Hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested late Monday in Manhattan following an indictment by a federal grand jury.
The indictment is expected to be unsealed later Tuesday after Combs’ court appearance.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Angifilo, told reporters outside the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday morning that his client “came to New York to basically engage the court system and start the case, and it will start today,” NBC News reported.
“He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers,” he said.
Agnifilo said Combs moved to New York’s Park Hyatt hotel two weeks ago, anticipating the charges, and had planned to surrender, WABC reported. He said he would “fight like hell to get him released” on bail “and he should be released with all that he’s done, coming here voluntarily.”
Combs, 54, has been slapped with multiple lawsuits alleging sexual assault and sex trafficking, including one by former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, that was settled the day after it was filed, as CrimeOnline reported. While Combs has denied all the claims against him, a leaked video months later showed him beating and kicking Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016.
After that video was released, Combs posted a somber video taking responsibility for the brutal assault and saying he was “disgusted” by his behavior.
In March, federal agents raided his homes on California and Florida in connection with an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.
Then, in July, sources told news outlets that Combs was the “subject” of a grand jury investigation in New York but not a target. Other sources had already confirmed the existence of a grand jury, including federal investigators who declined further comment.
Various attorneys speaking on behalf of Combs have denied any potential charges against him. Agnifilo told The Associated Press after his client’s arrest that Combs had been “cooperating” with the investigation.
“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,” Agnifilo said, adding that Combs is an icon and a “loving family man.”
“He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal,” Agnifilo said in a statement. “Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
Most recently, Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard filed a lawsuit against Combs, alleging sexual assault and abuse.
This is a developing story. Check back for more.
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[Featured image: FILE – Sean “Diddy” Combs at a basketball game on March 12, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)]
