Pew Research, as Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment legacy faces scrutiny.