‘Diddy’ faces more charges ahead of criminal trial

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US prosecutors have added two costs to the legal racketeering and intercourse trafficking case in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs, in accordance with a grand jury indictment unsealed Friday.

The superseding indictment contains a further cost of intercourse trafficking and a further cost of transportation to interact in prostitution, referring to a lady recognized by prosecutors solely as “Sufferer 2”.

The contemporary costs may spell extra jail time upon conviction.

Authorities attorneys requested that Combs be arraigned on the brand new costs on April 25, which is because of be the ultimate pre-trial convention previous to the blockbuster trial set to start in Could.

The hip hop magnate, 55, is accused of sexually abusing folks and coercing them into drug-fueled intercourse events utilizing threats and violence, with prosecutors additionally alleging he pressured workers to work lengthy hours whereas demanding their silence.

He has denied all costs to date, insisting that any intercourse acts had been consensual.

The extremely anticipated trial is ready to start with jury choice on Could 5, with opening statements anticipated to start out Could 12.

Public allegations have been constructing in opposition to the Grammy winner since late 2023, when singer Cassie, whose actual identify is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to greater than a decade of coercion by bodily drive and medicines in addition to a 2018 rape.

Together with the federal legal case, Combs faces a mountain of civil fits, complaints that allege harrowing abuse by the artist with help from a loyal community of workers and associates.

The one-time rap famous person has been incarcerated since September, throughout which era he’s began to look noticeably aged, with a crop of salt-and-pepper hair.