Sean Diddy Combs faces federal charges: new details and confessions come out each week

Diddy thought he was invincible on human trafficking

Billionaire Sean "Diddy" Combs of the hip-hop group Bad Boy has been compared to the late sex-trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein, although there are those who believe there is a big difference between the two powerful figures. One of Epstein's victims claims that "Diddy" thought he was invincible. But now Combs is facing federal charges.

Epstein was not an open secret," said Lisa Phillips, a model who claims he sexually abused her on her private island. The sex offender hid his actions "under the table" because only certain people knew about trafficking. The man is said to have been very intelligent and sophisticated to commit crimes of this magnitude in secret^[1].

Epstein, a 66-year-old hedge fund manager, was once in contact with some of the world's most influential people. He was first accused of sexually exploiting underage girls back in 2005, while in 2008 he was found guilty of soliciting a minor for prostitution in a controversial deal that allowed him to avoid wider criminal liability. Epstein was arrested again in July 2019 on federal charges of underage sex trafficking in New York and Florida. It was alleged that he ran a network exploiting underage girls with powerful partners. Ultimately, his crimes and mysterious death left a significant imprint on public consciousness, raising questions about elite impunity and the complexity of legal accountability in high-profile cases.

Diddy, for his part, is accused of racketeering conspiracy, trafficking in sexual services through force, fraud and coercion.

Human trafficking - a problem that goes beyond showbiz

L. Phillips, who works for Select Models Los Angeles, has a new podcast called "From Now On", which aims to raise awareness about human trafficking. She also points out that there have been whispers for years about Combs' behavior, which is supposedly well-known in the music industry^[2].

"When I was working as a model in the early 2000s, I knew all about Sean Combs' abuse of women", she said. Despite the fact that Combs and Epstein lived in different circles, she said that when you have such wealth, charm and influence, you can do anything and abuse your power. According to the woman, the case is a warning that human trafficking is an ongoing problem that goes beyond showbiz.

"They take these young girls and pretend to help them. But no, they send them to their friends, co-workers and other influential people," Phillips explained.

According to the indictment, Combs, 54, is accused of running a criminal enterprise. However, the disgraced media mogul pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and human trafficking in Manhattan federal court.

Faces 15 years behind bars or life imprisonment

Combs was not released on bail, but rather detained and sent to prison immediately after the hearing. He was formally charged with racketeering conspiracy, human trafficking, fraud, coercion and transportation for prostitution. If found guilty, the rapper faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The man is alleged to have distributed various controlled substances to the victims to make them docile and submissive, such as video material. It is also alleged that Combs' victims were usually given intravenous fluids to help them recover quickly from physical exertion and drug use^[3].

At the time, Phillips said that, like many alleged victims of sexual abuse, she was afraid to come forward. According to the woman, it was only after Epstein's death that Phillips slowly gained courage. Now, she says, he had installed cameras in the premises because he had deeper connections to politicians and other powerful people who abused young women.

S. Combs faces more than 100 new charges

Combs' spokesman said the rapper is strong, healthy and focused on his defence. He was previously placed on suicide watch, but is reportedly no longer on suicide watch and is being visited by family members.

S. Combs is facing a total of more than 100 new charges of assault. The youngest victim is said to have been nine years old. According to the victims' lawyer, Tony Buzbee, the total number of alleged victims he represents is 120, half of them men and half of them women from more than 25 US states. Buzbee, who is based in Texas, added that 25 of the alleged victims he represents were minors. 

This is the first time that Combs has been accused of child sexual abuse

The allegations in the lawsuits against Combs date back to the 1990s, when he set up his own record label, Bad Boy Records, which Rolling Stone called "one of the most influential hip-hop labels of all time". However, most incidents occurred after 2015^[4].

Combs' lawyer, Erica Wolff, says the rapper "emphatically and categorically" denies the allegations, saying they are "false and defamatory". Despite the singer's testimony, most of the plaintiffs claim to have been raped during Combs' parties, which took place at private residences and hotels. The parties were allegedly for auditions, album releases or New Year's and US Independence Day parties.

"The biggest secret in the entertainment industry has finally been revealed to the world, breaking down the wall of silence," said Buzbee. As this is not a class action, each alleged victim will be sued individually.

Combs was arrested in September of this year.