Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has pleaded not guilty to a new indictment that alleges he threatened to punish employees who refused to assist in his alleged two-decade sex trafficking operation.
The latest accusations add to the growing legal battles faced by the hip-hop mogul, who has been at the center of multiple criminal and civil cases.
Prosecutors claim that Combs used fear and intimidation to maintain control over those working for him, further deepening the seriousness of the charges against him.
The Manhattan federal court heard on Friday that Combs, one of the most successful rappers and producers in hip-hop history, also forced his employees to work long hours under conditions described as “forced labor”.
Prosecutors allege that his employees were often subjected to mental, physical, and financial pressure, with little choice but to comply with his demands. The accusations paint a picture of an empire built not just on music and business, but also on exploitation and coercion.
The three-time Grammy winner had already pleaded not guilty to a string of serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
His legal team maintains that he has done nothing wrong, dismissing the allegations as exaggerations and fabrications. Despite their defense, the prosecution insists that Combs was the orchestrator of a vast criminal network that victimized women and employees over a 20-year span.
Combs’ trial is set to begin on May 5, and anticipation is building over what is expected to be a high-profile legal battle. His family members were present in court as he entered, his appearance markedly different from his days as a flashy hip-hop mogul.
Now, with greying hair, a beard, and dressed in baggy prison attire, the former music icon cut a subdued figure—a stark contrast to his past life of wealth, power, and influence.
Though the new indictment does not introduce additional charges, it strengthens existing claims that Combs and his associates controlled their employees through a combination of sleep deprivation, financial threats, psychological manipulation, and even physical intimidation.
The prosecution argues that these methods were used to coerce loyalty and silence dissent, ensuring that those in his circle complied with his wishes without question.
Prosecutors allege that Combs used his various businesses, including his famed label Bad Boy Entertainment, as a front to lure and exploit women between 2004 and 2024.
The indictment further accuses him of organizing drug-fueled sex parties, known as “freak-offs,” where women and male sex workers were allegedly pressured into non-consensual sexual activities.
However, Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has strongly refuted these claims, insisting that these events were entirely consensual and that his client is being unfairly targeted.
Beyond the criminal charges, Combs also faces dozens of civil lawsuits from both women and men who have accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.
He has consistently denied all wrongdoing, claiming that he is the victim of a smear campaign. However, his continued detention in a Brooklyn jail—where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024—suggests that the legal system sees him as a significant flight risk or a danger to potential witnesses.
As his trial date approaches, all eyes will be on the courtroom, where one of hip-hop’s most influential figures will face the most serious fight of his career.
