Prosecutors have expanded their case against Sean Combs, commonly known as Diddy, by adding two former girlfriends to the list of alleged victims in a federal sex trafficking indictment. The updated indictment suggests that these women were not in romantic relationships with Combs but were, instead, engaged in prostitution. This development raises serious allegations of commercial sex acts facilitated by the music mogul.
The new indictment claims that Combs paid hotel security staff $100,000 for video footage concerning his activities. This footage, which was leaked to CNN last year, reportedly captures incidents that illustrate the alleged violence involved. Among the accusations, prosecutors allege that Combs displayed violent behavior, including kicking and dragging Cassandra Ventura and throwing a vase at her during an altercation in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. Further accusations include an incident where Combs allegedly dangled a woman from a balcony.
The timeline of the alleged offenses has also shifted. Prosecutors now assert that Combs' involvement in sex trafficking began as early as 2004. They have also included claims that he assaulted not only the women involved but also "his employees, witnesses to his abuse and others," highlighting a broader pattern of alleged misconduct.
Despite these serious allegations, Combs has consistently denied all charges against him. He has been incarcerated since September and faces significant legal challenges, including charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The original indictment identified only one victim, referred to as "Victim-1." With the latest updates, prosecutors have named two additional women but have not introduced new charges in the case.
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, criticized the government's claims, stating, "The government has added the ridiculous theory that two of Mr Combs's former girlfriends were not girlfriends at all, but were prostitutes. Mr Combs is as committed as ever to fighting these charges and winning at trial."
In a poignant statement about her experiences, Cassandra Ventura remarked that the situation "broke me down to someone I never thought I'd become." This testimony underscores the emotional toll of the allegations against Combs and the impact on those involved.
As the case unfolds, it continues to attract significant media attention and public scrutiny. The complexities of the allegations and their implications for all parties involved remain a focal point for legal experts and observers alike.
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