Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrested at Park Hyatt.
Bad Boy Records founder, Sean “Diddy” Combs, the rapper and music mogul, has been arrested in New York City yesterday. The 54-year-old was taken into custody by law enforcement at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan, according to a representative, although the specific charges remain unclear.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, indicated that the arrest was “based on a sealed indictment” and anticipates providing further details once the document is made public.
Combs’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed his disappointment regarding the decision to “pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” He further stated, “Diddy is an imperfect person but is not a criminal.” Agnifilo emphasized that “Mr. Combs has been entirely cooperative with this investigation and voluntarily moved to New York last week in preparation for these charges.” He urged the public to “reserve judgment until all facts are known,” asserting that these actions reflect those of an innocent individual with nothing to conceal, and that Combs is eager to vindicate himself in court.
This arrest occurs in the context of multiple lawsuits against Combs alleging sexual assault, alongside an ongoing federal investigation.
A statement from lawyers representing some of those who have made accusations against Sean Combs said the “long awaited arrest is the first step for our clients receiving justice”.
“The evidence is very clear and it was only a matter of time,” the statement from lawyers Rodney Diggs and Tyrone Blackburn read.
“This is an important step towards justice for all of Mr Combs’ victims including my clients. Justice will prevail.”
Earlier this year, Dawn Richard, a former Bad Boy Records singer filed a lawsuit against Combs, alleging sexual assault, battery, sex trafficking, and gender discrimination. Richard initiated legal proceedings in New York and is also suing Harve Pierre, the former CEO of Bad Boy Records.