American rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs remains in custody after he was arrested on Monday and charged on Tuesday with trafficking for the purpose of prostitution.
A judge decided this at a court hearing in Manhattan on Tuesday, writes the Reuters news agency.
As a result, the 54-year-old rapper, who has also been known under the name ‘Puff Daddy’, does not get the opportunity to be released on bail.
The judge refused Combs’ request for bail on the grounds that she was concerned about an imbalance of power in the case where people are ‘subject to coercion’.
The charge of human trafficking is one of three indictments presented at the court hearing in New York on Tuesday.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors say Combs used his power, resources and employees to create a criminal empire where he was able to abuse his victims.
According to the indictment, he has created a ‘criminal enterprise whose members and employees have been involved in’ a number of crimes.
The crimes include forced prostitution, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.
The various charges extend over a long period of years. The 14-page indictment goes back to 2009 and until 2024
It reads that for years he should have ‘abused, threatened and forced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and hide his behaviour’.
Combs already faces several civil lawsuits describing him as a violent sex offender who used alcohol and drugs to drug his victims.
In March, his home was searched as a result of the allegations.
Less than a year ago – in the middle of last November – Combs was sued for rape by his ex-girlfriend, the singer Cassie.
The lawsuit alleged that Combs subjected Cassie – Casandra Ventura – to coercion using physical force and drugs for over a decade while they were in a relationship. He allegedly raped her in 2018.
The lawsuit ended in a settlement that the public has not seen.
ritzau
Source: politiken.dk
