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'Forced women into paid sex': Diddy faces new trafficking charges
What's the story
Incarcerated music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is facing an expanded indictment filed by federal prosecutors on Thursday (US local time).
The new accusations claim the 55-year-old celebrity forced three more women into paid sexual activities. This comes after his initial indictment in September for sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Despite these serious allegations, Combs has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Diddy's trial is scheduled for May.
Legal proceedings
Combs's indictment expanded under the anti-sex-trafficking law
The new allegations against Combs were detailed in a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury.
Most of this indictment is similar to the first one but adds that Combs used "force, threats of force, and coercion" to pressure his alleged victims into "engaging in commercial sex acts."
In return, he allegedly provided them with "monetary payments, career opportunities, and payment of rent and housing expenses."
He has also been accused of once hanging someone off a hotel balcony.
Defense stance
Combs's lawyer dismisses new allegations as 'ridiculous theory'
Marc Agnifilo, Combs's lawyer, has dismissed the new indictment as having no new charged offenses.
He said that while the filing includes fresh allegations of criminal behavior, Combs still faces three counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and violating the Mann Act (an anti-sex-trafficking law).
Agnifilo criticized the prosecution's theory as "flawed," labeling it a "ridiculous theory" that two of Combs's former girlfriends were not girlfriends at all but were prostitutes.
Additional accusations
Combs's alleged involvement in drug-fueled sexual encounters
In the updated indictment, prosecutors extended the alleged racketeering conspiracy by four years, claiming it lasted from 2004 to 2024. The original indictment stated it began in 2008.
Along with the new charges, the government has also accused Combs of hiring male prostitutes for drug-fueled sexual encounters called "freak-offs."
These allegations further complicate the already complicated case against him.
"Mr. Combs is as committed as ever to fighting these charges and winning at trial," Agnifilo reportedly said.