Rapper Diddy and members of his group are accused of organizing multiple sex gatherings and drug use.
According to Page Six, in a hearing in federal court in Lower Manhattan (USA) on the morning of September 17, rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to extort; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation and participation in prostitution.
The judge decided that he would be held without bail. If convicted, Diddy could face a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Speaking after the hearing, Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo said the US Attorney’s Office was pursuing an unfair prosecution. Agnifilo will appeal, demanding freedom for his client.
“Combs is a strong fighter, he is not afraid of the charges. He looks forward to the day when he can be cleared. He has done nothing wrong,” the attorney said.
Previously, the indictment was announced, saying Diddy and members of his Combs Enterprise group, including senior supervisors, security personnel, family staff and personal assistants, were accused of organizing multiple Freak Offs – gatherings for sex and drug use.
During these gatherings, the hip-hop star was accused of “beating, throwing objects and pulling the victim’s hair”, and “physically and mentally abusing them to engage in crazy acts”.
The attacks reportedly “often resulted in injuries that took days or weeks to heal.”
The indictment continues: “Combs controlled his victims through a variety of means, including physical violence, promises of employment opportunities, threats to cut off financial support, and other coercive measures, including monitoring their whereabouts and medical records, ordering victims to appear, and providing them with narcotics…”
The document also details a number of items found at Diddy’s mansion in March, including drugs, guns, and more than 1,000 bottles of lubricant.
On September 16, CNN reported that Diddy was arrested at a Manhattan hotel at 8:15 p.m. the same day. The billionaire rapper has been embroiled in a series of serious allegations. One of the lawsuits was filed by Cassie Ventura, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend. The woman accused the rapper of “using his money and power to cover up evidence of physical and mental abuse.”