Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial begins with opening statements
The children of Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the courthouse. The scene outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse for the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial with final jury selection and opening statements Monday. (Aristide Economopoulos/for The Washington Post)
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Opening statements for embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal sex trafficking trial will begin Monday at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York City. Combs, 55, faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The trial marks a stunning turn of events for the rapper, music executive and businessman once estimated by Forbes to be worth $740 million. His former girlfriend and employee, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, is expected to testify against him. In 2023, Ventura filed an explosive lawsuit against Combs, which was settled the following day. Since then, he has faced nearly 80 sexual assault lawsuits. Combs has denied all of the allegations against him.
Opening statements have begun in the sex-trafficking trial of Hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in New York
Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution
Some of the most severe allegations fall under the racketeering charge, which includes accusations of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sex, and threatening them with firearms or violence
He has denied all the charges against him and has rejected a plea deal
If found guilty, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison
