Music mogul Sean Combs may not be short on cash to defend himself against the troubling charges that federal prosecutors in New York brought against him Tuesday. But his fortune may not be enough to keep him free by the time his trial begins and possibly for the rest of his life. One of his lawyers has indicated he is willing to pay $50 million to avoid going back to prison. Judge Robyn Tarnofsky rejected the offer, citing Combs’ angry outbursts and history of drug abuse. “My concern is that this is a crime that is taking place behind closed doors,” she said.
Combs, whose empire is based in part on his success as a producer for the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. The 14-page indictment describes him as “the leader of a years-long criminal enterprise that threatened and abused women, coercing them into participating against their will in drug-fueled orgies with male prostitutes and threatening them with violence or loss of financial support if they refused to do so,” the indictment summarized. New York Times.
His lawyer laid the foundation for his defense by accusing federal prosecutors of pursuing Combs, aka Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, PD and Love, for consensual sexual activity over a 10-year period that included his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura.
In objecting to Combs’ bail, Emily Johnson, a member of the federal prosecution team, called the Harlem native a “serial abuser and obstructor” and said his wealth would allow him to easily escape undetected.
Combs’ attorneys will appeal Judge Tarnosfsky’s decision to deny their client bail.
(Photo Getty Images)
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