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Diddy’s ‘rich and powerful’ friends such as Jay-Z could be forced to testify in disgraced rapper’s sex trafficking trial
Diddy's inner circle could end up being dragged to court after his arrest
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Combs, 54, was arrested on Monday, and a wide-ranging indictment was unsealed, revealing the disturbing allegations.
The rapper, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing multiple charges of sex trafficking and racketeering as well as transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has been a central figure in Hollywood for decades and his inner circle has included the likes of Jay-Z and Beyonce, Rick Ross, Usher, and Justin Bieber.
Comb's lavish 50th birthday, held at a Beverly Hills mansion in 2019, also saw Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pharrell, and Snoop Dogg in attendance.
Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani, the President of West Coast Trial Lawyers, spoke to The U.S. Sun about how his famous friends could be impacted by any upcoming trial.
"Jay-Z and other celebrities can be subpoenaed, but they will almost certainly assert their Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and refuse to testify," he said.
"People who participated in the sex acts should especially be afraid because they can also be charged with sex trafficking or prostitution, depending on whether they used threats or force against the victims.
"If Jay-Z is just a witness who didn't participate in the sex acts, he may be subpoenaed to testify at trial.
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He's probably the most toxic person in America right now."
Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani
"But I don't think he will be subpoenaed if he was a participant. He'll either be charged or not called to testify.
"If you're a prosecutor, you don't want witnesses who participated in criminal activity but are getting a pass."
'Justice is coming for Diddy just like R Kelly,' victim's lawyer says as rapper is arrested amid sex trafficking probe
The rapper and Jay-Z have been particularly close for many years with their friendship dating back to the early 1990s.
In March, 50 Cent, who is working on a documentary about Combs's case, previously questioned why Jay-Z had remained silent following police raids on the star's home.
In a joke post on , he shared a photo of a milk carton with a picture of Jay-Z emblazoned on the side and the word 'missing'.
Rahmani went on, "It would be a shocking twist if any of Combs's rich and powerful friends participated in the sex acts and if he were to flip on them, like Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell should have done.
"It would be surprising because he's the most culpable and prosecutors aren't going to necessarily cut him a deal, especially when they have less culpable witnesses who will be able to offer that testimony."
Rahmani believes none of his well-known pals are going to support him going forward, and only his family and closest friends may have his back as he faces years behind bars.
Diddy's abuse allegations first came to light almost a year ago when his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, sued him for rape and physical abuse.
She eventually settled with Combs, but shortly after CNN obtained exclusive surveillance footage of him allegedly physically assaulting her in a hotel hallway.
Rahmani went on, "The video of him beating Cassie was so disturbing that he's already lost the PR battle and he's probably the most toxic person in America right now.
It comes as...
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs hit with sex trafficking charges
- Damning indictment accuses rapper of holding drug-fueled Freak Offs that lasted days
- Diddy to remain in custody after being denied '$50 million bail'
- Star's entourage 'could be charged' over 'Freak Off supplies' after 1,000 bottles of lube and baby oil seized
- Arrest took place in New York City hotel Monday night
- Victim's lawyer says rapper 'will face justice like R. Kelly'
"I am surprised it took prosecutors six months to charge him after his Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided.
"Normally, an indictment happens in a matter of days or weeks after a raid, because you don't want a defendant to flee, destroy evidence, or tamper with witnesses.
"I think prosecutors were concerned the victims in the case may go sideways at trial. Many of them have sued Combs, who is reportedly worth $1 billion.
"Combs could enter into civil settlements, pay them off, and discourage them from testifying.
"Or he could intimidate the victims, which isn't far-fetched if you believe the allegations in the indictment or civil lawsuits."
Combs is currently a defendant in at least eight civil cases with multiple people accusing him of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity.
Diddy's downfall
By The U.S. Sun's Senior Reporter Forrest McFarland, who has been reporting on Diddy's legal battles for years
BEFORE Sean "Diddy" Combs' arrest on Monday night, it had been highly speculated that the rap star would find himself in custody after he was repeatedly hit with disturbing accusations - and had two of his mansions raided by the feds.
His mounting legal troubles finally came to a head on September 17, when he was charged with three federal counts, including sex trafficking, for allegedly forcing victims to take part in drug-fueled sex parties he called "Freak Offs."
Hours before his arrest, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed the feds investigating Combs were secretly liaising with Tupac Shakur murder prosecutors on gangland activities.
The development also came after Combs was named 77 times in documents submitted by prosecutors in the Tupac murder case.
Aside from the Tupac probe, Combs was already facing a slew of lawsuits, including one he settled with his ex, Cassie Ventura, after she accused him of rape and abuse.
Disturbing hotel surveillance video from 2016 showed Combs chasing Cassie down and then punching, kicking, and beating her in a hallway.
Two months earlier, in March 2024, two of Combs' mansions were raided by federal investigators, who seized three AR-15s, drugs, and 1,000 bottles of lube which were part of his "Freak Off" supplies.
In addition to his federal criminal charges, Combs also faces a handful of lawsuits with allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and sex trafficking dating back to the early 1990s.
Music producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones filed one suit in February 2024, claiming Combs forced him to hire sex workers and participate in sex acts while he worked on his latest album.
Combs has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the federal sex trafficking charges against him, but his battle is far from over.
He faces life in prison if he's convicted on all counts.
Similar claims were laid out in a grand jury indictment this week.
Prosecutors alleged Combs threw wild parties he labeled "freak offs" where he would fly in escorts for days of X-rated sessions.
They claim once sex workers were at the parties they would be coerced through money and intimidation into performing nonconsensual acts.
Combs also allegedly recorded the sessions while he masturbated.
Following hedonistic days of drug use and drinking, participants were often mailed IV bags to help recover from the chaos, the indictment claims.
The charges allege Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct."
US District Judge Andrew L. Carter denied bail on Wednesday after both the prosecution and defense presented their cases, stating it was proved "by clear and convincing evidence" that bail - regardless of the amount - couldn't guarantee Combs wouldn't tamper with witnesses.
The minimum sentence if convicted is at least 15 years.
Diddy is fighting the allegations and attorney Rahmani says he has the right to a speedy trial, which means he can demand one in 70 days, but this will be unlikely considering what's at stake.
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He added, "Most criminal defendants waive that right so they can prepare. I expect a trial later in 2025 or maybe even 2026."
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If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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