Jury selection began this week in the federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs in New York. The music figure faces charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence if a jury finds him guilty. He has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
The start of the trial follows a period marked by multiple lawsuit filings against Combs, including one brought by his former partner, the musician Cassie Ventura, in November 2023. Her legal action garnered significant public attention and may have influenced the subsequent federal investigation leading to the criminal charges.
Ventura's lawsuit detailed allegations of abuse over a decade-long relationship that began when she was 19 and he was 37. The claims included accusations of forced substance use, physical violence, and forced sexual acts. Combs denied Ventura's allegations, and the parties settled out of court one day after the suit was filed.
Ventura's filing occurred shortly before the expiration of the window provided by New York's Adult Survivors Act. This legislation permitted alleged victims of sexual violence to file civil claims even after the standard statute of limitations had passed. Similar "lookback window" measures have emerged across the country following the #MeToo movement. New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law also provided a two-year lookback window for cases tied to gender-motivated violence, under which additional suits against Combs were filed.
The federal prosecution team handling the case includes eight lawyers. Among them is Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. Maurene Comey joined the team in December, months after Combs was initially charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Maurene Comey has experience with high-profile cases, having served as a lead prosecutor in the criminal case against Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was found guilty on five counts in 2021 and received a 20-year prison sentence for her role in facilitating the abuse of minor girls alongside Jeffrey Epstein. Comey was also involved in the case against Epstein before his death in 2019. She graduated from Harvard Law School and joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in 2015.
Observers in the courtroom noted a change in Combs' appearance following several months in jail. Reports describe him as showing signs of aging, with graying hair and a goatee visible during jury selection proceedings.
The federal indictment against Combs alleges he engaged in or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, forced labor, and other acts. A video released earlier this year showed Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway, footage expected to be presented as evidence.
