By Allan Lengel
Federal authorities on Tuesday unsealed an indictment charging global hip hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs with racketeering and sex trafficking. They alleged Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams at a press conference described sex performances known as “Freak Offs.” He alleged that Combs organized the transportation of commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally.
“He maintained control over the victims in several ways, including by giving them drugs, by giving and threatening to take away financial support or housing, by promising them career opportunities, by monitoring their whereabouts, and even by dictating their physical appearance,” Williams said.
Williams said Comb also videotaped sessions and threatened to release them if people did not comply with his wishes.
The arrest came almost a year after the first of 10 sexual assault lawsuits was filed against Combs, the Washington Post reports.
