Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Facing May Trial: Here Are All The Major Allegations And Latest News

NEW YORK — Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in Manhattan federal court Thursday afternoon as a judge set a May 5 trial date in the music mogul’s racketeering and sex trafficking case.

The judge also gave prosecutors an end-of-the-year deadline to turn evidence over to the defense.

Combs, 54, was accused in September of leading a criminal enterprise to sexually abuse and exploit women, commit other violent crimes and obstruct justice. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He could be imprisoned for life if found guilty.

The hip-hop impresario grinned widely as he greeted his defense team in court ahead of the hearing. As it wrapped up, Combs looked toward the gallery at his family members, holding up his hands in a praying gesture and bowing several times in their direction.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian — who last week replaced the case’s previous judge, Andrew L. Carter Jr. — also took up allegations from Combs’s legal team that government agents are trying to sabotage his right to a fair trial.

In a Wednesday court filing, attorneys for Combs said they believe that one or more Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents unlawfully leaked information and evidence to the media — including a 2016 video obtained by CNN of Combs viciously beating Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel — in an attempt to “savage Mr. Combs’ reputation before trial.”