Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs charged, denied bail

Pravin Gordhan’s body leaves his family home in Pretoria. 
Pravin Gordhan’s body leaves his family home in Pretoria. 
NEW YORK – Superstar rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty to racketeering and sex trafficking charges, and was ordered to remain in custody pending a trial.
Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York on Monday evening and accused in a just-unsealed three-count criminal indictment alleging he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.
Appearing in a Manhattan courtroom where many family members came to support him, the one-time music dignitary pleaded not guilty. His lawyer asked Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky to allow his release on bail.
After a lengthy bail hearing in which the prosecution voiced concerns including the potential for witness tampering and flight risk, Judge Tarnofsky denied bail, saying she was concerned about a “power imbalance” in the case that includes people she said are “subject to coercion.”
She also cited concerns over his alleged propensity for anger, violence and substance abuse.
Combs, who was wearing black t-shirt, grey sweatpants and sneakers, did not noticeably react to the pre-trial detention ruling, which his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said would be appealed.
Along with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, Combs is charged with one count of transporting victims across state lines to engage in prostitution.
Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said that although Combs is the only person indicted for now the investigation is ongoing.
The indictment alleges that for decades Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”
It accused him of running a criminal enterprise that carried out “sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”