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17th September 2024
11:50am BST
Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been arrested in New York City, a statement from his representative confirmed.
The 54-year-old was detained by law enforcement at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan, according to Sky News.
Details of the charges remain unclear, with the arrest reportedly tied to a sealed indictment.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), confirmed the arrest, stating that further information will be released once the indictment is unsealed.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said he was disappointed over the arrest, calling the prosecution "unjust."
He said that Combs has cooperated fully with authorities and even relocated to New York in anticipation of potential charges.
"Diddy is not a criminal. While he is imperfect, this arrest is unwarranted. We urge the public to withhold judgment until all the facts are made clear," Agnifilo said.
"Mr. Combs looks forward to clearing his name in court."
Combs’ arrest follows a wave of lawsuits and allegations involving sexual assault and misconduct.
Lawyers representing some of the accusers called the arrest "long overdue," signalling a step toward justice for the alleged victims.
"The evidence against Mr. Combs is compelling. This arrest is just the beginning of a long-awaited reckoning," attorneys Rodney Diggs and Tyrone Blackburn said in a joint statement.
The arrest also coincides with an ongoing federal investigation that became public in March, when authorities executed search warrants at Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
Investigators have been looking into allegations related to sex trafficking, sexual assault, and illegal drug and firearms distribution.
In 2023, R&B singer Cassie filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of years of physical and sexual abuse.
The case was settled out of court, but Combs faced backlash after a video surfaced showing him allegedly assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Despite the settlement, Combs publicly apologised for his past behaviour.
Other lawsuits have since emerged. Two women have accused the rapper of sexual assault, and a music producer has claimed that Combs coerced him into soliciting prostitutes and pressured him to engage in sexual acts.
Combs and his legal team have consistently denied most of these accusations.
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