Friday, June 27, 2025 - Sean "Diddy" Combs operated a criminal enterprise for more than two decades, using “power, violence, and fear” to commit a series of brutal crimes, prosecutors said Thursday, June 26, during closing arguments in his federal trial.
Speaking for nearly five hours, lead prosecutor Christy
Slavik painted a damning portrait of the 55-year-old music mogul, accusing him
of believing his “fame, wealth, and power” placed him above the law.
“He’s the leader of a criminal
enterprise,” Slavik told the court. “He doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. And
now you know about many crimes he committed with members of his inner circle.”
The prosecution alleges Combs engaged in racketeering, sex
trafficking, forced labor, arson, and bribery, detailing a pattern of abuse
spanning two decades. Slavik said the rapper coerced his ex-girlfriend Cassie
Ventura and another woman, known only as Jane, into drug-fueled sexual
performances — which Combs allegedly called “freak offs,” “hotel nights,” or
“king nights.”
“He used power, violence, and fear
to get what he wanted,” Slavik said. “He thought he was untouchable.”
Combs faces one count of racketeering conspiracy, two charges
of sex trafficking, and two charges of transportation for the purpose of
prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and has denied all allegations of
sexual abuse.
Slavik detailed how Combs used a “small army” of employees —
including bodyguards, assistants, and other staff — to facilitate and conceal
his crimes. She claimed the group committed hundreds of racketeering acts,
including the distribution of drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine,
MDMA, and Oxycodone. Some of these substances were allegedly procured by staff,
while others were found during federal raids on Combs’s properties.
The jury also saw video footage purportedly showing Combs
physically assaulting Cassie at the InterContinental Hotel. During the
screening, Combs reportedly looked away, appearing dejected and withdrawn.
Among the most disturbing accusations: that Combs ordered the
kidnapping of his personal assistant Capricorn Clark, locked a girlfriend in a
hotel room after stomping on her face, and even tried to blow up rapper Kid
Cudi’s car
Combs’s legal team has acknowledged instances of domestic
violence, but insists no federal crimes were committed. They argue that the
women participated willingly in the alleged sex acts, the drugs were for
personal use, and that no conspiracy existed, as employees never agreed to
commit crimes.
However, Slavik pushed back forcefully in her closing,
arguing that staff members repeatedly took part in criminal activities under
Combs’s direction.
“Before today, he was able to get
away with it due to his money, power, and influence,” Slavik said. “But that
stops now. It’s time to hold him accountable. It’s time for justice. It’s time
to find him guilty.”
Combs has been held at a New York correctional facility since
his arrest in September 2024. If convicted on all charges, he faces a minimum
sentence of 15 years, and could be sentenced to life in prison
On Friday, his lead attorney Marc Agnifilo is expected to
deliver the defence's closing argument, followed by a government rebuttal.
Judge Arun Subramanian will then instruct the jury, which may begin
deliberations by late afternoon
The 12-member jury must reach a unanimous verdict to convict
on any of the charges.
0 Comments