Sean “Diddy” Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of forced labor in a federal investigation. The renowned music producer appeared yesterday in a Manhattan courtroom in New York, visibly disheveled with graying hair and a beard, where he attended procedural discussions between the lawyers and Judge Arun Subramanian.
The superseding indictment, made public on March 6, does not introduce new charges but expands the scope of the allegations against Combs. According to the prosecutor, the artist allegedly forced his employees to work long hours with little rest, exerting extreme control through threats, arson, physical violence, and damage to reputation. In some of the reported incidents, an employee was also allegedly coerced into engaging in sexual acts with him, while another was said to have been dangled from an apartment balcony.
Combs’ case is part of a broader investigation in which he is already facing charges such as racketeering, sex trafficking, and prostitution. These crimes are said to be part of a suspected scheme that lasted for decades.
The trial is set to begin on May 12, but in the meantime, the defense is attempting to dismantle some of the evidence against the rapper, including a video released by CNN showing Combs assaulting his ex-partner, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel in 2016.
The defendant’s lawyers have challenged the authenticity of the video, claiming it has been “substantially altered.” The network has reaffirmed its claims, stating that it has preserved the original copy of the footage.
Despite the accusatory framework, some former employees have publicly expressed their support for the mogul, describing him as a demanding leader capable of providing great inspiration.
Judge Subramanian has also asked the parties to reach an agreement on how and to what extent the video released by CNN can be used as evidence in the trial. In case of disagreement, formal motions will be needed to determine its admissibility. The case continues to attract significant media attention, placing Combs at the center of one of the most controversial legal battles in the entertainment world.
