US music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty on Monday to two new charges added to criminal assault and sex trafficking cases against him.
The modest indictment includes an additional fee for sex trafficking and one of the transports associated with women who prosecutors identified only as “victim 2.”
The 55-year-old Combs appeared in federal court in New York to deny charges that could spell out more prison time if a multi-billionaire entertainer was found guilty.
In a new accusation, prosecutors say for 20 years, the cousin “has been abused, threatened and forced, to satisfy his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and to force women around him to hide his actions.”
His business empire employees and resources have created a criminal enterprise that engages in crimes such as sex trafficking, forced labor, inducements, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice, prosecutors said.
The hip-hop tycoon has been accused of using threats and violence to sexually abuse people and forcing them to drug-fueled sex parties, and prosecutors claim they forced employees to work long hours, demanding silence.
He has denied all charges so far and claims that sexual activity is agreed.
The trial is scheduled to begin with a ju judge’s choice in May, but US media reported that one of his lawyers, Marc Agnifilo, said Monday that the defense might request a two-week delay to look into new evidence.
The judge gave defenses for two days to request in writing.
The public allegations are being built against the Grammy winner in late 2023 when singer Casandra Ventura was reportedly exposed to her for over a decade of forced physical force and drugs, and rape in 2018.
In addition to federal criminal cases, Combs faces a mountain of private lawsuits alleging tragic abuse by artists, with support from a loyal network of employees and peers.
The rap superstar has been in jail since September, during which time he began to age significantly, with salt and pepper hair.
