NEW YORK — Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of presiding over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women while using blackmail and acts of violence to keep his victims in line. Charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, the music mogul is accused of inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes dayslong sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs.” The indictment against him also refers obliquely to an attack on his former girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, that was captured on video.
The 54-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records is accused of striking, punching and dragging women, throwing objects and kicking them — and getting his personal assistants, security and household staff to help him hide it all. “Not guilty,” Combs told a court, standing to speak after listening to the allegations while showing little reaction, his uncuffed hands folded in his lap. Federal prosecutors called Combs dangerous and urged that he be jailed without bail.
“Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes.
Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson told a court.
She also said he had “extensive and exhaustive history of obstruction of justice,” including alleged bribery and witness intimidation. His lawyers, meanwhile, proposed that he be.