Sean Combs, 55, popularly known as 'P Diddy' faces multiple counts, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. If convicted on the most serious charges, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
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Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is headed to court on Monday as jury selection begins in a high-stakes criminal trial that could lead to a life sentence if he is convicted. The trial follows a bombshell civil lawsuit filed by his former longtime girlfriend, who has accused the music icon of sex trafficking and a pattern of abuse spanning years.
The civil suit, filed earlier this year, sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. In it, the unnamed plaintiff, described in court documents as a woman who was in a long-term relationship with Combs, alleged that the artist used his power and influence to control, exploit, and traffic her and other women.
Though Combs has vehemently denied the claims, federal prosecutors have now brought criminal charges that echo key details of the civil complaint, turning the legal spotlight on the Bad Boy Records founder.
Combs, 55, faces multiple counts, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. If convicted on the most serious charges, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
While Combs has long maintained his innocence, the criminal trial marks the first time the allegations against him will be scrutinised by a jury. Legal analysts say the proceedings will be pivotal—not just for Combs’ future, but for how the justice system addresses claims of sexual abuse and trafficking within elite circles.
“This is no longer a matter of tabloid speculation or civil litigation,” said criminal defence attorney Gerald Langford. “This is a federal criminal case, and the stakes are as high as they get.”
Combs has assembled a team of high-profile attorneys who plan to argue that the case is built on unreliable witnesses and politically motivated prosecutions. In a statement released by his legal team, Combs said: “I have never trafficked anyone. These allegations are false and driven by people seeking money and revenge.”
According to court filings, the alleged abuse began more than a decade ago, when Combs' accuser was a rising figure in the entertainment world. The lawsuit claims Combs lured her into a coercive relationship under the guise of mentorship and later subjected her to “systematic degradation,” including forced sex acts, intimidation, and surveillance.
The complaint also suggests that Combs used his network of employees and associates to help facilitate the alleged trafficking and to silence victims. Federal prosecutors have hinted that additional co-conspirators may be identified as the trial unfolds.
Combs, a Grammy-winning producer and entrepreneur, has long been seen as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop and entertainment. The trial could mark a dramatic fall from grace for the man who once boasted a billion-dollar business empire.
The music industry has remained largely silent in recent weeks, though several brands have quietly cut ties. Some artists formerly associated with Combs have spoken out, urging transparency and justice.