The criminal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs It began this Tuesday in the Federal Court of Manhattan with the jury selection. The renowned music producer and entrepreneur faces positions of sexual traffic, racketeering y Transportation for prostitutionthat could carry a life sentence condemnation. This judicial process is emerging as one of the most relevant in the entertainment industry of recent years.
According to the accusation presented by federal prosecutors, between 2004 y 2024 Combs would have organized events known as “freak offs”where allegedly women were drugged y coerced To participate in sexual acts.
In addition to criminal accusations, the artist faces dozens of Civil demandswhat has expanded the public scrutiny about its behavior and its businesses, as reported Newsweek.
The legal situation of combs has also had a deep impact on its financial situation. According to Forbesin 2019 his Net Heritage It was estimated at 740 million dollars. Today, that figure has decreased to 400 millionamid legal expenses and the sale or reduction of key assets. Among its most prominent income is the coming from music –100 million dollars generated only by their own recordings, according to Fortune– And the foundation of the influential record label Bad Boy Recordsthat at its best reported 130 million dollars annual, according to information from Business Insidercited by Newsweek.
Beyond music, combs diversified its business empire. Your clothing brand Sean John reached annual income higher than 525 million dollarsand its alliance with Diageo To promote vodka Neemoc and tequila Delleon generated estimated profits in 60 million dollars annual, according to Fortune.
Although Diageo subsequently acquired all of both brands, the agreement was crucial for its fortune. In addition, he ventured into the performance and, in 2022, closed a deal of 185 million dollars to acquire retail cannabis stores in the United States.
Your participation in the channel Revolt TVfounded in 2013, also contributed to its media influence, although it subsequently sold its participation. In the real estate field, it has a mansion in Miami Beach valued in more than 37.4 million dollars and another property in Los Angelescurrently for sale by 61.5 million dollars.
Since the accusations began, combs ha defended firmly your innocence. In an interview with the Associated Press In July 2023 he declared: “My dreams have always been to have success In music, be obsessed with the moda and be the greatest businessman African -American series of all time ”.
“The community benefits empower yourself y take care. Right now, our money in the African -American community does not last an hour. Most others communities y ethnic groups They understand the power of unity. His money stays in their communities For days and is transmitted to other people like them, ”said combs in that interview.
His legal team, in an October statement on October 2024 CNNhe said: “Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence In facts, in their Legal defenses and in the integrity of the judicial process. In court the truth will prevail: Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted Nobody, either adult o smaller, man o women”.
The next stage of the trial is scheduled for the May 12when the opening arguments will begin. The process is expected to extend between eight and ten weeks, maintaining public and media attention in one of the most transcendent cases currently facing the entertainment world.
