Music icon Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in Manhattan by federal agents on Monday evening based on a sealed indictment, the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of New York said.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s attorney
Agnifilo stated that Diddy deliberately relocated to New York in anticipation of the charges.
A representative for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on Agnifilo’s remarks.
Combs, 54, has been accused of many sexual assaults.
Dawn Richard, a singer, sued Combs last week in the Southern District of New York, accusing him of sexual assault, battery, sex trafficking, gender discrimination, and fraud. Combs disputes the charges.
In the same month, Combs was forced to pay $100 million in a separate sexual assault lawsuit against Derrick Lee Smith, who claimed Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party about 30 years ago.
Combs’ attorney stated that the rapper would file a motion to have the judgement dismissed. Casandra Ventura, an R&B vocalist, sued Combs in 2023, alleging him of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery, and rape over a ten-year professional and emotional relationship.
She reached an undisclosed deal in November 2023, and Combs vigorously rejected the charges.
Diddy was a highly successful artist as well as one of hip-hop’s most prominent producers and executives.
