Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ week seemed off to a good start.
He spent Monday morning relaxing on the turf in New York’s Central Park before meeting up with his son Christian to wander the streets of Manhattan.
Adoring fans ran up to snap selfies and shake the hand of their idol, who flashed a prized smile from behind a pair of thick superstar sunglasses as he revelled in the attention.
But Diddy’s big day out in the Big Apple was brought to an abrupt end when Homeland Security officers busted into his Manhattan hotel room and took him into custody late last night.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Combs, 54, was apprehended in connection with a Southern District of New York-issued sealed indictment – but federal officials said they will ask a judge to unseal the indictment today.
The major move comes 10 months after allegations of sexual and other abuse against the music mogul, and an announcement from prosecutors that he was being investigated for sex trafficking.
Here is a look at the key events that have unfolded since late last year.
Cassie says in a lawsuit that Combs subjected her to years of abuse, including beatings and rape.
Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, signed to Combs’ label in 2005, and the two were on-again-off-again romantic partners for more than a decade starting in 2007.
The lawsuit filed in federal court says Combs was ‘prone to uncontrollable rage’ and subjected her to ‘savage’ beatings.
It says he plied her with drugs, forced her to have sex with other men, and raped her in her home as she was trying to end the relationship in 2018.
Combs, through his attorney, ‘vehemently denies’ the accusations.
With staggering speed, Ventura’s lawsuit is settled the day after it is filed.
The terms of the agreement are kept confidential.
‘We have decided to resolve this matter amicably,’ Combs says in a statement. ‘I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.’
Two more women accuse Combs of sexual abuse in lawsuits filed on the eve of the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law permitting victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file civil action regardless of the statute of limitations.
The lawsuits, filed by Joi Dickerson and another woman who was not named, allege acts of sexual assault, beatings and forced drugging in the early 1990s by Combs, then a talent director, party promoter and rising figure in New York City’s hip-hop community.
Combs’ attorneys call the allegations false.
Combs temporarily steps down as chairman of his cable television network, Revolt, because of the wave of sexual abuse allegations.
It would be one of several business setbacks for Combs brought on by the lawsuits.
