Getty ImagesSean “Dee Dee” Combs, one of America’s most successful rappers and music moguls, will soon go on trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
At a hearing Thursday before Coombs, the judge ruled that his trial will begin on May 5 next year.
Coombs, wearing a pleated beige prison jumpsuit, sat next to his attorney as the judge discussed imposing a gag order that would prevent attorneys or prosecutors from discussing the case publicly or with the media.
Mr Coombs’ family members lined up in the courtroom. The rapper said “I love you” to the crowd, which included his three daughters, three sons and his mother. He also repeatedly put his hands on his chest in a prayer gesture.
In addition to the criminal case, Mr. Coombs has been sued by dozens of people accusing him of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.
Mr Combs has pleaded not guilty in the criminal trial and the rapper’s lawyers have repeatedly maintained his innocence, calling the allegations against him “false and defamatory”.
Here are the details of his legal troubles.
When will Dee Dee’s trial take place?
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian set a trial in Manhattan for next May.
Thursday was the rapper’s third court appearance since his arrest.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson told the judge the government needed three weeks to present its case.
Defense attorney Mark Agnifilo said the rapper’s team needed a week.
At the end of the hearing, some of Combs’ supporters lingered at the door, standing on tiptoes hoping to catch a glimpse of the rapper as he was escorted out.
What crime is Diddy accused of?
The rapper faces criminal charges in federal court. He also faces multiple lawsuits from individuals who accuse him of harming and exploiting them.
In the federal criminal case, Mr. Coombs is accused of kidnapping, drugging and forcing women to perform sexual activities, sometimes using guns or threatening them with violence.
During a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies allegedly used in “wild orgies,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil.
Mr. Coombs also faces multiple lawsuits alleging rape and assault.
Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney handling some of the cases, said more than 100 men and women from across the United States have either filed lawsuits or will soon file lawsuits against the rap mogul.
Buzbee said some people claim the attacks happened when they were minors, including people as young as nine years old.
Mr. Combs’ current legal troubles began in late 2023 when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, also known as Cassie.
The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount the day after it was filed, with Mr. Coombs maintaining his innocence.
In the following weeks, multiple women filed lawsuits accusing Mr. Combs of sexual assault, alleging allegations dating back to 1991. “Sex trafficking” and “gang rape.”
Mr Combs responded to the series of lawsuits in a statement on his Instagram page in December, writing: “Enough is enough.”
“I have not done any of the horrible things that I have been accused of. I will fight for my name, my family and the truth,” he said.
Nine months later, he was arrested and arraigned.
Where is Didi now?
Mr Coombs is being held in metropolitan detention center He has been living in Brooklyn, New York, since his arrest on September 16.
His lawyers argued for his release pending trial, citing “horrendous” prison conditions.
A federal judge in New York denied their request for bail, saying Mr. Combs posed a “serious flight risk.”
What’s next for Didi’s criminal case?
On Wednesday, his lawyers asked the court to expunge a 2016 video showing Mr Combs kicking his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura as she lay on the floor in a hotel hallway.
They argued that the government was responsible for leaking the video to CNN and “resulting in damaging, highly prejudicial pretrial publicity that only tainted the jury pool and deprived Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”
Government lawyers deny leaking the video to the media, saying the government did not possess it before it aired in May.
When the footage first emerged, Mr Combs issued an apology, saying: “I felt disgusted when I did it.”
His lawyers are still trying to get the rapper released on bail. They appealed on Tuesday, saying Mr Coombs had agreed to “restrictive conditions” on his possible release from prison to prevent him from escaping.
“Mr. Combs is presumed innocent. He traveled to New York to turn himself in because he knew he would be prosecuted,” his attorney said in a court filing.
“He took extraordinary steps to demonstrate his intention to face the charges and enter a plea rather than flee.”
Lawyers also argued that everyone involved in the so-called “weird events” was a consenting adult.
If Diddy is guilty, will he go to jail?
Yes.
If convicted of racketeering, Mr Coombs faces life in prison. He also faces another mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison on sex trafficking charges.
Will Dee Dee’s trial be public?
All federal cases in the United States are open to the public, except in rare cases where the trial involves sensitive information related to national security.
All of Mr Coombs’ court proceedings so far have been open to the media and the public.
However, none of his appearances were broadcast live. Most federal courts do not allow cameras or electronic devices in the courtroom.
Sketch artists often attend these hearings, drawing courtroom moments for the media and public.
Will Diddy face more charges?
It is unclear whether Mr. Coombs will face further criminal charges.
However, prosecutors said the investigation remains “active and ongoing” and encouraged potential victims to contact authorities.
BBC reporter Emma Vardy contributed reporting to this report.
