Diddy’s Federal Sex Trafficking Trial Begins in New York

NEW YORK CITY  — Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is now officially on trial in one of the most high-profile federal sex trafficking cases in recent memory. Jury selection began Monday in Manhattan as prosecutors prepare to present evidence accusing the 55-year-old Bad Boy Records founder of operating a violent, decades-long criminal enterprise.

Combs, who has been held in federal custody since September, faces multiple serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, kidnapping, and assault. Prosecutors allege he led a network that used drugs, physical abuse, and intimidation to coerce women into sex acts at his infamous private events, dubbed “Freak Off” parties.

According to federal documents, the alleged ring spanned over 20 years, with claims that Combs and associates groomed and exploited women under the threat of violence or exposure. If convicted, he could face decades in prison.

Combs has denied all charges, maintaining through his legal team that any sexual encounters were consensual, and calling the case a “politically motivated attack on a Black entrepreneur.”

With cameras barred from the courtroom, the public will rely on court sketch artists and daily summaries to track the proceedings. The trial is expected to stretch for approximately eight weeks, with dozens of witnesses anticipated, including former associates, alleged victims, and federal investigators.

Legal analysts say the trial could reshape the legacy of one of hip-hop’s most prominent figures, whose business empire includes music, fashion, alcohol, and media ventures. It also comes amid a wider reckoning in the entertainment industry over sexual misconduct and abuse of power.

Diddy’s attorneys are expected to argue that the prosecution’s case is based on exaggerations and unreliable testimony, while prosecutors plan to unveil a pattern of predatory behavior hidden behind a glamorous public image.

The trial marks a stunning fall from grace for a man once hailed as a cultural icon — and its outcome could reverberate far beyond the courtroom.