News
Diddy Indicted On Racketeering, Sex Trafficking & More
On Monday, September 16, Sean “Diddy” Combs was taken into federal custody in New York following a grand jury indictment, just days after Dawn Richard, a former member of his groups Danity Kane and Dirty Money, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and failure to provide fair compensation.
The indictment, initially sealed, was unsealed on Tuesday, September 17, revealing that the music mogul faces three charges:racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The federal document states that Diddy “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and others.”
With allegations dating back to 2008, the indictment accuses Combs of abusing, threatening, and coercing women over the years “to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his behavior.”
This development follows an ongoing federal investigation involving sex trafficking and other criminal offenses, which led to search warrants being executed at his homes in Beverly Hills and Miami in March.
Last November, former Bad Boy singer and model Cassie filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of rape and prolonged physical abuse spanning over a decade. The legal action, filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan under the Adult Survivors Act, detailed that the abuse began shortly after Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, signed with Combs’ Bad Boy Records at age 19.
In May, CNN obtained footage of Sean “Diddy” Combs brutally assaulting Cassie in 2016 at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
The unsealed indictment portrays Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise involved in activities including sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. It also describes the “Freak Off” parties, where Combs allegedly organized and directed elaborate sexual performances, during which he would often masturbate and record the events electronically.
As previously reported, Cassie’s lawsuit, which was settled within 24 hours, detailed a disturbing practice referred to as “voyeurism,” where Combs allegedly coerced her into participating in sexual encounters with male prostitutes while he watched, filmed, and photographed. These events, referred to as “freak offs,” took place in luxury hotels and at Combs’ residences across the U.S.
The indictment also reveals that during the raids on Combs’ homes, authorities seized various “freak off” supplies, including narcotics and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Firearms were also discovered, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and a drum magazine.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, after public allegations surfaced, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims and witnesses, including through bribery, to remain silent.
If convicted, Diddy is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S Attorney Damian Williams opposes granting bail, as his office believes he is both a flight risk and a threat to society.
Culture
Lloyd Banks Announces ‘All Or Nothing Vol. 3: Despite My Mistakes’
After releasing Halloween Havoc IV: The 72nd Hour last October, Lloyd Banks is back on social media to announce his upcoming project, All Or Nothing Vol. 3: Despite My Mistakes. This will be the third installment in the All Or Nothing series, following Failure’s No Option (F.N.O.) in 2013 and Live It Up in 2016. As of now, Banks has yet to reveal an official release date.
Culture
Kanye West Announces New Solo Album ‘Bully’
After collaborating with Ty Dolla $ign on Vulture 1 & 2, Kanye West surprised fans by announcing his forthcoming solo album titled Bully during a live performance at the Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China.
“I got a new album coming out,” he revealed to the audience. “The album’s called ‘Bully,’ and this song is called ‘Beauty and the Beast.’” He then debuted the song, which features his signature vocal style over an instrumental. The lyrics include, “I still think about it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience / Don’t take this disrespect, I’m sitting here trying to redirect.”
Watch Kanye in the clip below.
KANYE WEST
— MukzsRAP (@mukzsRAP) September 28, 2024
BULLY 💿
(SOLO ALBUM)
🚨COMING SOON🚨 pic.twitter.com/OIcoPzRwzT
News
Young Dolph Murder Suspect Claims Yo Gotti’s Brother Big Jook Placed $100K Bounty on Rapper
Smith revealed that he had only received $800 of the promised $100,000 payment before his arrest, with Big Jook later adding $50,000 to his lawyer’s retainer.
The murder trial of Young Dolph began on Monday, September 23.
During the trial of his co-defendant Justin Johnson, murder suspect Cornelius Smith took the stand and admitted to shooting the rapper, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., outside Makeda’s Butter Cookies in Memphis on November 17, 2021. The shooting, which occurred in broad daylight, was reportedly part of a $100,000 bounty placed by Yo Gotti’s brother, Big Jook.
Yo Gotti and Young Dolph had a well-known feud dating back to 2016. In September 2017, an associate of Yo Gotti was arrested for attempted murder after a shooting targeting Dolph, but the charges were later dropped.
Smith testified that he was the one seen firing the semi-automatic weapon in the CCTV footage of Dolph’s murder. While Johnson is the only one of the three suspects currently on trial, Smith’s testimony was pivotal in building the case against him.
Smith also revealed that he had only received $800 of the promised $100,000 payment before his arrest, with Big Jook later adding $50,000 to his lawyer’s retainer. “I wasn’t feeling anything at the time,” Smith stated. “I’m not gonna lie. I was just trying to get some money.”
Big Jook, born Anthony Mims, lost his life earlier this year on January 13 following a shooting incident at a Memphis restaurant after a funeral service. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to Fox 13 Memphis.
Yo Gotti has yet to comment on the allegations that his brother was involved in Dolph’s death.
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