Listeners, the name Sean Combs—also known as Puffy, P Diddy, or simply Diddy—continues to dominate headlines in 2025 as his high-profile federal trial unfolds in New York. Diddy, a three-time Grammy winner and one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, is currently facing serious charges, including sex trafficking by force, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. These charges stem from a sweeping federal indictment originally filed in September 2024, with further allegations added in early 2025. The accusations detail a nearly two-decade-long criminal enterprise, alleging that Combs threatened, abused, and coerced women into participating in drug-fueled sexual activities. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains that all sexual encounters were consensual.

The trial has riveted the public, with explosive courtroom testimony grabbing headlines. Star witness Cassie Ventura, a former girlfriend, testified over four days, describing years of alleged coercion, abuse, and orchestrated “freak offs”—sexual encounters with others at Combs’ direction, often involving drugs. She told the court she would return her previous $20 million civil settlement if it meant never having endured these experiences. Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard also testified, recounting incidents of physical and emotional abuse she allegedly witnessed, and has filed her own civil suit against Combs, accusing him of assault and forced imprisonment. Surveillance footage and additional testimony are being used by prosecutors to bolster their case, while his legal team continues to deny all wrongdoing.

Beyond the courtroom, the trial’s impact on Combs' vast business empire is undeniable. Once celebrated for turning music stardom into an estimated billion-dollar fortune with brands like Ciroc vodka, Bad Boy Records, and ventures in fashion, media, and cannabis, his portfolio faces mounting risk. Recent reports indicate sales of Ciroc have plummeted by 32% year-on-year, and the catalog value of Bad Boy Records has shrunk to just 10% of its former peak value. Investors are closely watching, aware that a conviction could lead to up to 20 years in prison and millions in fines, while acquittal might allow a slow path to rebuild his brand.

For now, Sean “Diddy” Combs remains a central figure in one of the most closely watched celebrity trials of the era, with the outcome poised to reshape not only his legacy but the future of celebrity-driven business across the music and entertainment world.

Sean "Diddy" Combs's high-profile trial on sex trafficking charges continues to unfold in Manhattan, with his defense team recently concluding cross-examination of his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. This marks the end of the trial's first week, which has featured explosive testimony.

Ventura, who testified for four days, broke down as her testimony concluded on May 16. Following her testimony, she and her husband Alex Fine released a statement through their attorney.

The prosecution has begun calling additional witnesses, including Dawn Richard of Danity Kane, who testified about seeing Cassie being "attacked" by a "screaming, belligerent" Combs. A special agent also took the stand, presenting evidence about items found in Combs's hotel room at the time of his arrest, including drugs and baby oil.

Prosecutors allege that behind Combs's public persona as a charismatic hip-hop mogul, he forced women into drug-fueled sexual encounters with male escorts, which he called "freak-offs," and then blackmailed them with recordings. Evidence presented includes a black fanny pack containing $9,000 in cash that was seized as potential evidence of criminal activity.

Combs faces charges of sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. The latest superseding indictment from April 2025 added additional charges, including allegations that he kidnapped a female victim and dangled another over an apartment balcony.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with his defense team arguing that all sexual encounters were consensual. His attorney has stated that Combs "vehemently denies the accusations" and "looks forward to his day in court."

Before these legal troubles, Combs had built a billion-dollar empire spanning music, fashion, beverages, and media. Starting as an intern at Uptown Records in the early 1990s, he pioneered the model of artist-entrepreneurs, becoming one of hip-hop's first billionaires through ventures like Bad Boy Records, Sean John clothing, and a lucrative partnership with Diageo for Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila.

The trial continues next week as more witnesses are expected to testify.

Listeners, the latest headlines about Sean Combs—also known as Puffy or P Diddy—are focused firmly on his ongoing federal trial in Manhattan, where he faces serious charges including sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. On May 16, Cassie Ventura, Combs’s former long-term girlfriend, completed her fourth and final day of often emotional testimony. She described in detail allegations of abuse and sexual exploitation, including an incident in 2018 after a dinner in Malibu where she claims Combs raped her. Ventura told the court that at the time, Combs was acting strangely and agreed when asked by Combs’s lawyer if his behavior could have been related to his bipolar disorder. In court, Ventura said she would have returned the $20 million settlement from her 2023 civil lawsuit if she “never had to have ‘freak offs’”—referring to sessions where she says Combs coerced her into having sex with other men, often involving drugs, as part of what she described as a loss of agency and autonomy. Ventura broke down in tears, sharing that if she’d never gone through those experiences, her life would have been fundamentally different.

As Cassie left the stand, the prosecution called Dawn Richard, another former associate and ex-bandmate, who told the court she had witnessed Combs attack Ventura, describing Combs as “screaming” and “belligerent.” The trial has also included testimony from federal agents who described evidence found at the time of Combs’s September 2024 arrest, including drugs and other items in his hotel room. Combs has denied all wrongdoing, with his legal team arguing that all sexual encounters were consensual and part of a swinger lifestyle, and that the relationships in question, while sometimes involving domestic issues, did not amount to trafficking or abuse.

Despite the trial’s shadow, Combs’s legacy as a music mogul and business tycoon remains significant. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at over $1 billion, built from decades of music hits, smart investments, and ownership stakes in everything from fashion to tech startups and major beverage brands like Ciroc vodka. Yet the cloud of allegations and high-profile trial is now the dominant story, with the hip-hop world and public watching closely as the case continues to unfold in federal court.

Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial: Cassie Ventura Faces Cross-Examination

The high-profile trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs continues today with Cassie Ventura returning to court for cross-examination by Diddy's legal team. Yesterday marked the fourth day of proceedings, where Ventura, Combs' former partner of 10 years, continued her testimony against the hip-hop mogul.

During yesterday's court session, Ventura testified about a 2016 attack at a Los Angeles hotel, which was captured on CCTV and played in court. She described how Combs threw a vase at her, leaving her with a black eye and fat lip. She also testified that Combs told her to hide her injuries from his son.

Perhaps most shocking was Ventura's testimony about what she called "freak offs" - sessions where she claimed Combs paid male escorts up to $6,000 to have sex with her while he watched. She identified several of these men by name and stated that these encounters occurred "hundreds of times," with drugs being present at all of them.

The 55-year-old Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has remained jailed in Brooklyn since his September arrest and faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

This trial comes at a critical time for Combs' business empire, estimated to be worth around $1 billion. His flagship Ciroc vodka brand has reportedly seen sales plummet 32% year-on-year in 2025, while Bad Boy Records' catalog value has collapsed to just 10% of its peak worth.

Combs built his fortune through strategic investments in music, fashion, beverages, and media. His business portfolio includes partnerships with Diageo for Ciroc vodka and DeLeón tequila, and he recently moved to establish what could become the country's largest Black-owned licensed cannabis company in a deal worth up to $185 million.

The trial is expected to continue through mid-July, with a verdict potentially reshaping the future of Combs' business ventures and legacy in entertainment.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' Sex Trafficking Trial Now Underway in New York

The highly anticipated trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs began yesterday in Manhattan federal court with jury selection completed and opening statements delivered. Twelve jurors and six alternates—comprising 12 men and six women—were seated on Monday, May 12, as prosecutors began building their case against the hip-hop icon.

Combs, 55, faces five serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Prosecutors painted a stark contrast between his public persona and private behavior, telling the court: "To the public, he was Puff Daddy or Diddy, a cultural icon, a businessman, larger than life. But there was another side to him."

The government alleges Combs ran a criminal enterprise since at least 2004 that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors described how Combs allegedly forced victims into days-long drug-fueled sexual encounters called "freak offs" or "wild king nights," after which participants would receive IV fluids to recover.

The first witnesses have already taken the stand, including a male escort and a former security guard. Combs' defense team acknowledged he is "a complicated man" but argued this is "not a complicated case," admitting that video showing Combs assaulting former girlfriend Cassie Ventura demonstrates domestic violence but not sex trafficking.

Combs has been jailed since September when he was ordered held without bail. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and recently rejected a plea deal. If convicted, he could face a potential life sentence.

The trial represents a stunning fall for the billionaire entrepreneur who built an empire spanning music, fashion, and spirits. Once worth approximately $1 billion through ventures including Bad Boy Records, Sean John clothing, and partnerships with Cîroc vodka, Combs now fights for his freedom with his mother and children supporting him in court.

The prosecution team includes attorneys who successfully prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking, suggesting authorities are bringing their strongest case against the man who once proclaimed himself "Bad Boy for Life."

Sean Combs, widely recognized by his stage names Puffy, P. Diddy, and Diddy, is once again dominating headlines, but this time not for his empire-building in music, fashion, or spirits. Instead, the hip-hop mogul is currently standing trial in New York City, facing serious charges including sex trafficking by force, racketeering conspiracy, and related offenses. According to CBS News, Combs has been jailed since September 2024 and is being tried on five counts. The allegations, spanning back to at least 2004, accuse Combs of running a criminal enterprise involving forced labor, kidnapping, bribery, obstruction of justice, and more. Despite the gravity of these accusations, Combs has pleaded not guilty and recently rejected a plea deal at his final pre-trial hearing. Jury selection began this week, and opening statements are set for May 12 as the nation and the entertainment world watch closely.

ABC News reports that at his recent court appearance, Combs was described as "one of the most powerful figures in hip-hop," with the judge reading off his many well-known monikers to prospective jurors to ensure clarity in the high-profile proceedings. The indictment details not just past charges but also adds allegations of forced labor as the scope of the case has widened, though no new charges were introduced in the most recent filing. Notably, the intense public and legal scrutiny have led to wide-ranging analysis and commentary, including live trial coverage and special investigative reports.

The Associated Press recently traced the evolution of Combs' public persona—from his early days as Puff Daddy, through the P. Diddy era, to his current branding as Diddy—highlighting his major influence on hip-hop, fashion, and television with ventures like Sean John clothing and the reality show "Making the Band." Even as his career flourished after being acquitted of past gun and bribery charges in the early 2000s, Combs’ personal life has repeatedly intersected with controversy.

Meanwhile, business and pop culture circles continue to discuss the possible impacts of the trial on Combs’ vast business interests, which once included lucrative partnerships in beverages and fashion, and even a bid to build the country's largest Black-owned cannabis company. As court proceedings continue, the future of his billion-dollar empire and enduring cultural legacy hangs in the balance.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking trial began yesterday with jury selection in New York City. The hip-hop mogul, whose career spans more than three decades, faces serious allegations outlined in a 17-page indictment that prosecutors say reveals a pattern of abusive behavior against women dating back two decades.

The charges against Combs allege he engaged in a racketeering enterprise that involved manipulating women into drug-fueled sexual performances called "Freak Offs." Prosecutors claim he used a mix of career opportunities and violence to control his victims, with allegations including beatings, kidnapping, and arson.

Combs, 54, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense team maintains that any group sexual activities were consensual and deny the existence of a criminal enterprise.

A key piece of evidence in the case is security camera footage from 2016 showing Combs beating his former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Cassie filed a lawsuit in late 2023 alleging years of abuse, including beatings and rape.

The trial comes after a dramatic fall from grace for the entertainment entrepreneur who built an $885 million empire spanning music, fashion, television, and alcohol brands. His business ventures include the Sean John clothing line launched in 1998 and lucrative partnerships with Diageo for Ciroc vodka and DeLeón tequila.

If convicted, this trial could effectively end the career of one of hip-hop's most successful businessmen. The proceedings are expected to reveal further details about the allegations against Combs and potentially shed light on the culture within his business empire.

Combs is currently being held without bail following his arrest. He shares a dormitory-style bunk at MDC-Brooklyn with former crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried, who is serving a 25-year sentence.

The trial continues today in New York City, with proceedings expected to attract significant media attention as one of the highest-profile celebrity criminal cases in recent years.

Listeners, tonight Sean Combs, widely known as Puffy, P. Diddy, or just Diddy, finds himself at the center of one of the most high-profile criminal trials in music industry history. As of today, jury selection has begun in a Manhattan courtroom for his federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial. Federal prosecutors have brought five counts against the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, including sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. Combs, who has pled not guilty, faces the possibility of a life sentence if convicted.

Authorities allege that Combs and a network of associates threatened, abused, and coerced women to participate in what prosecutors describe as drug-fueled sexual encounters known as “freak offs.” They claim victims were silenced through intimidation, blackmail, and violence. Details from the indictment describe scenes where, after these so-called parties, both Combs and victims would undergo IV treatments to recover from the physical and drug-related aftermath. During raids on his homes, investigators reportedly seized narcotics and more than a thousand bottles of lubricant and baby oil. Despite mounting civil lawsuits dating back decades, Combs and his attorneys maintain that all encounters were consensual and that he simply led a swinger’s lifestyle.

Today marks a dramatic turning point for Combs, a man who rose from a college intern at Uptown Records to become a global music sensation and entrepreneur. Through the 1990s and 2000s, he launched the careers of Mary J. Blige, Usher, and the Notorious B.I.G., and built a vast empire through fashion, liquor, television, and even recent ventures in cannabis. That same business empire is now under scrutiny, with prosecutors alleging Combs used his power to facilitate and conceal abuse. According to reporting from The Independent, Combs was arrested in September 2024 and, in the months since, new indictments have added fresh charges of forced labor and additional sex trafficking.

Combs’ defense team rejected a government plea deal offer just days ago. As the trial proceeds, the hip-hop world, business partners, and millions of listeners await the outcome, which could reshape the legacy of one of the industry’s most influential—and now most controversial—figures.

In a major development, the sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is set to begin in New York City next week. Combs has remained in custody since his arrest in September 2024, having pleaded not guilty to all charges. This trial comes as a significant fall from grace for the music industry titan who was once celebrated for his influential career.

Combs' legal troubles began escalating in November 2023 when his ex-partner, singer Cassie Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit alleging he trafficked, raped, and violently beat her throughout their relationship spanning over a decade. Although Combs denied these allegations, the lawsuit was settled out of court just one day after filing, and his reputation never recovered.

Prior to these serious legal issues, Combs had built an estimated $1 billion empire through diverse business ventures. His journey from Harlem to hip-hop billionaire included founding Bad Boy Records in the 1990s, launching the careers of notable artists like The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans. Beyond music, Combs expanded into fashion, beverages, media, and cannabis.

His partnership with Diageo for Ciroc vodka and De Leon tequila was particularly lucrative, reportedly earning him nearly $1 billion in revenue since 2007. However, this partnership ended in June 2023. Combs' business portfolio under Combs Enterprises also included restaurants, clothing lines like Enyce, and investments in Revolt TV and the athlete-focused beverage Aquahydrate.

In 2023, Combs launched Empower Global, a digital marketplace for Black-owned businesses, demonstrating his continued entrepreneurial efforts despite mounting legal challenges.

As the music industry closely watches this trial, it marks a dramatic contrast to the celebrations Combs received just a few years ago, including a lifetime achievement award from BET in 2022 and the key to New York City in 2023. Whatever the outcome, this trial represents a pivotal moment for the once-celebrated hip-hop mogul and his extensive business empire.

Sean Combs, known worldwide as Puffy, P Diddy, or simply Diddy, is currently embroiled in one of the highest-profile legal battles in the entertainment industry. Seven months after his high-profile arrest in September 2024 following federal raids on two of his properties, Combs has remained in detention in New York, having been refused bail. The trial, which is set to begin on May 5, 2025, will address a third superseding federal indictment that includes five felony charges: racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty, asserting that all of his sexual relationships were consensual and strenuously denying any wrongdoing. His defense team has argued he was targeted due to racial bias and bad faith by prosecutors.

Despite these serious criminal allegations and several civil lawsuits, Combs has experienced mixed outcomes in court. Some civil suits, including a highly publicized case that also named Jay-Z, were dismissed, and a federal judge recently threw out multiple charges in a $30 million lawsuit brought by a music producer. However, the looming criminal trial presents the most significant threat yet to his career and legacy.

Beyond the courtroom, the fallout has been profound for Diddy’s business empire. For years, Combs’ fortune was powered by a unique partnership with Diageo for Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila, which reportedly earned him nearly $1 billion in revenue. He expanded his influence with ventures like Bad Boy Records, Sean John clothing, and Revolt TV, and by 2025, estimates placed his net worth near $1 billion. But as his legal woes intensified, major deals have dissolved—Ciroc’s parent company Diageo ended their partnership with Combs in 2023 after a public dispute over business commitments.

Combs remains a towering, if embattled, figure in hip-hop and Black entrepreneurship. The approaching trial, set against the backdrop of his declining business relationships and mounting legal costs, represents a pivotal moment for the mogul. Listeners following this story are witnessing a saga that could reshape the legacy of one of music’s most influential and controversial figures.