By Antoinette Radford, Elise Hammond, Eric Levenson, Kara Scannell and Emma Tucker, CNN
Updated 5:02 AM EDT, Wed September 18, 2024
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorney on whether the star was surprised by his arrest
01:42 - Source: CNN
What we covered here today
- No bail: Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail and taken into custody Tuesday after pleading not guilty in federal court to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Prosecutors argued the music mogul should not be released because he had previously reached out to witnesses and victims.
- About the indictment: Prosecutors allege Combs created and ran a “criminal enterprise” through his business empire that engaged in crimes including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice, according to the federal indictment. Read the full indictment here.
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Read the latest on our coverage of Sean Combs’ arrest here
Sean “Diddy” Combs will be held at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn
From CNN's John MillerSean “Diddy” Combs will be held by himself at the Special Housing Unit in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until his next court appearance Wednesday afternoon, according to a law enforcement official.
The special housing unit is separate from the general prison population and is used to house inmates who require additional protection, among other reasons.
Many high-profile individuals have been temporarily held in MDC — including R. Kelly, Sam Bankman-Fried and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Combs will appeal the decision to hold him without bail in front of US District Court Judge Andrew Carter on Wednesday. If the appeal is denied, Combs will be remanded back to the detention center.
What happened in court today: Combs was denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, a federal judge ruled. His lawyer said after the hearing they would appeal the decision. Combs also pled not guilty to the charges against him.
Combs remains in custody after today's hearing. Here's what the defense lawyer and prosecutors said in court
From CNN staffA federal judge ruled Tuesday Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in custody while the case against him plays out – a decision his lawyer said would be appealed Wednesday.
Here’s what prosecutors and the defense argued during Combs’ detention hearing:
Federal prosecutors said at least a dozen witnesses personally observed the music mogul’s violence against women or the injuries they sustained at his hands.
Prosecutors also noted Combs had reached out to victims and witnesses, some of whom are scared of him.
Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson said Combs’ alleged efforts to cover up and obstruct investigations were additional reasons for detainment, citing a March 2016 incident captured on hotel surveillance that shows him beating his then-girlfriend at a Los Angeles hotel as “critical” evidence of his physical danger.
Johnson said Combs should be detained because he is a “serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” adding pretrial services also recommended detention.
Combs’ defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked the court to allow his client to remain out on bond prior to trial, saying he had no plans to flee and had “earned” the court’s trust.
Combs came to New York less than two weeks ago believing that an indictment was imminent, Agnifilo said. The rapper came to surrender because he didn’t want anybody to be hurt if he was arrested at home.
He also said the indictment was “arguably better than we imagined” given the flurry of lawsuits from multiple accusers over the past year.”
The attorney argued the 2016 assault video is not evidence of sex trafficking, as prosecutors suggested, but evidence of Combs “having more than one girlfriend and getting caught.”
You can read more takeaways from the indictment here.
Combs' lawyer expresses frustration with prosecutors after hearing
From CNN's Laura DolanSpeaking to reporters after Tuesday’s bail hearing, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo sounded frustrated with thefederal prosecutors after Combs was arrestedthe previous night.
“He came here to turn himself in.Why doesn’t the government want him to turn himself in? Because then they can’t ask for detention,”Agnifilo said.
“All we can do is show good faith. He got on a plane and he came here,” he added. “They arrested a guy who came here to turn himself in.”
Agnifilo said he will argue the same points again Wednesday, when a different judge will hear their appeal at 3:30 p.m. ET at the same New York courthouse.
“We’ll make it as much as we can until we get him out.”
Combs' lawyer says they will appeal judge's decision to deny bail
From CNN's Elise HammondAttorney Marc Agnifilo speaks to the press outside court in New York on Tuesday.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer said his team is going to appeal the decision to hold the hip-hop artist and music mogul without bail.
Judge Robyn Tarnofsky ruled on Tuesday that Combs will stay in custody while the case plays out. Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The lawyer reiterated that he believes Combs “didn’t do these things.” Combs pleaded not guilty to all of the charges earlier today.
Agnifilo said the bail appeal will take place in the same courtroom on Wednesday, in front of a different judge.
Judge denies bail and Combs will stay in custody
From CNN's Kara ScannellSean "Diddy" Combs stands before US Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky in federal court in New York on Tuesday.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
Judge Robyn Tarnofsky toldhim her concern is “this is a crime that happens behind closed doors, even whenpretrial services is monitoring.”
Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The judge told Combs there were no conditions she could find to assure her that he would appear in court if released. Combs’ defense attorneys proposed to put him on home detention with a $50 million bond secured by his Miami residence, according to a bail motion earlier today.
Combs did not react when the judge made her ruling. He took a sip of water from a bottle at the table before he was led out of the courtroom.
This post has been updated.
Judge is back in courtroom after brief recess
From CNN's Kara ScannellJudge Robyn Tarnofsky has returned to the courtroom after taking a brief recess, with pretrial services joining her in the robing room.
This headline and post have been updated
Combs' attorney: Assault video evidence of "more than one girlfriend and getting caught,” not of trafficking
From CNN's Kara ScannellThe hotel surveillance video that shows Sean “Diddy” Combs beating his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in 2016 is not evidence of sex trafficking, as prosecutors suggested, according to Combs’ attorney.
Leading up the the actions on the video, Combs’ attorney said Ventura discovered Combs had more than one girlfriend.
“She hit him in the head with her cellphone” while he was sleeping and left him in the hotel room with no clothes, Agnifilo said.
More context: In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators. Combs, holding a towel around his waist,runs down a hall after Ventura. He grabs her by the back of the neck and throws her to the floor. Still holding his towel closed with one hand, he then turns to kick her, the video shows.
As Ventura is on the ground, Combs retrieves a purse and suitcase from the floor near the elevators. He turns around and kicks Ventura again as she lies motionless on the floor. About 4 seconds transpire between the two kicks, according to the video. He then briefly drags Ventura by her sweatshirt toward a room before walking away.
After the video came out, Combs apologized for assaulting Ventura, saying in a video statement posted on Instagram, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
CNN’s Sandra Gonzalez and Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed reporting to this post.
Diddy's attorney says indictment is "arguably better than we imagined"
From CNN's Kara ScannellAn attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs said in court Tuesday that the federal indictment against him was “arguably better than we imagined” given the flurry of lawsuits from multiple accusers over the past year.
Attorney Marc Agnifilo made the argument as he asked the court to allow Combs to remain out of jail ahead of his trial on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
The case, he argued, is about one victim and a 10-year relationship that involved occasional sex with a third party.“The government never says anybodydidn’tconsent” in the indictment, he said.
In a rebuttal, Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson rejected those points. “I want to clarify the record—we are most certainly proceeding on a theory of lack of consent,” she said.
“Thisis nota case about one victim. There are multiple victims,” she added.
Since last November, Combs has beenhit with 10 lawsuits – nine directly accusing him of sexual assault.
Diddy's attorney pledges he won't flee and has "earned" court's trust
From CNN's Kara ScannellMembers of the media wait outside Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on September 17 in New York.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked the court to allow Sean “Diddy” Combs to remain out on bond prior to trial, saying he had no plans to flee and noting Combs had “earned” the court’s trust.
“Trust is earned and we have earned it,” Agnifilo said.
Combs came to New York less than two weeks ago believing that an indictment was imminent, Agnifilo said. The rapper came to surrender because hedidn’twant anybody to be hurt if he was arrested at home.
“We took this investigation absolutely seriously,” Agnifilo said.
Agnifilo said he took Combs’ and his family members’ passports and reported all of his domestic travel since he became involved in the investigation as a show to prosecutors they were taking this seriously. In addition, Combs is in treatment and therapy, which Agnifilo says is a reason for his release.
The attorneys wrote in a letter to the court that he should be placed on home detention with a $50 million bond secured by his Miami resident.
Combs has reached out to witnesses and victims, according to prosecutor
From CNN's Kara ScannellFederal prosecutors are arguing that Sean “Diddy” Combs should not be released on bail because he has reached out to witnesses and victims — and some witnesses say they are scared of him.
Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson told the judge Tuesday that the investigation uncovered evidence of Combs allegedly assaulting victims by choking, hitting, kicking and dragging victims, often by their hair.
Combs has reached out to some victims, according to Johnson. After Dawn Richard, a former member of a music group Combs started, filed her lawsuit on September 10, Combs reached out to another member of the band who publicly denied the allegations three days later. Johnson said Combs called and texted that other woman 58 times in four days.
Richard has accused Combs of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment, among other allegations,in a civil lawsuit filed in New York federal court.
According to Johnson, Combs also reached out to a different victim after she filed a lawsuit in November. Combs tried to contact that person twice over three days. In a recorded call, Combs urged the victim — who was financially dependent on him — to say she willingly engaged in sex acts, Johnson said.
The prosecutor said “the risk of danger is acute” if Combs were to be released on bail.
Johnson cited other high-profile cases where the defendants were detained, including cases againstR. Kelly,Jeffrey Epstein and Keith Raniere.
Prosecutor, arguing that Combs should be detained, says CNN video of 2016 assault is "critical" evidence
From CNN's Kara ScannellFederal prosecutors argued Sean “Diddy” Combs should be detained ahead of trial in part because he has previously tried to cover up and obstruct investigations, including in a March 2016 incident captured on hotel surveillance.
The surveillance video exclusively obtained by CNN showing Combs beating his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, the artist known as “Cassie,” at a Los Angeles hotel is “critical” evidence of his physical danger and his effort to obstruct, Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson said.
Combs attempted to bribe a hotel security officer with a handful of cash, which the officer refused, she said. Days later, the surveillance video disappeared from the hotel servers, she said.
“That is not a coincidence,” Johnson said.
In November 2023,Ventura sued Combsand accused him of rape and years of abuse, and an attorney for Combs said he “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.” They settled thelawsuit a day after it was filed.
But when CNN published the explosive surveillance video in May, Diddyposted an Instagram video apologizing.
“My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he said.
Johnson argued that his denials prior to the video’s publication makes “crystal clear you cannot take defendant at his word. He lies to cover things up.”
“The risk of danger is acute,” Johnson said. “Witnesses have universally expressed fear of the defendant.”
Prosecutor now arguing in court that Combs should remain in custody
From CNN's Kara ScannellAssistant US Attorney Emily Johnson is arguing that Sean “Diddy” Combs should remain in custody while the case against him plays out.
It is part of the detention hearing happening in federal court right now in front of Judge Robyn Tarnofsky.
Combs pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges minutes ago.
Johnson said Combs should stay in detention because he is a “serial abuser and a serial obstructor.” Johnson said pretrial services also recommended detention.
The attorney said at least a dozen witnesses personally observed Combs’ violence toward women or the injuries they sustained at the hands of Combs.Johnson also cited Combs’ access to weapons.
“What sets this case apart from others,” Johnson said, is Combs acts to obstruct the investigation.
Sean "Diddy" Combs pleads not guilty
From CNN's Kara Scannell and Elise HammondSean "Diddy" Combs and his defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo stand before US Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky after prosecutors brought three criminal charges against him in federal court in New York on Tuesday.
Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges in court Tuesday afternoon.
He stood briefly and said “not guilty,” in a clear voice, according to the CNN correspondent in the courtroom. There are no cameras allowed inside.
The indictment from the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York charges Combs with three counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs is in the courtroom
From CNN's Kara ScannellSean “Diddy” Combs has entered the New York courtroom.
He walked into the courtroom wearing a black T-shirt and gray workout pants with a black stripe down the side, looking stunned.
His hands were clasped behind his back and not cuffed.He walked into the room from a side door and sat between his attorneys.
Two US marshals are standing behind him and the courtroom is silent, awaiting the judge.
Combs' attorneys argue he should be released on bail as case plays out, motion says
From CNN's Elise HammondSean “Diddy” Combs’ attorneys are arguing that the media mogul should be released on bail ahead of a trial, according to a letter to the judge on Tuesday.
It comes after federal prosecutors previously said he should be kept in custody while the racketeering and sex trafficking case against him proceeds.
In the letter, Combs’ attorneys told the court that their client “is not a risk of flight or a danger to anyone in the community.” That is in direct contrast to prosecutors saying Combs was a flight risk “even without a passport, private plane, or multiple residences,” according to the detention letter in which they laid out the Combs’ resources.
The defense attorneys argued that Combs “travelled to New York to self-surrender” when it was apparent that he would be formally charged. This, among other examples included in the letter of how Combs has been cooperative throughout the investigation, is a display of Combs’ “trustworthiness and lack of flight risk,” his lawyers said.
Combs’ defense attorneys proposed to put him on home detention with a $50 million bond secured by his Miami residence, according to the motion. Prosecutors previously argued that that was “plainly insufficient.”
Key things to know from the indictment against Sean "Diddy" Combs
From CNN's Eric LevensonA three-count federal indictment from the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York against the hip hop artist Sean “Diddy” Combs lays out in an overarching summary the serious and sprawling allegations against him.
Combs was charged with three counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the indictment.
Combs accused of leading criminal enterprise: The first charge in the indictment is racketeering conspiracy, a federal crime used to target organized criminal syndicates, known as an “enterprise,” such as the Mafia. In Combs’ case, according to the indictment, the “Combs Enterprise” consisted of:
- Combs, the leader
- Business entities, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment
- Employees and associates, including security staff, household staff, personal assistants and high-ranking supervisors, the indictment states.
Indictment notes 2016 video of Combs beating woman: The indictment accuses Combs of years of abuse and specifically notesthe surveillance video exclusively obtained by CNNshowing him beating his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, the artist known as Cassie, at a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016. Combs “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals,” the indictment states. “This abuse was, at times, verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual.”
Law enforcement seized guns and “Freak Off” supplies in raids of Combs’ homes: Law enforcement seized guns, ammo, drugs and a huge collection of baby oil and lubricant duringsearches of Combs’ homesin Miami and Los Angeles in March, according to the indictment. The indictment alleges Combs held what he called “Freak Offs,” or elaborate sex performances in which he drugged and coerced victims into extended sex acts with male sex workers. In addition, the indictment alleges Combs’ associates at times carried firearms and accuses Combs of brandishing firearms “to intimidate and threaten others.”
Former member of music group formed by Combs is grateful for DOJ charges, attorney says
From CNN's Kara ScannellSean 'Diddy' Combs and Dawn Richard of Diddy-Dirty Money perform in 2010.
An attorney for a former member of Danity Kane, a musical group formed by Sean “Diddy” Combs, told CNN that his client “is grateful the DOJ has decided to pursue” charges against the media mogul and that she’s looking forward to a fair trial.
Dawn Richard has accused Combs of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment, among other allegations, in a civil lawsuit filed in New York federal court last week. Her attorney Arick Fudali said that more than anything his client wants the truth to come out.
The lawyer would not comment on whether his client would testify in the federal case against Combs, but did say that given the allegations of witness intimidation in the case, “we’re not going to be intimidated, certainly Ms. Richard is not going to be intimidated.”
Combs is still a flight risk, prosecutors argue, even though he's trying to sell a house and plane
From CNN's Elise HammondSean “Diddy” Combs is trying to sell his house in Los Angeles and his plane — but federal prosecutors argue he should still be kept in custody while the racketeering and sex trafficking case against him proceeds.
The prosecutors filed a letter outlining that Combs has “access to dozens of bank accounts — some personal and many under corporate entities — which contain millions of dollars.” The letter also said Combs has owned a personal plane since about 2019, as well as multiple vehicles in various locations.
Combs’ defense lawyers have his passport and the passports of several of his family members, the letter said.
“As explained above, however, the defendant’s vast resources make him a flight risk even without a passport, private plane, or multiple residences,” prosecutors argue.
Combs’ defense attorneys proposed to put him on home detention with a $50 million bond secured by his Miami residence. Prosecutors argued in the detention letter that that was “plainly insufficient.”
CNN’s Eric Levenson and Nicki Brown contributed reporting to this post.
"When Combs didn't get his way, he was violent," US attorney alleges
From CNN's Antoinette RadfordUS District Attorney for New York’s Southern District Damian Williams alleged that Sean “Diddy” Combs could become “violent” when he “didn’t get his way.”
“When Combsdidn’tgethisway,he wasviolent and he subjectedvictims of physical, emotional,and verbal abuse so that theywould participate in the Freak Offs,” he said in a Tuesday news conference.
He also outlined that “Combs hit, kicked, threw objects at and dragged victims — at times by their hair,” Williams said.
As a reminder: A “Freak Off” was a sex performance that was allegedly planned and controlled by Combs, in which he electronically recorded victims and supplied them with narcotics.
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