Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleads not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering charges

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs presided over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women for years while using blackmail and shocking acts of violence to keep his victims in line, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.

The music mogul pleaded not guilty, standing to speak, after listening to the allegations while showing little reaction, his uncuffed hands folded in his lap.

Federal prosecutors called Combs dangerous and urged that he be jailed without bail.

“Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes. Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson told a court. She also said he had “extensive and exhaustive history of obstruction of justice,” including alleged bribery and witness intimidation.

His lawyers, meanwhile, proposed in court papers that he be released on a $50 million bond to home detention with electronic monitoring.

The racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking indictment described Combs inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes dayslong sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs.”

It also refers obliquely to an attack on his former girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, that was captured on video.

The 54-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records is accused of striking, punching and dragging women, throwing objects and kicking them — and getting his personal assistants, security and household staff to help him hide it all.

Prosecutors said in court papers that they had interviewed more than 50 victims and witnesses and expect the number to grow. They said they would use financial, travel and billing records, electronic data and communications and videos of the “Freak Offs” to prove their case.

Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said outside the courthouse Tuesday that Combs is innocent.

“His spirits are good. He’s confident,” said the attorney, who said Combs came to New York voluntarily to “engage the court system and start the case.”

Combs’ three sons also arrived at the courthouse to observe.

Combs was arrested late Monday in Manhattan, roughly six months after federal authorities conducting a sex trafficking investigation raided his luxurious homes in Los Angeles and Miami.

A conviction on every charge in the indictment would require a mandatory 15 years in prison with the possibility of a life sentence.