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Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing legal trouble as he has been accused of crimes that include s*x trafficking, racketeering, and transporting people for prostitution. One key part of the case is a set of videos known as “freak-off” tapes. These tapes are reportedly being considered to be shown to the jury during his upcoming trial, per TMZ.
Federal prosecutors say the tapes show group sexual activity at parties hosted by Diddy. Some of the people involved may not have given consent to be filmed. Others might have been underage or under the influence of drugs. These tapes could help prove the claims of abuse and control made by several witnesses.
Diddy's lawyers have been trying to stop the tapes from being shown. They say the videos could unfairly influence the jury. They also claim that the footage does not prove sex trafficking. The trial is expected to begin in May 2025, and the tapes could become a central issue.
What are the charges against Diddy?
According to a Forbes report published on April 7, 2025, Federal prosecutors have charged him with five new offenses. These include two counts of s*x trafficking and two counts of transporting people for prostitution. He also faces one count of racketeering. These charges are based on allegations that he planned and controlled events where people were forced or pressured into s*x acts.
The parties, called “freak-offs," allegedly involved drugs, alcohol, and group sex. Prosecutors claim that people were sometimes filmed without their knowledge. Some may have been minors at the time. These details are important because they support the claims of coercion and abuse.
Several people have come forward with statements. One of them is Courtney Burgess, a witness who says he has flash drives with video from the events. He says Kim Porter, his late ex-partner, gave him the tapes. Burgess claims the videos show famous people and possibly underage individuals.
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Why are the “Freak-off” tapes important?
According to a report published on November 5, 2024, in the Economic Times, the tapes are a key part of the case. Prosecutors believe they show that Diddy took part in illegal acts. They want to use the tapes to support the claims made by witnesses. If accepted by the court, the jury will be able to view them.
Burgess says the videos were recorded by hidden cameras in his home. He says they show people who did not know they were being filmed. Some were allegedly under the influence or too young to give legal consent. The prosecution says this proves he used power and money to control others.
His legal team says the videos do not show trafficking. They say the acts were between consenting adults. They are asking the court to block the tapes, claiming they could mislead or shock the jury. The defense also questions how the videos were obtained and if they are even legal evidence.
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How is Diddy responding to the allegations?
As a report published on April 7, 2025, in the New York Post states, he is denying all charges and says he is being targeted unfairly. He has filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Burgess and his lawyer. He says they are spreading lies about him and trying to ruin his reputation.
His lawyers have submitted questions for possible jurors, per Associated Press. These questions ask how people feel about s*x, n*dity, and watching explicit videos. Prosecutors say these questions are meant to confuse the jury pool. They want the court to remove or change the questions.
The defense also claims that some of the videos could help Diddy’s case. They say the tapes may show that people took part in the acts by choice. In January, Diddy’s team asked the court to release nine tapes to prove his innocence. Still, prosecutors argue the videos support the claims of force, not consent.
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