What is a racket and why does Sean’Diddy’ comb face this fee?

The trial of the comb of the American music tycoon Diddy, accused of running a massive sex trafficking operation, is about to end.

Twelve jurors in the federal court in New York announced they had made decisions on the five charges Mr Combs faced, although those decisions have not been disclosed.

But jurors can’t decide to blackmail, which are five possible life imprisonment.

Mr. Coms, 55, pleaded not guilty to him and denied all charges against him.

So, what is the racket charging that is more commonly used for thugs? What other expenses are faced by rappers?

A conspiracy of extortion, or directing illegal businesses under the Blackmail and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), is the official name of the allegation.

The law was intended to take over mob bosses, but has since been used in other trials, including sex trafficking – such as the case against R&B R&B singer R Kelly.

It is sometimes used with a group of defendants. U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies are accused of conspiring to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results – accusations Trump denied.

To convict Mr Combs of this charge, the prosecutor must prove that he uses a loyal employee network to operate a criminal enterprise to commit crimes, including sex trafficking, kidnapping, drugs and obstruction of justice.

In this case, the network will include his staff, prosecutors said they played a role in setting up “freaks” in the case center.

These were prolonged sex, the prosecutor’s main witness said they were forced to have sex with male escorts while Mr Combs was watching.

In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found the supplies they said were intended for use in freaks, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil.

The defense attempted to undermine the allegations of extortion by asking witness Mr. Combs’ employees if they witnessed the freak’s allegation.

Cassie Ventura, the star witness who indicted, said she did not think they were present.

Defense attorneys argued that if Combs employees did not intentionally conspire, the case could not be considered a striking incident.

“Are you kidding? Are you kidding?” said defense attorney Marc Agnifilo. “Did there be a witness in that witness, saying ‘Yes, I’m part of a blackmail, I’m engaged in blackmail’?”

Criminal defense attorney and former federal prosecutor Robert Mintz told the BBC that the allegations of extortion will always be the most challenging allegation prosecutors prove to the jury.

To obtain a conviction, the attorney needs to prove that the comb has established a coordinated plan between the comb and at least one person to commit at least two crimes over a period of several years, Mr Mintz said.

“It’s a very complex allegation, usually used in organized crime prosecutions, so it’s not surprising that it’s a charge we give the jury the most difficult one,” Mr Mintz added.

In the New York case, Mr. Combs was charged with two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of trafficking to engage in prostitution – along with the conspiracy charges of extortion.

Additionally, Mr Combs faces numerous lawsuits accusing him of rape and assault.

Texas attorney Tony Buzbee handled some of these cases, saying more than 100 men and women from across the United States filed lawsuits against rap tycoons, or intended to do so.

In December 2023, a woman known as Jane Doe in court documents claimed that she was “raped” by Combs and others when she was 17 in 2003. She said she was awarded “a large amount of drugs and alcohol” before the attack.

Mr Combs’ legal team dismissed a series of lawsuits because of “clear attempts to obtain publicity”.

Mr Combs’ current legal issues began in late 2023 when he was sued by Ms Ventura (also known as Cassie) for violent abuse and rape.

The lawsuit was settled the day after the lawsuit was filed, and Mr. Combs remained innocent.

Since then, dozens of others have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, allegations date back to 1991. He denied all requests.

His controversial history with Ms. Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CNN published leaked CCTV footage in 2016 showing Mr. Combs kicking his ex-girlfriend while lying on the hotel corridor floor.

He apologized for his actions, saying, “I took full responsibility for the actions in that video. I was disgusted by what I did at that time. I was disgusted now.”

“In court, facts will prevail: Mr. Combs never sexually assaults or trafficking anyone – men or women, adults or minors,” Combs’ lawyer said in a statement to the BBC on federal criminal charges.

Diddy’s lawyers then filed a motion that dismissed part of the federal indictment, where he was charged with transporting for prostitution. His team argued that his goal was unfair due to his game.

At a hearing in New York a week before the trial officially began, his lawyer told the court that the rapper led the “lifestyle” of “the swinger” and was not a criminal.

They said he thought it was “suitable” to have multiple sex partners, including sex workers.

At the same hearing, prosecutors revealed that Mr. Coms refused a plea agreement.

Mr. Coms’ lawyers have been denied allegations against him in civil lawsuits, calling them “disgusting” and suggesting they were made of “people seeking quick paydays.”

If convicted in racket charges, Mr Combs will face life in prison.

If he is convicted of sexual trafficking, he will face another statutory minimum sentence of 15 years.

For the purpose of prostitution, transportation can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Since his arrest on September 16, 2024, Mr. Combs has been at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Critics describe the prison as overcrowded, understaffed, and a culture of violence.

His lawyers advocated the release of his release, citing “terrible” conditions at the prison, but a federal judge in New York denied the bail request, saying Combs described Combs as “a serious flight risk.”

Mr. Combs also came out under the names of Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love and Brother Love.

The success of his early music career included helping start the careers of Mary J Blige and Christopher Wallace – aka Biggie Smalls or the infamous Bigs

His music label Bad Boy Records became one of the most important tags in rap and expanded to Faith Evans, Ma $E, 112, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez.

Mr. Combs also has a prolific business career outside of music, including an agreement with British beverage company Diageo to promote French vodka brand Cîroc.

In 2023, he released his fifth album, Love Album: Off The Grid, and received his first solo nomination at the Grammy Awards. He was also named a global idol at the MTV Awards.

The court reviewed dozens of potential jurors.

The process includes potential jurors, browsing a series of names of places and characters that can be mentioned during the trial, and under the names of Kanye West and Kid Cudi.

Potential jurors also have to fill out a questionnaire asking them if they are about “hip hop artists” or “feelings about violence, sexual assault.”

The judge repeatedly reminded the court of the importance of choosing a fair and impartial jury.

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