At least six new lawsuits filed against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, first from minor
Another round of lawsuits filed against Sean Diddy Combs on Monday, Oct. 14, accuse the rapper of raping women, sexually molesting an underaged boy, and sexually assaulting men. Until these new lawsuits, Comb had been accused only of sex crimes against adults.
At least six lawsuits were filed against the hip hop star on Oct. 14 in Manhattan federal court. All of the lawsuits were anonymous and came from two women and four men.
In the latest round of filings, a man who was 16 at the time, said Combs fondled his genitals in 1998, telling him that “it was a rite of passage to becoming a music star.” The man said he agreed to the act out of fear of Combs, only realizing later he was sexually molested.
The other lawsuits filed on Oct. 14 alleged that Combs raped people, forced people to perform oral sex and drugged people to incapacitate them during sexual assaults.
The latest accusers are among more than 100 alleged victims of Combs’ following his sex trafficking arrest on Sept. 16. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Prosecutors say that Combs kept his victims silent with threats of blackmail and physical violence including kidnapping and beatings.
Two judges have refused to release Combs on bail, saying he is a danger to the community.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to stand trial on federal charges in May
American rapper and record executive Sean “Diddy” Combs will stand trial on federal sex trafficking, racketeering and conspiracy charges in May, a judge ruled Thursday, Oct. 10, during Diddy’s appearance for a hearing in a Manhattan courtroom. According to the indictment, Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”
Prosecutors say he engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, obstruction of justice, violence toward women and those close to him, among other crimes dating back to 2008.
In May 2024, CNN published hotel security footage from 2016 showing Combs at a Los Angeles hotel grabbing, striking and dragging his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, through the hotel hallway. Days later, Combs apologized in a video posted to his social media.
“I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses,” Combs said. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
Combs’ legal team filed a 17-page motion Wednesday, Oct. 9, accusing federal officials of “leaking” the hotel video, claiming prosecutors are attempting to destroy his reputation, taint the jury pool, “and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”
Federal prosecutors denied leaking the video.
Combs’ attorneys are seeking a gag order in the case. The judge has ordered both the prosecution and the defense not to share information or materials with the media or public about the case.
The judge has also ordered Combs to remain behind bars until his trial begins May 5. Combs is due back in court Dec. 18. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Separate from the federal charges, Combs is also facing more than 100 lawsuits from women and men across the country that accuse him of rape and assault, according to Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee.
New Mexico AG sues Snapchat, says it knew about ‘rampant’ sextortion
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said Tuesday, Oct. 1, that internal documents from Snapchat show the company knew sextortion was rampant on the social media platform but did nothing to stop it. The documents, which are part of an ongoing lawsuit, were unredacted Tuesday.
In the lawsuit, Torrez claimed Snapchat’s parent company, Snap, knew about a “sextortion handbook” circulating the dark web, which gave instructions on how use the Snap Maps feature to target a school.
Sextortion is when a person leads a victim to send naked or compromising photos of themselves – then threatens the victim to make the images public unless the victim pays money or performs sexual favors.
The lawsuit also says in 2022 alone, Snap employees were aware of 10,000 reports of sextortion involving the platform each month, and in an internal company email it acknowledged the reports likely only accounted for a “fraction of this abuse.”
The lawsuit also claims multiple reports about sextortion and grooming made against the same users were mostly ignored. It also alleges internal data collected by Snap shows about a third of its young users had been exposed to unwanted contact.
Snapchat responded to the filing in a statement on its website Tuesday, saying, “We designed Snapchat as a place to communicate with a close circle of friends, with built-in safety guardrails, and have made deliberate design choices to make it difficult for strangers to discover minors on our service.”
Combs is already being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs has been placed on suicide watch. He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said he is innocent of all charges.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
We have a recap of the first, and likely only, vice presidential debate of 2024. And Iran has launched its largest attack ever on Israel. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
For the first time, the two vice presidential candidates took the stage next to one another Tuesday night, Oct. 1. Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced themselves to American voters while defending their running mates’ opposing views.
Vance and Walz kept the vice presidential debate cordial, at various times saying they agreed with the other, but they sparred on the policies and the statements made by their parties’ presidential nominees, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Look if you’re going to be president, you don’t have all the answers. Donald Trump believes he does. My pro tip of the day is this, if you need heart surgery, listen to the people at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, not Donald Trump,” Walz said.
“I honestly, Tim, I think you got a tough job here because you’ve got to play whack-a-mole; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver rising take-home pay, which of course he did; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver lower inflation, which of course he did; and then you simultaneously got to defend Kamala Harris’ atrocious economic record,” Vance said.
The debate covered many topics including abortion, climate change, the economy and health care. The two opened the 90-minute CBS News debate discussing the conflict in the Middle East and the need for stability in the White House.
“I’m 40 years old, when was the last time that an American president didn’t have a major conflict break out? The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was president,” Vance said.
“So Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump’s fickle leadership. And when Iran shot down an American aircraft in international airspace, Donald Trump tweeted because that’s the standard diplomacy of Donald Trump,” Walz said.
On illegal immigration, Vance and Walz disagreed on whether former President Trump’s involvement helps or hurts solving the border crisis.
“But as soon as I was getting ready to pass [legislation] and actually tackle this, Donald Trump said no, told them to vote against it because it gives him a campaign issue,” Walz said.
“We have a historic immigration crisis because Kamala Harris started and said that she wanted to undo all of Donald Trump’s border policies — 94 executive orders, suspending deportations, decriminalizing illegal aliens, massively increasing the asylum fraud that exists in our system. That has opened the floodgates,” Vance said.
When the debate turned to gun violence, the two VP contenders shared a moment, highlighting the human aspect and often the aftermath.
“I think all the parents watching tonight, this is just your biggest nightmare. Look, I got a 17-year-old and he witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball, those things don’t leave you,” Walz said.
When it was his turn to speak, Vance responded, “Tim, first of all, I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting and I’m sorry about that and I hope he’s doing OK. Christ have mercy, it is it is awful.”
Things, however, turned contentious over the 2020 election and Jan. 6.
“[January 6, 2021] was a threat to our democracy in a way that we had not seen, and it manifested itself because of Donald Trump’s inability to say — he is still saying, he didn’t lose the election,” Walz said.
Vance replied, “Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?”
“That is a damning non-answer,” Walz said.
Both candidates thanked each other for the debate and the viewers at home, who will make their decision at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 5, in just 34 days.
Trump backs out of ’60 Minutes’ election special; Harris interview to still air
CBS News says former President Trump has backed out an upcoming interview with “60 Minutes.”
For decades, “60 Minutes” has broadcast election specials with the candidates. CBS reported both Trump and Vice President Harris had agreed to take part in this year’s special in separate one-on-one interviews, but Trump has since reportedly changed his mind.
In a press conference last night, Trump said his decision was based on his last interview with CBS anchor Lesley Stahl in 2020 — which he walked out of early.
“They came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first, I want to get an apology because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the laptop from hell was from Russia. And I said, ‘It wasn’t from Russia, it was from Hunter [Biden].’ And I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes’, I do everything.”
In a statement of its own, “60 Minutes” said the special will still move forward.
“Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned,” the statement read. “Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on ’60 Minutes’ stands.”
The special is set to air Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
Iran launches largest-ever attack on Israel; Israel vows retaliation
Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran launched its largest ever attack on Israel. Late Tuesday, Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which seem to have been intercepted by the Israeli military with help from the United States and other allies.
So far, one person has been reported to have died in the attack, and the extent of the damage is not yet known.
Iran’s military chief also warned of broader strikes if Israel responds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already vowed to do so, saying, “Iran made a big mistake and it will pay for it.”
Also Tuesday, just before Iran’s barrage began, at least six people were killed and a dozen more hurt when Israeli police say two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a train station in Tel Aviv. Police say the shooting was an act of terrorism and one of the gunmen was killed at the scene while the other was severely injured.
No specific group has claimed responsibility for that deadly attack.
Search and rescue efforts continue in North Carolina after Helene
Combs is already being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said he is innocent of all charges.
Louisiana governor supports bringing back live tiger mascot to LSU games
College sports are known for fierce competition. Now the governor of Louisiana is looking at making things even more ferocious by bringing back an old Louisiana State University football mainstay.
Officials from PETA are now speaking out against the idea, saying it would be cruel and dangerous for the animal.
These days, the current tiger mascot is on campus in an enclosure near the stadium, but the governor says returning the tiger to the field would be “an unbelievable opportunity.” LSU officials have not yet commented on whether there is a possibility of seeing a live tiger at football games once again.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs placed on suicide watch in Brooklyn after arrest
Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been placed on suicide watch at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The jail officials’ move followed Combs’ arrest on sex trafficking and racketeering charges on Monday, Sept. 16.
Although Combs has not shown any suicidal tendencies, jail officials are conducting hourly checks. These heightened security measures come in response to the high-profile nature of the case and lingering concerns stemming from the 2019 death of Jeffrey Epstein in a similar facility.
Combs is reportedly enduring harsh living conditions in a small, noisy cell. He also has limited access to amenities and restricted commissary access. The challenging environment, paired with the seriousness of the charges, further intensified public scrutiny.
Authorities placed Combs under close surveillance as his legal team continues to work on his defense. So far, his team has not released any official comments regarding his placement under suicide watch or the ongoing conditions of his detention.
As the case progresses, the music mogul’s future hangs in the balance. Many online outlets and social media users continue to speculate on how this high-profile case will unfold in the weeks ahead.
Combs is set to remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. Officials continue to take precautionary measures to ensure his safety within the facility.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of witness tampering, intimidation; bail denied
A U.S. district judge upheld a decision on Wednesday, Sept. 18, to deny hip-hop superstar Sean “Diddy” Combs bail after accusations of witness tampering. Combs’ legal team claimed that the rapper could post a $50 million bond, but Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied the request on Tuesday, Sept. 17. She said, even if bond were posted, she couldn’t “reasonably assure his return to court or the safety of the community, or a lack of witness tampering.”
Authorities believe that Combs tried to silence people who might speak out against him. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter Jr. upheld the decision to deny bail after an appeal from Combs’ legal team.
Prosecutors said since being sued in November by his ex-girlfriend, who accused him of years of physical and sexual abuse, Combs has tried to get in touch with her and other witnesses who have received grand jury subpoenas, as well as a person he allegedly harmed. He reportedly called or texted one of the potential witnesses 58 times over a period of four days.
Prosecutors argue that Combs’ power and influence give him the ability to “intimidate” witnesses and victims. Prosecutors said that witnesses they interviewed expressed a fear of Combs.
Combs’ defense contends that he did not know he was under a criminal investigation when he contacted the witnesses and victims, and do not see it as an “obstruction of justice,” adding, that he is not a threat to flee and has “earned” the court’s trust.
Combs is indicted on accusations that he ran a “criminal enterprise” through his businesses, which involved sex trafficking, kidnapping, arson and forced labor. The indictment alleges Combs “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Rapper and hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Authorities said Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 17, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
The indictment alleges Combs has been involved in a list of criminal activities from 2008 through the present day.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Hezbollah is blaming Israel after pagers used by the militant group exploded killing at least nine people and injuring thousands. And former President Donald Trump holds his first campaign event since the second apparent assassination attempt on his life. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Multiple explosions in Lebanon have killed at least nine people and left nearly 3,000 injured. Explosives inside pagers used by the militant group Hezbollah were set off Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 17.
The Iran-backed group blames Israel for the attack. Hezbollah said an 8-year-old was among those killed and Iran’s envoy to Beirut was among the injured.
Sources told Reuters Israel’s Mossad spy agency had planted the explosives inside 5,000 pagers. An American source and other officials confirmed to the New York Times that Israel was behind the operation.
The pagers appeared to be from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. In a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 18, Gold Apollo said they were manufactured by another company based in Budapest that was authorized to use Gold Appollo’s brand.
Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers to bypass Israeli location-tracking following a warning by group leaders earlier this year saying cell phones were more dangerous than Israeli spies.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging strikes shortly after Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Tuesday’s blasts add to the growing concern over a larger war in the Middle East.
Secretary of State of Antony Blinken will be in Egypt Wednesday to work on securing a cease-fire agreement to put an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas and see the release of the hostages who remain in Gaza.
Trump, Harris both use assassination attempt to highlight policy proposals
Former President Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail Tuesday, holding his first event since the second apparent attempt on his life over the weekend. During a town hall in Flint, Michigan Trump told Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders the assassination attempts are proof his policy proposals are powerful.
“It’s a dangerous business however, being president,” Trump said. “It’s a little bit dangerous. It’s, you know, they think racecar driving is dangerous. No. They think bull-riding, that’s pretty scary, right? No, this is a dangerous business and we have to keep it safe.”
He later added, “You know, only consequential presidents get shot at.”
Trump also said both President Joe Biden and, his opponent in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris called him after the assassination attempt, saying it was “very nice” and he appreciated it.
“Not everybody has Secret Service,” Harris said, “and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe. I mean, I look at Project 2025 and I look at the ‘don’t say gay laws’ coming out of Florida. Members of the LGBTQ community don’t feel safe right now. Immigrants or people with an immigrant background don’t feel safe right now. Women don’t feel safe right now.”
Both candidates are focusing on swing areas that could decide the election, which is expected to be a close one.
Trump is set to campaign in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina this week. Harris will also stop in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days.
Speaker Johnson to bring spending bill up for vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to put his short-term spending plan up for a vote Wednesday, though there are signs it will not get the GOP support needed to pass.
Johnson previously pulled a stopgap bill that was coupled with the SAVE Act — which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections — after it became clear it was unlikely to get enough Republican approval to pass. House Democrats also opposed the plan, though it would keep the government funded through most of March.
Congress has until the end of September to pass at least a temporary measure keeping the government open, otherwise a shutdown looms Oct. 1.
Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for first time since 2020
The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. However, it’s not yet known by how much.
Straight Arrow News Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a closer look here.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Authorities say Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Billie Jean King to make history as Congressional Gold Medal recipient
Tennis hall of famer Billie Jean King is being recognized with a prestigious Congressional Gold Medal for her efforts on and off the tennis court.
The measure had already passed the Senate and on Tuesday night, it passed the House, making Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to ever receive the congressional honor.
🚨 History made! 🚨 The House just passed my bipartisan, bicameral bill to award my friend, @BillieJeanKing, legendary athlete, and ardent advocate, the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first female athlete to ever receive this honor—yet another iconic trailblazing moment… pic.twitter.com/kbkkym0aVN
“Mister speaker, it is now time to enshrine Billie Jean King’s legacy as not only a champion of tennis, but a champion of equality whose impact will continue to inspire women and girls and people across America and across the world,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said before the measure was passed.
After receiving the news that she would receive the Congressional Gold Medal, King took to X to say, “Thank you. I am deeply humbled and honored.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs indicted on sex trafficking, kidnapping charges
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and kidnapping. The indictment was unsealed Tuesday, Sept. 17, the morning after Combs’ arrest at a Manhattan hotel.
The indictment alleges that from 2008 to the present, members of the Combs enterprise were involved in a range of criminal activities, including sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for prostitution, coercion, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors claim that while the Combs enterprise was intended to operate a global business in media, entertainment, and lifestyle sectors, it also sought to maintain Combs’ power and fulfill his personal desires, particularly through the exploitation of women and commercial sex workers.
One notable aspect of the indictment is the reference to “freak off” parties, which were described as elaborate sex performances arranged and directed by Combs. The indictment alleges that Combs participated in and recorded these activities.
The indictment further claims that Combs used deception to lure women into romantic relationships, only to coerce them into prolonged sex acts with male sex workers. After these encounters, both Combs and the victims were reportedly administered IV fluids to recover from the physical strain and drugs used during the parties, according to the court documents.
Combs has been in the news recently, with raids conducted at his homes in Beverly Hills and Miami. Court documents reveal that the raids uncovered narcotics, more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, and firearms, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and high-capacity magazines.
The indictment also includes allegations of violence against women, detailing incidents where Combs allegedly assaulted women by striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects, and kicking them. It refers to a video-recorded incident from March 2016 at a Los Angeles, California hotel, showing him assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims and witnesses into silence through bribery. If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has pledged to “fight like hell” for his client’s release on bail and maintains that Combs is not only not guilty but outright innocent.