Sean “Diddy” Combs, the famed rapper and music mogul known for launching major careers, is now confronting fresh federal allegations just months before his highly anticipated sex trafficking trial.
In a second superseding indictment linked to his September 2024 arrest, federal prosecutors have accused Combs of forcing employees to work long hours and threatening punishment for those who failed to support his alleged sex trafficking operations. While the new charges do not add to the original counts, they include expanded claims of “forced labor.” Combs’ lawyer strongly denies these allegations.
Back in September, Combs was arrested on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. Prosecutors alleged that Combs and his associates coerced and abused women to satisfy his sexual desires — including forcing victims to participate in recorded sexual acts he called “Freak Offs.” Combs has consistently denied all accusations.
Following his arrest, over 100 civil lawsuits were filed by individuals accusing Combs of sexual abuse and exploitation. Combs’ legal team dismisses these claims as unfounded.
Despite the new allegations, prosecutors do not expect any delay to Combs’ trial scheduled for May 5, 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said in a statement:
“He vehemently denies the accusations and looks forward to his day in court, where it will be clear he never forced anyone into sexual acts against their will.”
A new federal judge, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian—who also oversees the DOJ’s antitrust case against Ticketmaster—has been assigned to Combs’ case. No reason for the reassignment has been made public.
Since his arrest, Combs has been denied bail multiple times, even after offering his Miami mansion as collateral for a $50 million bond. The judge cited concerns over potential witness tampering during the most recent bail denial in November 2024. His lawyers later withdrew their appeal for bail, accepting that Combs will remain in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until trial.
Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, has reinvented himself several times over his career. But this current chapter marks an unwelcome and challenging period.
Federal agents from Homeland Security raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March 2024 as part of the investigation. In addition, in September 2024, Combs faced a $100 million default judgment related to a 1997 sexual assault lawsuit filed by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith. The court ruled in favor of Cardello-Smith, who accused Combs of drugging and assaulting him decades ago. Combs has denied these allegations as well.
The legal troubles for Combs began publicly in November 2023 when singer and dancer Cassie, his former partner, filed a lawsuit alleging years of abuse. The case was filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which allowed adult victims a one-year window to bring civil claims regardless of prior time limits.
As this high-profile case unfolds, Sean Combs continues to deny all wrongdoing and awaits his day in court.
Casandra “Cassie” Ventura
R&B singer Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit in 2023 accusing Sean Combs of trafficking, rape, and repeated physical abuse spanning a decade. Ventura alleged Combs introduced her to his excessive, drug-fueled lifestyle shortly after signing her to his label in 2005, when she was 19 and he was 37. She claimed the abuse began immediately and escalated over time, culminating in a 2018 rape in her Los Angeles home.
In May 2024, newly released surveillance footage from 2016 appeared to confirm parts of Ventura’s claims, showing Combs physically assaulting her in a hotel corridor. Shortly after the video’s release, Combs publicly apologized, calling his actions “inexcusable” and took responsibility. Ventura later settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum, emphasizing an amicable resolution, while Combs’ legal team maintained the settlement did not imply guilt.
Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith
In a 30-year-old case, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, an inmate, accused Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting him at a party in 1997. In September 2024, Cardello-Smith was awarded a $100 million default judgment after Combs failed to appear at a hearing. Combs’ attorneys disputed the claims and are seeking dismissal.
Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones
Producer Rodney Jones filed a lawsuit in early 2024 alleging prolonged sexual harassment, drugging, and coercion by Combs and his associates between 2022 and 2023. The suit includes claims that Combs hosted sex trafficking parties involving underage women and illicit drugs, and implicated other industry figures as complicit. Combs’ lawyer dismissed the allegations as fabrications.
Additional Accusations
Since late 2023, multiple women have come forward with allegations ranging from drugging to sexual assault, many occurring during the 1990s and early 2000s. These include former model Crystal McKinney, student April Lampros, and former bandmate Dawn Richard, each detailing disturbing patterns of abuse tied to Combs’ music empire. Some lawsuits also accuse Combs of secretly recording assaults and using intimidation tactics to silence victims.
Jane Doe Lawsuits
Several anonymous plaintiffs have accused Combs of drugging and raping underage girls, with some suits dating back over two decades. Notably, one lawsuit alleges Combs and rapper Aaron Hall raped two teenagers at a 1990-91 MCA Records event. Another accuser, Jane Doe, alleges gang rape by Combs and associates in 2003 as part of a sex trafficking scheme.
Criminal Charges and Federal Indictments
In September 2024, federal prosecutors indicted Combs on charges including sex trafficking, forced labor, and conspiracy, accusing him of operating a criminal enterprise that exploited women over two decades. The indictment details coercive “Freak Off” parties where victims were drugged and abused. Combs was arrested in Manhattan and remains detained, facing an arraignment and trial in 2025.
Behavior in Custody and Legal Strategies
Despite incarceration, Combs has been accused of attempting to influence witnesses and orchestrate narratives through family contacts. Prosecutors have highlighted his disregard for jail rules and efforts to obstruct justice, using these actions to argue against bail. Combs’ attorneys continue to deny all allegations, framing the lawsuits as opportunistic and false.
Jay-Z Named in Lawsuit
In December 2024, Jay-Z was named in a federal lawsuit alongside Combs, accused of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards after-party. Jay-Z has categorically denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a blackmail attempt.
