American rapper, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was taken into custody Monday night in New York City following a grand jury indictment.
While the specifics of the charges were not immediately revealed, The New York Times cited a source “familiar with the indictment” who confirmed that the music mogul had been indicted.
In a statement, Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision to press charges. Agnifilo emphasized the unjust nature of the prosecution, stating, “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.”
Agnifilo went on to describe Diddy as a multifaceted figure—”a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist”—whose contributions over the last three decades have been extensive, especially toward uplifting the Black community. Despite his imperfections, Agnifilo stressed that his client “is not a criminal.”
Diddy, who had been cooperating with the investigation for months, made the proactive decision to relocate to New York in anticipation of these charges. Agnifilo urged the public to refrain from making any premature judgments, “Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
The charges come amidst a year of mounting legal troubles for Combs, who has faced at least eight civil lawsuits in recent months, most centered around allegations of sexual misconduct.
The case that initially garnered widespread attention involved Combs’ ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, who filed a lawsuit accusing him of abuse.
Shortly after, a video surfaced allegedly showing Combs physically assaulting her, and although the lawsuit was settled privately within 24 hours, the footage added to the weight of the claims.
Additionally, Diddy’s troubles worsened earlier this year when federal authorities raided his homes in March, pointing to the possibility of a broader criminal investigation.
Just last week, Danity Kane member Dawn Richard added her voice to the growing list of accusers, filing a complaint in Manhattan’s federal court. Richard alleged that Diddy “manipulated” her into believing that exploitation and abuse were necessary for women to succeed in the music industry.
She also claimed to have personally witnessed his abusive behavior toward Cassie Ventura, whose courage, along with others speaking out, inspired her to come forward.
In the legal filing, Richard’s attorneys emphasized the collective strength of the women involved in these cases, describing them as part of a movement, “As more women courageously come forward, plaintiff has been empowered by this collective strength and now adds her voice to the growing chorus of victims bravely sharing their harrowing stories. Together, they seek justice and stand in solidarity, as the latest victims of the #Me Too movement in the music industry.”
Reacting to the new lawsuit, Combs’ attorney Erica Wolff expressed that her client was “shocked and disappointed” by the latest wave of accusations, asserting that the allegations continue to be strongly contested.
