From global music legend to modern slavery charges – the downfall of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs

*Trigger warning: story includes mention of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse.

American rapper, record executive, and entrepreneur Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is facing shocking charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Once a public supporter of the #MeToo movement and a recipient of Howard University’s honorary degree (revoked since last year’s allegations) and MTV’s Global Icon Award, Combs’ alleged offenses cast light on a dark truth—modern slavery lurks in plain sight.

Bad boy for life – no pun intended

As reported by The Independent, Combs’ downfall began last November when three women filed lawsuits accusing the rapper of abuse. The most damning allegations came from Cassandra Ventura A.K.A Cassie, a singer that Combs publicly dated for years before their break-up in 2018. Ventura accused Combs of physical abuse, rape, exposing her to a life of excessive alcohol and substance abuse, and forcing her to procure illicit prescriptions and carry firearms for him. But the accusations grew darker: Ventura alleged he coerced her into participating in “Freak Offs,” where she performed sexual acts with male sex workers while Combs watched and masturbated.

Combs denied the allegations made by Ventura but quickly settled the lawsuit. However, in May CNN published CCTV footage showing Combs physically abusing Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. In addition, the indictment unsealed this week, aligned with Ventura’s allegations.

As cited by The Guardian:

“The document contains remarkably graphic details, including that Combs would force sex-trafficking victims to engage in group sex acts with associates of his that he referred to as “freak offs” – sometimes for days at a time – while he recorded video of the encounters and masturbated to them. The encounters were so physically exhausting for him and his victims — whom he would force to ingest drugs – that all “typically received IV fluids to recover” …”

1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant 

In March, federal agents raided Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami homes following ongoing investigations including a lawsuit filed against Combs by a former male employee for sexual harassment and threats. The indictment revealed that among the recovered items were “more than 1,000” bottles of baby oil and lubricant, allegedly used during “Freak Offs”, indicating that Combs coerced his victims to participate using physical, emotional, and verbal abuse.

It continued:

“Combs maintained control over his victims through, among other things, physical violence, promises of career opportunities, granting and threatening to withhold financial support, and by other coercive means, including tracking their whereabouts, dictating the victims’ appearance, monitoring their medical records, controlling their housing, and supplying them with controlled substances.”

Following the raid, former college basketball player, Brendan Paul was also arrested for allegedly serving as a drug mule for Combs.

This week, Combs appeared before a New York Judge on charges spanning over a decade. Although Combs’ lawyer proclaimed his innocence, the judge denied bail. Prosecution portrayed Combs as the leader of a “criminal enterprise” who “used the Combs Business, including certain employees, to carry out, facilitate and cover up his abuse and commercial sex…”

Freedom United stands firmly with the victims, urging that justice be delivered and accountability ensured. Only through such actions can survivors begin their path to healing and reclaim their power.