In a stunning scene played out in a Manhattan federal courtroom Tuesday, the once powerful music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was ordered locked up indefinitely on his pending racketeering and sex trafficking indictment . The billionaire founder of Bad Boy Entertainment was unceremoniously led away by U.S.
Marshals as his three adult sons watched. Moments earlier, U.S.
Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky denied Combs bail citing her “very significant concerns” with his alleged substance abuse, his “anger issues” and his alleged efforts behind closed doors to control the outcome of his prosecution. Tarnofsky said she considered alternatives – including Combs’ request that he be held in home detention with electronic monitoring and a $50 million bond secured by his Miami real estate – but it came down to an issue of “trust.
” “Your lawyer asked us to trust you – [I don’t think] you can trust yourself,” she said. At a later point, the judge said, “Your lawyer can’t control you.” Combs, 54, was arrested Monday night and appeared in court Tuesday for his arraignment.
He pleaded not guilty to the three-count indictment unsealed Tuesday morning. Prosecutors laid out a lengthy argument for why Combs should remain in custody, claiming his wealth and the severity of the charges made him a significant flight risk, and his alleged history of violence and sexual abuse made him a danger to the community. They also expressed their concern that Combs would inte.