‘Freak offs’: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs forced women into orgies, recorded them, case claims
Washington: Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was allegedly the kingpin of a years-long sex-trafficking enterprise that forced women to take part in drug-fuelled orgies, which he would often film and use as collateral against them.
In an explosive indictment that was unsealed on Tuesday (US time), the multi award-winning producer and record executive was accused of overseeing so-called “freak offs”, in which his victims would be forced to engage in recorded sex sessions that often lasted for days.
Sean Combs at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2020. Credit: Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP
Prosecutors allege Combs, 54, would use his power and prestige to lure women – often with promises of a romantic relationship – before using intimidation and threats to get them to engage in sex acts for his own gratification.
Those who took part in his orgies would be plied with drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, the indictment said, and victims “typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use”.
Combs “then used the sensitive, embarrassing and incriminating recordings that he made during Freak Offs as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims,” said US Attorney Damian Williams.
“To carry out this conduct, Sean Combs led and participated in a racketeering conspiracy that used the business empire he controlled to carry out criminal activity, including sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and the obstruction of justice,” Williams added as he outlined the charges.
The indictment was unsealed after Combs was arrested at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan on Monday night, after a lengthy investigation. He appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon to plead not guilty to the charges, which come nearly six months after federal authorities raided his homes in California and Florida.
As prosecutors revealed on Tuesday, some of the items seized from his homes included AR-15 guns, ammunition, narcotics, and “more than 1000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant”.
He was denied bail by the judge, who pointed out that sex trafficking is a crime that happens behind closed doors and that Combs would be hard to monitor even with pre-trial monitoring services. He plans to appeal.
US Attorney Damian Williams speaks about federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs during a news conference.Credit: AP
“He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might, and the full confidence of his lawyers,” Marc Agnifilo, one of his lawyers, said outside the federal courthouse on Tuesday morning.
“I expect a long battle with a good result for Mr Combs.”
The charges mark another sordid chapter in a stunning fall from grace for the American record executive, who is credited with cultivating some of the biggest names in hip hop and R&B, including Usher, the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige.
Combs has faced a wave of lawsuits – including one as recently as last week – accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct.
His former girlfriend Casandra Ventura sued him in federal court, accusing him of years of physical and sexual abuse – something he initially denied. However, CNN later released shocking video footage showing Combs viciously kicking, punching and throwing Ventura on the floor in 2016, resulting in him apologising in an Instagram video and declaring he had sought therapy.
Since then, a number of others have sued, including US singer Dawn Richard, who alleged that he groped and threatened her when he employed her from 2005 to 2012.
Combs is now the most high-profile figure in the music world to face criminal charges for sexual misconduct since R&B singer R. Kelly, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year for various child sex crimes.
The indictment paints Combs as the head of the alleged criminal enterprise, while employees facilitated “Freak Offs” by arranging travel, booking hotel rooms, stocking participants with drugs, scheduling the delivery of IV fluids and then cleaning the rooms after the orgies.
“A year ago Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City,” Williams said as he reflected on his fall from grace during a press conference in Manhattan. “Today he’s been indicted and will face justice in the Southern District of New York.”
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