UPDATE: DIDDY DENIED BAIL
Less than 24 hours after Diddy's arrest, the music mogul appeared in Manhattan Federal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Despite his attorneys' attempt to secure a $50m bond, he will remain in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center until his RICO trial begins. According to the Associated Press, "In deciding to deny Combs bail, [U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn] Tarnofsky said she has 'very significant concerns' about Combs' substance abuse and 'what appears to be anger issues.' Tarnofsky said she considered alternatives but doesn't think it's sufficient because so much of what's alleged happened behind closed doors."
Combs faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Bad Boy Records mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was arrested on multiple RICO charges Monday night (9/16). Per the 14-page indictment, he's been charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion and transporting for prostitution.
The indictment accuses Diddy of engaging in “a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals," elaborating, "This abuse was, at times, verbal, emotional, physical and sexual.”
"For decades, Sean Combs abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct," the complaint reads. "To do so, Combs relied on the employees, resources and influence of his multifaceted business empire. During raids of his residences in Miami and Los Angeles, authorities seized firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and a drum magazine.” The disgraced CEO was arrested at the Park Hyatt Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
If convicted, Diddy faces life in prison. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, held a press conference Tuesday morning (9/17) to discuss the three-count indictment.
