Hip-Hop Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs Arrested on Federal Charges
Sean “Diddy” Combs, the renowned hip-hop mogul, was arrested late Monday in New York City following an indictment by a federal grand jury, The Associated Press reports.
The indictment, which remains sealed, details the charges against Combs.
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, confirmed the arrest in a statement, noting that federal agents took Combs into custody.
“We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” he said.
Combs was apprehended in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel, according to sources familiar with the arrest. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, confirmed that Combs had cooperated with the ongoing investigation and had relocated to New York last week in anticipation of potential charges.
“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 said, stressing his client’s status as a music icon and “loving family man.”
The criminal charges represent a significant turn in the career of one of hip-hop’s most prominent figures. The federal investigation into Combs, 58, was initiated after Homeland Security Investigations agents executed search warrants at his mansions in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25.
Combs, who rose to fame as Puff Daddy during the 1990s, became synonymous with the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry as the partner and producer of the Notorious B.I.G. In recent years, his public image had evolved, presenting him as a refined party host, fashion-forward businessman, and devoted father.
However, this carefully curated image began to crumble last November when R&B singer Cassie, a former protégé and girlfriend of Combs, filed a lawsuit alleging years of sexual abuse, including physical assault and rape. Cassie’s lawsuit also accused Combs of engaging in sex trafficking by forcing her into sexual acts in multiple locations and transporting her for the purpose of coerced sexual activity.
The suit was settled quickly, but it sparked a wave of similar allegations. Several women came forward with claims of sexual misconduct against Combs, ranging from coercion into prostitution to rape.
Combs and his legal team have consistently denied the allegations.
The arrest marks a major development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding Combs and his alleged actions. As the founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs built a successful career as a producer and executive, collaborating with numerous iconic artists, including Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, and Faith Evans.
Combs’ business ventures, including lucrative spirits brands, a media company, and the Sean John Fashion line, have also been impacted by the allegations.
This is not the first time Combs has faced legal trouble. He has previously been arrested on various charges, including assault and weapons possession.
