Sean “Diddy” Combs found himself in the grip of federal authorities late Monday night, as agents descended on a Manhattan hotel where the music mogul had been staying for several weeks.
The surprise arrest, as revealed by an insider, left Combs blindsided.
U.S. Attorney, Damian Williams, later confirmed the apprehension, stating that federal agents acted on a sealed indictment from the Southern District of New York.
The specifics of the charges remain undisclosed, casting a shroud of mystery over the unexpected turn of events in the bustling heart of New York City.
“We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” Williams said.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, voiced his dismay in a statement, noting that the 54-year-old had fully cooperated with the investigation and even “voluntarily moved to New York last week, in anticipation of these charges”
“Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community,” the statement said.
“He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal.”
“These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court,” it added.
Although the specific charges leading to Combs’ arrest were not immediately disclosed.
Recall that since November, Combs, the rapper who transitioned into a music mogul, has been hit with several lawsuits, one just last week, alleging sexual misconduct and assault.
The wave of legal battles began when his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, known by her stage name Cassie, filed a federal lawsuit accusing him of years of physical and sexual abuse.
Ventura, who was previously signed to Combs’ Bad Boy record label, reached a settlement with him just a day after filing the lawsuit.
The terms of the settlement remain confidential, and while Combs’ lawyer stated the agreement was not an admission of guilt, Combs has consistently denied the allegations.