Opening arguments got underway Monday in the highly anticipated trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Combs, 55, who helped shape the rap and R&B industry in the 1990s and 2000s by developing artists like the Notorious B.I.G., Usher and Mary J. Blige, has been accused of sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy as part of a blockbuster federal indictment originally filed in September 2024. He later faced two more superseding indictments. Combs pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Combs is accused of being the ringleader of an alleged enterprise that “abused, threatened and coerced women” into prolonged, drug-fueled sexual orgies with male prostitutes, which he called “freak offs,” and then threatened them into silence. He has said all the sex was consensual, with his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, saying he was simply part of the swinger lifestyle.
“Mr. Combs has said it before and will say it again: he vehemently denies the accusations made by the SDNY,” Agnifilo said in a statement to ABC News in March. “He looks forward to his day in court when it will become clear that he has never forced anyone to engage in sexual acts against their will. Many former employees stand by his side, prepared to attest to the dedication, hard work, and inspiration they experienced while helping build groundbreaking, award-winning businesses.”
Testimony ended for the day on the cross-examination of male escort Daniel Phillip by defense attorney Xavier Donaldson.
Donaldson said he has about an hour of cross-examination remaining.
Cassie Ventura is expected to be the next witness called later Tuesday morning to testify for the prosecution. More here
