(News Nation) — Sean Diddy Combs The defendant was arrested in Manhattan on Monday following a grand jury indictment, his lawyer said in a statement.
Combs' attorney, Mark Anifilo, released the following statement: “We are disappointed in the U.S. Attorney's Office's decision to pursue this unjustified prosecution against Mr. Combs.”
He called the hip-hop mogul an “imperfect human being,” adding, “To his credit, Mr. Combs has cooperated fully with this investigation and voluntarily moved to New York last week in anticipation of the charges. Please reserve judgment until all the facts are known.”
A representative for Combs told NewsNation that he is scheduled to appear in federal court at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
It's not clear what charges the rapper was arrested on, but he was accused of multiple counts of sexual misconduct. Alleged assault He has denied all allegations about the affair that lasted for more than 30 years.
Two of the rapper's properties were searched in raids by federal agents several months ago. Sex trafficking investigation underwayAccording to NewsNation affiliatesWPIXDuring the search, a firearm and a cell phone were seized from Combs' possession.
Two sources familiar with the situation told NBC News that federal investigatorsCombA subpoena has been filed for a jury in the Southern District of New York, but there is no confirmed connection to the reported arrest.
Formerly known as “Puff Daddy”After the lawsuit, Combs faced backlashBut he was once considered one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades.
The Bad Boy Records founder has worked with artists such as Notorious B.I.G, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil' Kim, Faith Evans and 112, as well as launching a fashion clothing line and a music-focused TV channel.
Diddy's accusations and lawsuits
The first lawsuit against Combs was filed in November 2023, when his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cathy” Ventura, filed suit in New York federal court alleging that Combs beat, raped and abused her during their relationship. She was 19 and he was 37 when they began.
The next day, the two The lawsuit was settled. — But further suspicions soon emerged.
In late November and early December 2023, Combs was accused of raping, sexually assaulting and assaulting multiple women between the early 1990s and 2003.
Music producer Rodney “Lil' Rod” Jones filed the lawsuit in February, alleging that Combs sexually assaulted him and forced him to have sex with prostitutes.
Combs' properties were subsequently searched and the investigation expanded in April. By July 4, 2024, Combs 10th Civil Litigation.
In September 2024, Combs was ordered to pay a massive $100 million after pleading no contest to sexual assault allegations in a lawsuit brought by a Michigan inmate.
As the allegations emerged, Combs' roles outside of music – including his high-margin private-label alcohol business, a media company and his Sean John fashion line – were hit hard.
The impact was compounded when a video of the assault was leaked. Howard University cuts ties With him, and he Returned the keys to New York City At the request of the Mayor.
NewsNation's Kathy Bookman and Safia Samee Ali and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
