Sean “Diddy” Combs, the prominent hip-hop mogul, was arrested late Monday in New York after being indicted by a federal grand jury. The arrest follows a series of sexual assault allegations from several women.
Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced in a social media post on Monday night that the indictment would be unsealed the following morning, with further details to be disclosed at that time.
Though prosecutors have not yet revealed the specific charges, Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, responded to the indictment, stating, “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
Agnifilo further noted that Combs had traveled to New York last week in anticipation of the charges, adding, “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”
Combs was arrested around 8:30 p.m. on Monday at the Park Hyatt Hotel in New York and was expected to be held overnight before being arraigned in court on Tuesday morning.
The federal investigation into Combs began on March 25 when Homeland Security agents executed search warrants at his homes in Los Angeles and Miami.
Following these raids, his defense attorney, Aaron Dyer, criticized the operation, calling it “a gross use of military-level force,” and reiterated that the allegations were “meritless,” maintaining that Combs was “innocent and will continue to fight” to clear his name.
Since that time, Combs’ career has been marred by both sexual assault lawsuits and a federal investigation.
Once a top figure in the U.S. music industry, Combs was known for a string of hits, including chart-topping singles like Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down, I’ll Be Missing You, and Shake Ya Tailfeather.
His record label, Bad Boy Records, boasted high-profile artists such as Notorious B.I.G. and Mase, while he also achieved success with other business ventures, including the clothing brand Sean John and the vodka brand Cîroc.
However, his reputation has been significantly tarnished by the allegations, which he has continuously denied.
In recent weeks, the repercussions have mounted. New York mayor Eric Adams has called on Combs to return the ceremonial key to the city, which he was awarded in September 2023.
Additionally, Howard University rescinded Combs’ honorary degree, discontinued a scholarship program in his name, and returned a $1 million donation he had previously made.
Last November, the singer Cassie, a former protégé and girlfriend of Combs, became the first to sue him for sexual abuse. Her lawsuit detailed years of alleged abuse, including beatings and rape.
The suit also accused Combs of sex trafficking, claiming he “required her to engage in forced sexual acts in multiple jurisdictions” and coerced her into helping him traffic male sex workers whom he would force her to have sex with while he filmed.
Though the suit was settled the following day, it sparked a wave of further accusations.
In the weeks that followed, three more women came forward with allegations, including claims of sex trafficking and gang rape. In response to the escalating situation, Combs took to social media in November, writing: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
He added, “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”
In May, leaked video showed Combs punching Cassie, kicking her, and throwing her to the ground in a hotel hallway.
Following the video’s release, Combs posted an apology, stating, “I was disgusted when I did it” and “I’m disgusted now.” Cassie’s lawsuit was followed by at least six more lawsuits in the ensuing months.
In June, Howard University announced it had severed all ties with Combs, revoking the honorary degree it had previously awarded him and ending all associated honors and privileges.
Shortly after, Combs returned the “Key to the City of New York” at the request of Mayor Eric Adams.
In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit claiming Combs coerced him into soliciting prostitutes and pressured him into having sex with them.
Another accuser alleged that Combs had raped her two decades ago when she was 17. Combs and his legal team have consistently denied all the accusations.
While authorities have not explicitly linked the lawsuits to the criminal investigation, Dyer commented during the search warrant execution that the case was based on “meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
Most recently, a man who accused Combs of sexually assaulting him won a $100 million judgment after Combs failed to contest the allegations in a Michigan civil court.
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, stated that Combs did not know the plaintiff, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, and accused Cardello-Smith of committing “fraud on the court.” Agnifilo added that Combs “looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.”
