New York wakes up under the weight of one of the most talked-about cases in the entertainment industry. On Monday, May 5, 2025, rapper and mogul Sean Combs, known as P. Diddy, faces the first day of his trial at Manhattan Federal Court, charged with serious crimes including sex trafficking, extortion, and conspiracy. The artist’s arrest on September 16, 2024, triggered a wave of allegations and placed well-known names from music and film under scrutiny. Expectations for the trial are high, with media and the public closely following the details that may emerge in the coming days.
The case, involving over 120 victims, 25 of whom were minors at the time of the alleged crimes, promises to be a landmark in holding powerful figures accountable. The accusations against Combs span decades of alleged abuses, with prosecutors claiming he used his business empire to manipulate and silence victims. Celebrities like Cassie Ventura, Usher, and Cuba Gooding Jr. are among those linked to the scandal, either as witnesses or figures mentioned in related lawsuits.
The trial, expected to last at least three weeks, will likely reveal recordings, testimonies, and evidence gathered from searches at Combs’ properties in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. Among the seized items are over a thousand bottles of lubricants, drugs like ketamine and ecstasy, and modified firearms, underscoring the severity of the charges. Below are some key points dominating the headlines:
- Main charges: Sex trafficking, extortion, conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution, with potential life sentences.
- Celebrity involvement: Names like Cassie Ventura and Cuba Gooding Jr. appear in related lawsuits.
- Cultural impact: The case reignites debates about power abuse in the music industry.
- Timeline: Allegations date back to 1990, with new lawsuits emerging through 2025.
Initial reactions in court
Hundreds of journalists and onlookers gathered outside Manhattan Federal Court on the morning of May 5. Combs, dressed in a beige inmate uniform, was seen greeting his mother, Janice Combs, and his children before the hearing began. Judge Arun Subramanian, overseeing the case, opened the session by emphasizing the need for an impartial jury, a challenge given the intense media coverage. Prosecutor Emily Johnson outlined the charges, describing a scheme that operated for over a decade, involving coercion and violence.
The defense, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, insists on the rapper’s innocence. In his initial statements, Agnifilo argued that the activities described as “freak-offs” were consensual sexual encounters without criminal elements. He also criticized alleged leaks of information by federal agents, including a 2016 video showing Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura in a hotel. The prosecution, in turn, denied any misconduct in handling the case.
Origin of the accusations
The allegations against Sean Combs gained traction in November 2023, when Cassie Ventura, the rapper’s ex-girlfriend, filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape, sex trafficking, and physical assaults over a decade. The lawsuit was settled out of court within 24 hours, but its impact lingered. In the following months, other victims came forward, detailing incidents dating back to the 1990s. In March 2024, agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security raided Combs’ mansions, seizing evidence that supported his arrest months later.
One of the gravest accusations involves the so-called “freak-offs,” sexual events allegedly orchestrated by Combs. Women were reportedly lured with promises of music careers or financial support, only to be drugged and coerced into recorded acts. These videos, the prosecution claims, were used to ensure victims’ silence. Firearms and physical threats completed the cycle of intimidation.
- First public complaint: Cassie Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit paved the way for others.
- Police raids: March 2024 marked the escalation of investigations.
- Material evidence: Drugs, weapons, and lubricants were found at Combs’ properties.
- Scale of accusations: Over 40 civil lawsuits were filed by January 2025.
Celebrities at the center of the scandal
The involvement of well-known figures amplifies attention to the case. Cassie Ventura, who met Combs at 19, is a key witness. Her 2023 lawsuit describes a relationship marked by abuse, including physical assaults captured on video. Cuba Gooding Jr., an Oscar-winning actor, was named in a lawsuit by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, Combs’ former producer. Jones alleges Gooding sexually harassed him on a yacht, under the rapper’s direction.
Usher, mentored by Combs in the 1990s, described uncomfortable experiences living with the rapper but has not commented on recent allegations. Other celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez and Yung Miami, appear in peripheral contexts, either through past relationships with Combs or mentions in lawsuits. Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who hosted a birthday party for the rapper in 2023, deleted photos with him from social media after the allegations surfaced.
Details of the criminal scheme
The prosecution paints a grim picture of Combs’ empire. Prosecutors claim Bad Boy Entertainment, the rapper’s record label, served as a front for illicit activities. Employees and associates allegedly helped organize the “freak-offs,” transporting victims across state lines. Drugs like ketamine, ecstasy, and GHB were used to incapacitate participants, while recordings ensured control over them.
In one of the latest lawsuits, a woman claimed she was abused by Combs and two unidentified celebrities in 2000, when she was 16. She described being drugged and raped while Combs and others watched. The defense denies the allegations, labeling them as extortion attempts. However, the volume of civil lawsuits, exceeding 40, reinforces the perception of a pattern of behavior.
- Modus operandi: Use of drugs and recordings to coerce victims.
- Business structure: Bad Boy Entertainment allegedly facilitated the crimes.
- Minor victims: At least 25 individuals were teenagers at the time of the alleged abuses.
- Crime locations: New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas are cited in lawsuits.
- Timeframe of allegations: From 1990 to 2023, according to prosecutors.
Defense’s moves
Combs’ legal team is working tirelessly to dismantle the accusations. Beyond denying the crimes, the lawyers claim the rapper is a victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by authorities and the media. A $50 million bail request was denied by two judges, who deemed Combs a community risk. The defense also requested a gag order to limit public statements from witnesses, fearing influence over the jury.
In February 2025, attorney Anthony Ricco withdrew from the case, citing difficulties in continuing representation. Marc Agnifilo, who remains lead counsel, criticized the prosecution for alleged evidence leaks, such as the Cassie Ventura video. Tensions between the parties were evident during the March 14 hearing, when a new forced labor charge was introduced against Combs.
Repercussions in the industry
Combs’ case shakes the music industry. Brands like Macy’s and Revolt TV severed ties with the rapper, while Hulu canceled a reality show about his family. Documentaries, such as Netflix’s “Diddy Do It” and Investigation Discovery’s “The Fall of Diddy,” explore the allegations with testimonies from victims and associates. The narrative of power abuse resonates in a moment when the #MeToo movement continues to expose influential figures.
Artists who worked with Combs, like Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans, avoid public comments. The rapper’s arrest rekindles discussions about protecting young talent in the industry. Many question how such an extensive scheme went unnoticed for so long, especially in a sector known for its closeness between artists and executives.
- Commercial cancellations: Macy’s, Revolt TV, and Hulu ended partnerships with Combs.
- Documentaries in production: Netflix, Peacock, and Investigation Discovery cover the case.
- Allies’ silence: Close artists refrain from taking a stance.
- Cultural debate: The case fuels criticism of unchecked power in entertainment.
Timeline of events
Combs’ scandal did not emerge overnight. The first public allegations date back to 2017, when chef Cindy Rueda sued the rapper for sexual harassment. The case was settled in 2019 but went largely unnoticed. Cassie Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit changed the landscape, encouraging other victims to come forward. Combs’ arrest in September 2024 marked a turning point, with police searches uncovering material evidence.
In January 2025, new civil lawsuits detailed abuses against minors, while the prosecution expanded criminal charges. The March 2025 hearing introduced the forced labor allegation, reinforcing Combs’ controlling profile. Each new complaint broadens the case’s scope, now spanning over three decades.
Peripheral figures in the case
Beyond the central names, other celebrities appear in secondary narratives. 50 Cent, a longtime rival of Combs, announced a documentary on the allegations, pledging profits to victims. He also accused the rapper of involvement in Tupac Shakur’s death, a claim Combs has denied since 2008. Duane “Keefe D” Davis, arrested for Tupac’s murder, echoed the narrative but without concrete evidence.
Jennifer Lopez, who dated Combs from 1999 to 2001, has not commented on the case. A 2001 incident involving Thalia Graves mentions the period when Lopez was with the rapper, but without implicating her directly. The silence of figures like Naomi Campbell and Janet Jackson, seen at events with Combs, fuels speculation on social media.
- 50 Cent: Producing a documentary and reviving Tupac accusations.
- Jennifer Lopez: Past relationship with Combs is noted, but no direct involvement.
- Naomi Campbell: Deleted photos with the rapper after allegations.
- Janet Jackson: Presence at Combs’ party sparks speculation.
- Thalia Graves: Accused Combs of rape in 2001, without directly naming others.
Trial expectations
The jury selection process, started on the morning of May 5, faces hurdles. Combs’ fame and media coverage complicate finding jurors without preconceived opinions. Prosecutors plan to present witnesses, videos, and financial records to support the charges. The defense aims to discredit victims, alleging financial motives behind the civil lawsuits.
The prosecution estimates the trial will last at least three weeks, while the defense believes one week will suffice. Combs remains at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, described as having harsh conditions. His family, including his mother and children, continues to support him, attending hearings and visiting him in prison.
New allegations in focus
As the trial begins, new civil lawsuits emerge. Seven complaints, filed in October 2024, describe abuses at parties hosted by Combs between 2000 and 2022. Three women and four men, identified as Jane or John Doe, claim they were drugged and assaulted. One complaint mentions the presence of unidentified celebrities, heightening curiosity about who else may be named.
The forced labor charge, introduced in March 2025, details how Combs allegedly compelled employees to work long hours and threatened punishment if they did not comply with the scheme. These allegations reinforce the image of a mogul who used his power to control everyone around him, from artists to assistants.
- New lawsuits: Seven civil complaints were filed in October 2024.
- Forced labor charge: Employees were coerced into supporting the scheme.
- Anonymous victims: Three women and four men report abuses at parties.
- Unidentified celebrities: New complaints mention public figures present.
