Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Pleads Not Guilty Amid New Allegations

Sean “Diddy” Combs has entered a not guilty plea in response to an updated indictment that introduces fresh accusations of forced labour.

The revised charges claim that Combs compelled employees to endure long work hours under the threat of physical and reputational harm. Additionally, at least one worker was allegedly coerced into engaging in s@xual acts with him.

Combs’s legal team has strongly denied these claims, maintaining that he has never forced anyone into such acts. According to The New York Times, his attorneys argue that the case involves consensual relationships with his past partners.

His lawyers have also issued firm denials regarding the accusations in both the federal case and the numerous civil lawsuits that have emerged against him in recent months.

“Sean Combs looks forward to his day in court, where it will be proven that he has never forced anyone into any s@xual acts,” said his attorney, Marc Agnifilo.

Combs, recognised as one of the most successful rap artists in the U.S., is set to face trial on federal charges related to s@x trafficking and racketeering. The additional allegations in the latest indictment are linked to the racketeering charge.

In a separate matter, Combs is facing multiple lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault. His legal representatives have dismissed these claims as opportunistic attempts to gain publicity.

Court Appearance and Family Support

On Friday, Combs appeared in New York’s Southern District federal court dressed in a greenish-tan prison jumpsuit, sporting overgrown grey hair and a beard. He chose to stand while entering his plea. When asked by the judge if he had read and understood the indictment, he responded, “Yes, I have, sir.”

In the courtroom’s public seating, his family members, including his son Christian, daughter Chance, and mother Janice Combs, showed their support. Accompanying them were friend and publicist Marvet Britto, along with two other individuals who identified as part of Combs’s inner circle.

Despite the serious nature of the hearing, Combs appeared upbeat, smiling, waving, and blowing kisses to his family while embracing his legal team.

Dispute Over 2016 CCTV Footage

A key point of contention during the hearing was a video released by CNN in 2024, purportedly showing Combs kicking his former girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, in a hotel hallway in 2016.

Combs’s attorneys insist the footage has been manipulated, claiming that a visual analysis determined the sequence of events was altered, movements were sped up, and timestamps were obscured. Prosecutors, however, argue that the video is a crucial piece of evidence that will be presented at trial. The judge encouraged both sides to find common ground regarding its use in court.

CNN and Cassandra Ventura’s attorney have rejected the defence’s claims about the video’s authenticity.

Following the video’s public release, Combs issued a statement expressing remorse: “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted by my behaviour then, and I am disgusted now.”

Trial Timeline

The court has scheduled jury selection to commence on May 5, with opening statements expected to begin on May 12.