When is Diddy's trial? What is worth knowing about his legal problems

Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of the most successful rappers and music moguls in the US, will soon go to trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

At Thursday's hearing, which Mr. Combs attended, the judge ruled that his trial would begin on May 5 next year.

In addition to the criminal case, Mr. Combs is being sued by dozens of people accusing him of sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse.

Combs pleaded not guilty in the criminal trial, and the rapper's lawyers have repeatedly maintained his innocence, calling the charges against him “false and defamatory.”

Here is a description of his legal problems.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian set the trial for May next year, and it will take place in Manhattan.

On Thursday, the rapper appeared in court for the third time since his arrest.

Prosecutor Emily Johnson told the judge the government would need three weeks to present its case.

Defenseman Marc Agnifilo said the rapper's team would need a week for his team.

The rapper faces both criminal charges in federal court. He also faces multiple lawsuits from people who accuse him of harming and exploiting them.

In a federal criminal case, Combs was accused of kidnapping, drugging and forcing women to perform sexual acts, sometimes at gunpoint or by threatening them with violence.

When police raided his Los Angeles residence, they found supplies they believed were intended for so-called “freak” orgies, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil.

Separately, Mr. Combs is facing a number of lawsuits accusing him of rape and assault.

Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney handling some of the cases, said more than 100 women and men from across the United States have filed or will soon file lawsuits against the rap mogul.

Some say the assaults occurred when they were minors, including as young as nine, Buzbee said.

Combs' current legal troubles began when she was sued in late 2023 by her ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, also known as Cassie. She accused him of brutally abusing her and raping her.

The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount the day after it was filed, with Mr. Combs maintaining his innocence.

In the weeks that followed, multiple women filed lawsuits accusing Mr. Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. One of them alleged that she was “sex trafficked” at age 17 and “gang raped” by the rapper and two other people.

Combs responded to the avalanche of lawsuits in a statement on his Instagram page in December, writing, “ENOUGH IS ALREADY.”

“I didn't do any of the terrible things they accused me of. I will fight for my name, family and truth,” he said.

Nine months later he was arrested and indicted.

Mr. Combs was held in custody Metropolitan Prison Center in Brooklyn, New York since his September 16 arrest.

His lawyers argued for his release pending trial, citing “horrible” prison conditions.

A federal judge in New York denied their bail request on the grounds that Mr. Combs was a “serious flight risk.”

On Wednesday, his lawyers asked the court to throw out a 2016 video that shows Combs kicking his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura as she lies on the floor in a hotel hallway.

They argued that the government was responsible for leaking the video to CNN and that it “resulted in prejudicial, highly prejudicial pretrial publicity that can only taint the jury and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”

Government lawyers deny leaking the recording to the media, saying the government did not have it in its possession before it was broadcast in May.

When the video first surfaced, Combs posted an apology, saying, “I was disgusted when I did it.”

His lawyers are still fighting for the rapper's release on bail. They filed an appeal on Tuesday, arguing that Mr. Combs agreed to “restrictive conditions” of his possible release from prison that would make it impossible for him to escape.

“Mr. Combs believes he is innocent. He went to New York to turn himself in because he knew he would be charged,” his lawyers said in a court filing.

“He took extraordinary steps to show that he intended to face and deny the allegations rather than flee.”

The lawyers also argued that everyone involved in the so-called “freak activities” were consenting adults.

Not.

If convicted of racketeering, Combs could face up to life in prison. He faces another statutory minimum of 15 years for the sex trafficking charge.

All U.S. federal cases are open to the public, except in rare cases when trials involve sensitive national security information.

To date, all of Mr. Combs' court proceedings have been open to the media and public.

However, none of his performances were broadcast live. Most federal courts do not allow cameras or electronic devices in the courtroom.

Sketch artists typically attend these hearings to extract excerpts from the court for the media and public.

It is unclear whether Mr. Combs will face further criminal charges.

But prosecutors said the investigation remains “active and ongoing” and encouraged potential victims to contact authorities.