Rapper and media mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is currently sitting in jail away from the plush comfort he is used to after being denied bail.
A New York federal judge remanded the musician in custody on Tuesday after prosecutors argued he was a "serious flight risk".
The 54-year-old rapper and music mogul pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution during a court hearing on Tuesday.
A 14-page indictment charges him with racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
If convicted on all three counts, the rapper and record producer faces a sentence of 15 years up to life in prison.
Diddy has been preparing for this legal fight, he moved to New York in anticipation of his arrest. In April, he handed his passport back to his legal counsel and had a proposal to avoid jail with a $50 million bond (about R877 million).
The $50 million bond was reportedly co-signed by Diddy’s family, including his mother Janice Combs, sister Keisha Combs and three of his sons, several of whom had surrendered their own passports when the Bad Boy Records founder's homes were raided in March.
According to court documents, Combs "wielded the power" of his status to "lure female victims... to engage in extended sex acts" called "Freak Offs".
"During Freak Offs, Combs distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant," the indictment said.
The revelations by US prosecutor Damian Williams that officials found firearms, ammunition and more than 1,000 bottles of lubricant during raids on Diddy’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles, have raised many questions among the public.
Diddy’s legal woes have been mounting, with it all ending possibly with the Bad Boy Records founder behind bars.
His ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, known as Cassie, in November filed a civil lawsuit against him that included graphic descriptions of violent abuse.
Diddy initially denied the accusations, but settled the case a day after it was filed.
Things took a turn for the worst in May, when a video from a Los Angeles hotel showed Diddy being violent with Cassie. He released a video on Instagram trying to damage control over the situation in what seemed to be an apology.
Four women, including Cassie, have filed lawsuits accusing him of sexual and physical abuse.
Diddy’s next hearing in the case will take place next Wednesday on September 25, and he has vowed to fight the allegations.
His lawyer told reporters outside the court in Manhattan: "He's going to fight this. He's innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence.
"We believe in him wholeheartedly. He didn't do these things. There's no coercion and no crime."
The judge denied Diddy's request, citing among other reasons his substance abuse and anger issues.
IOL Entertainment