On May 5, jury selection for the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, one of the most popular rappers and music moguls in the United States, begins in New York.
He is accused of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to participate in prostitution. He may be sentenced to life in jail if found guilty.
Numerous lawsuits have also been filed against the rapper by those who claim he has used his position of authority to drug, attack, rape, threaten, and silence others.
Mr. Combs has dismissed the individual lawsuits as efforts "for a quick payday" and entered a not guilty plea to the criminal accusations.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is who?
In the 1990s, Mr. Combs—also known as Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love—rose to prominence in the hip-hop industry.
His early success in music included launching the careers of Christopher Wallace, often known as Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G., and Mary J. Blige.
Faith Evans, Ma$e, 112, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Lopez were added to his music company, Bad Boy Records, which grew to become one of the most significant in the rap industry.
Outside of music, Mr. Combs had a successful commercial career. He signed a contract with the British beverage corporation Diageo to market the French vodka brand Cîroc.
His fifth album, The Love Album: Off the Grid, was released in 2023, and he received his first Grammy nomination as a solo artist. The MTV Awards also dubbed him a Global Icon.
What accusations and charges are made against Diddy?
Mr Combs faces two allegations of sex trafficking, two charges of transportation to participate in prostitution, and a racketeering conspiracy charge in a federal criminal prosecution.
The charge of racketeering conspiracy is linked to several of the most serious accusations.
Claims of abduction, drugging, and forcing women into sexual activity—sometimes with the use of guns or threats of violence—are included.
During a search of his Los Angeles home, police discovered more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and other items they said were meant for use in "freak off" orgies.
In addition, Mr. Combs is the target of other lawsuits alleging violence and rape.
More than 100 women and men from all around the United States have either filed or plan to file lawsuits against the rap mogul, according to Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney who handles some of these cases.
A woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe claimed in December 2023 that she was "gang raped" by Mr. Combs and others in 2003 when she was only 17 years old. She claimed to have received "copious amounts of drugs and alcohol" before to the assault.
The barrage of lawsuits was rejected by Mr. Combs' legal team as "clear attempts to garner publicity."
In late 2023, his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, popularly known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit against him, which sparked his present legal troubles. She said that he had raped and physically abused her.
A day after the case was filed, it was settled for an unknown sum, and Mr. Combs insisted on his innocence.
Since then, hundreds of individuals have sued Mr. Combs, claiming that he committed sexual assault as early as 1991. He refutes every allegation.
In 2024, his contentious past with Ms. Ventura reappeared when CNN obtained CCTV evidence of Mr. Combs kicking his ex-girlfriend in 2016 while she was lying on the floor of a hotel corridor.
"I accept full responsibility for my actions in that video," he said in an apology for his attitude. When I did it, I was appalled. Now I'm repulsed."
What has Diddy said on the accusations?
In the civil litigation, Mr. Combs has repeatedly rejected the accusations against him, calling them "sickening" and implying that "individuals looking for a quick payday" were behind them.
Regarding the federal criminal charges, his attorney told the BBC: "Mr. Combs and his legal team have complete faith in the facts and the fairness of the legal system.
"In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor."
Later, Diddy's attorneys filed a petition to have a portion of the federal indictment—which accuses him of transporting people to participate in prostitution—dismissed. His camp claimed that because of his colour, he was being unjustly singled out.
During a hearing in New York one week before to the trial, his lawyers informed the judge that the rapper was not a criminal and followed the "lifestyle" of a "swinger".
His belief that having many sexual partners, including prostitutes, was "appropriate" was cited.
Prosecutors disclosed at the same hearing that Mr. Combs had turned down a plea agreement.
Is Diddy incarcerated?
Since his arrest on September 16, 2024, Mr. Combs has been detained in Brooklyn, New York's Metropolitan Detention Centre.
His attorneys have made the case for his release, pointing to the "horrific" circumstances in the prison.
Critics claim that the jail has a violent culture and is overcrowded and understaffed.
The bail request was refused by a federal court in New York, who described Mr. Combs as a "serious flight risk."
According to the prosecution, Mr. Combs has been contacting possible witnesses in violation of prison regulations.
His "relentless efforts" to "corruptly influence witness testimony" are the charge against him.
What is the date and duration of the Diddy trial?
The trial is set to start on May 5.
Jury selection will take place over the first few days of the trial, and after the panel is chosen, the trial will begin in earnest.
The court was informed by prosecutor Emily Johnson that the government would have three weeks to make its case.
The rapper's team will need a week for theirs, according to defence attorney Marc Agnifilo.
The trial of Mr. Combs is anticipated to be open to the public and will be held in the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courtroom in New York City.
Although they haven't been livestreamed, all of his court hearings so far have been accessible to the public and media.
The majority of federal courts prohibit the use of cameras or other electronic devices in the courtroom.
How much time may Diddy be imprisoned?
If found guilty of racketeering, Mr. Combs could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
If he is convicted of sex trafficking, he will also be subject to a further statutory minimum term of 15 years.
The maximum penalty for transportation used for prostitution is ten years.
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