Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested late Monday in New York after being indicted by a federal grand jury, following a series of sexual assault allegations against him.
Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated, “We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” in a social media post on Monday night.
While the details of the charges remain undisclosed, Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment with the prosecution, saying, “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.” He added that Combs had anticipated the charges and had traveled to New York last week. “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal,” Agnifilo emphasized.
Combs was arrested at the Park Hyatt New York around 8:30 pm and was expected to be arraigned in court on Tuesday morning. The arrest follows a federal investigation that began in March when Homeland Security agents raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami.
After the raids, Combs’ defense attorney, Aaron Dyer, called the search “a gross use of military-level force” and stated that the allegations were “meritless,” asserting that Combs was “innocent and will continue to fight to clear his name.”
Once one of the most successful figures in the U.S. music industry, with hits like “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and “I’ll Be Missing You,” Combs has seen his reputation tarnished by multiple lawsuits and allegations of sexual assault. His business ventures, including Bad Boy Records, clothing brand Sean John, and vodka brand Cîroc, contributed to his empire, but the recent allegations have impacted his legacy.
The legal troubles escalated last November when his former girlfriend and R&B singer, Cassie, sued him for sexual abuse. Cassie’s lawsuit detailed years of abuse, including allegations of beatings, rape, and sex trafficking. While the lawsuit was settled the following day, other accusers soon followed with claims, including sex trafficking and gang rape.
In response to the allegations, Combs posted on social media in December, writing, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” adding, “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.”
Despite the denials, Combs’ reputation has suffered. In recent months, New York Mayor Eric Adams requested Combs return the ceremonial key to the city awarded to him in 2023, and Howard University rescinded his honorary degree while discontinuing a scholarship program in his name.
In May, a leaked video surfaced showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie in a hotel hallway, further fueling public outrage. Combs later apologized in a video, stating, “I was disgusted when I did it” and “I’m disgusted now.”
Earlier this year, more lawsuits followed, including one in February from a music producer who accused Combs of coercing him into soliciting prostitutes. Another accuser alleged Combs raped her two decades ago when she was 17. Combs and his attorneys have consistently denied the allegations.
Last week, a Michigan court awarded a $100 million judgment to a man who accused Combs of sexual assault. Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, denied that his client knew the plaintiff, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, and accused him of committing “fraud on the court.”
Although authorities have not directly linked the lawsuits to the criminal investigation, Combs’ legal team maintains that the case is based on “meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
