Why is Diddy in federal custody? What we know and don’t know about the growing case against him.

It’s been more than a week since the arrest of music mogul and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs on a litany of federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, but the questions surrounding the charges have only grown in recent days.

Who among Combs’ many famous friends has heard of the so-called “freak-offs”? What, if anything, did his former romantic partners, including Jennifer Lopez, know? If there are tapes, what does it say? Why do people keep talking about Justin Bieber?

It’s not hard to draw parallels between Combs’ case and that of infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Large amounts of money, a long list of powerful friends, and a culture of celebrity silence make for a powerful combination that, as Anna has written, is “tailor-made to produce conspiracy theories.” In the aftermath of the arrest, amateur internet sleuths have unearthed countless videos and photos and pored over interviews with Diddy and his famous associates in search of answers.

Meanwhile, the accusations against Combs continue to pile up. After several civil lawsuits were filed against Combs late last year, another woman came forward this week to allege in a 26-page civil lawsuit that Combs and his bodyguard took her to the recording studio of his Bad Boy record label and raped her in 2001 . her repeatedly, and recorded the attack.

Through his lawyers, Diddy has repeatedly claimed that the civil claims against him are baseless, calling some of them “sickening accusations” from “individuals looking for a quick payday.”

He has also pleaded not guilty in the criminal case and is currently being held in a Brooklyn jail after being denied bail twice. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has said the rapper is “going to fight this with all his energy and all his might,” and has argued in a court hearing that the so-called freak-offs – marathon sexual productions that prosecutors say involve hired sex workers and women forced to perform sexual acts for the gratification of Combs and others – were consensual, albeit unconventional. “Is it sex trafficking?” he asked in court last week. “No, not if everyone wants to be there.”

With so many players, civil and criminal cases, and a lot of misinformation floating around, we’ve collected some of the most frequently asked questions about Diddy and tried to answer them – as best we can, based on what we know, of course.

For a more detailed history of all the allegations against Diddy, check out Anna’s full explanation here.

Combs faces two sets of cases: one criminal case brought by the federal government and several civil cases brought by individuals, each involving different charges.

Combs was arrested on criminal charges; the government alleges he used his business to conduct criminal activities, including sex trafficking and kidnapping, and then used his power to intimidate victims and cover up the crimes.

The case revolves around alleged performances with women and sex workers. The indictment alleges that Diddy often transported sex workers to perform at the sessions and recorded the encounters to silence the participants, using an array of employees and his business organization to facilitate the criminal activity. For all this, they charged Combs with racketeering conspiracy: a strong charge originally used largely to prosecute organized crime leaders and which can lead to a stiff sentence.

However, it was the civil cases that opened the floodgates that ultimately led to the indictment.

In November 2023, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, also known as singer Cassie, filed the first explosive lawsuit in which several allegations against Combs were revealed to the public, including that the rapper orchestrated the performances with sex workers and forced her to participate to take. Although she filed a civil case (which was settled by Combs within one day), Ventura’s allegations appear to be the central basis of the federal criminal case against Combs.

Soon after, four other cases were filed, three by women who alleged he raped them (in some cases by drugging them), and one by a male music producer who accused Diddy of grooming him and forcing him to hire sex workers for sex.

Combs was incredibly powerful in the music industry and in American culture in general. He was one of the first people to blend the worlds of hip-hop, business and luxury. His fashion label, Sean John, founded in 1998, became known for its high-quality menswear. He promoted brands of vodka and tequila and hosted exclusive white parties in the Hamptons with guests such as Martha Stewart, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and Jay Z.

It is difficult for people to speak out about sexual assault under any circumstances, and doubly difficult when the alleged perpetrator is someone who is wealthy, well-connected and who can influence their career. Combs is also accused of running a massive criminal “enterprise” that threatened women with blackmail and violence — including using firearms to threaten victims — which would have made it even harder for anyone to come forward.

Several accusers and the indictment allege that Diddy videotaped sexual assaults and performances with sex workers. The accuser alleges this week that a videotape of her sexual assault was sold and viewed by several other men.

In general, prosecutors have said any tapes served as a way to ensure their silence. In court, the New York Times reported, prosecutors presented a statement from someone who said: “He just threatened me because of my sex tapes that he has of me on two phones. He said he would expose me, mind you these sex tapes where I am heavily drugged.

One of the stranger details in the indictment against Combs is that authorities say they seized “more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lube” during searches of the mogul’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles earlier this year. Prosecutors say the oil was intended for the performances, and Ventura also said in her lawsuit that she was told to pour “excessive” amounts of oil on herself at these events.

Possession of baby oil is not a crime, and the whole oil issue doesn’t really matter in the context of the violent and disturbing behavior Combs is accused of. But a federal indictment against a public figure like Combs is meant to be read, and it’s not unusual for prosecutors to include details they know will shock people and make headlines. Baby oil did it.

It is important to note that no other person, celebrity or otherwise, has been charged in the criminal case besides Combs. The civil cases also do not name other celebrities, accusing only Combs and sometimes those employed by him.

That said, this is an incredibly tricky question, one that leads to rumors and innuendo rather than uncovering truths as onlookers try to determine who knew what and when. Combs did indeed have many friends in high places. But pursuing the question often leads to misinformation, such as a viral song about “a Diddy party” attributed to Justin Bieber that experts now say was likely created by AI.

So far, a few bold-faced names who were on the guest lists of Combs’ packed “white parties” have come forward and said they were in no way connected to the crimes Combs is accused of. But it’s best if we all leave the conspiracy theories alone and let the matter be heard in court. Wild speculation can only worsen the pain of the victims.

In the weeks before Ventura’s lawsuit was made public last November, Diddy took several media-heavy actions, including donating $1 million to Howard University, performing and receiving a Global Icon Award at the VMAs, and giving a high-profile birthday party for herself in London. with Naomi Campbell and Idris Elba among the guests.

So much has collapsed since then, not least his business empire. Diageo, the drinks brand Combs once partnered with on vodka and tequila, quickly removed his image from its website and the partnership cut ties after settling a lawsuit on a separate matter in January. Capital Preparatory Schools, a New York charter school network that Combs helped expand, posted a statement on the school’s website last fall saying it was cutting ties with him (though the statement was later deleted). Combs also stepped aside as chairman of Revolt, a TV network he helped start in 2013 and then officially sold his stake this summer. And Sean John’s website was taken down, according to the Daily Beast.

According to New York magazine, he’s also no longer having a special “Sean Diddy Combs Day” in Miami, has returned his key to New York City and has frozen his planned Hulu show.

As for Howard, his alma mater? It returned the million dollar gift.

There is no guarantee that Combs’ case will go to trial or that he will be convicted if he does, so at this point it’s impossible to guess the outcome. But the Justice Department has released a list of the charges against Combs and what they could mean if he is convicted. Unsurprisingly, the maximum penalties vary, with a charge of transportation for the purpose of prostitution carrying a possible 10-year prison sentence, and the racketeering and conspiracy charges meaning Combs could face life in prison.