Federal prosecutors on Tuesday (Sept. 17) unsealed a legal indictment of Sean “Diddy” Combs over sweeping allegations of sexual abuse, accusing the once-powerful rapper of operating a racketeering conspiracy that included intercourse trafficking, compelled labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery.

Less than a day after the rapper was arrested Monday in New York City, Manhattan federal prosecutors unveiled the substance of their case in opposition to Combs – accusing him of working a legal enterprise centered on his “pervasive pattern of abuse toward women,” in accordance with the paperwork obtained by Billboard.

“For decades, Sean Combs … abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct,” the indictment reads. “To do so, Combs relied on the employees, resources and the influence of his multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled.”

Combs, 54, is predicted to be arraigned afterward Tuesday at a Manhattan federal courthouse.

The costs in opposition to Combs come after a flood of civil lawsuits during which not less than eight victims have sued him over allegations of sexual abuse, beginning with a high-profile case filed final 12 months by his longtime girlfriend Cassie Ventura. That case rapidly settled, but it surely was later corroborated by a extensively shared video of Combs assaulting her at a resort.

Criminal costs in opposition to Combs weren’t sudden. Federal brokers carried out raids in March on his properties in Los Angeles and Miami, and a number of information retailers had reported that he was dealing with an ongoing investigation that included potential allegations of intercourse trafficking.

In a press release on Monday, Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo mentioned: “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community.”

In Tuesday’s unsealed indictment, prosecutors allege that Combs violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act – a legislation referred to as RICO that’s typically used to focus on mobsters and drug cartels. Over 14 pages of particulars, the federal government claims Combs operated the same legal racket, however one centered “fulfilling the personal desires of Combs, particularly those related to sexual gratification.”

“Combs … used the Combs business, including certain employees, to carry out, facilitate, and cover up his abuse and commercial sex,” prosecutors write.

Many of the allegations middle on so-called “freak offs,” which prosecutors describe as “elaborate and produced sex performances” between victims and male intercourse staff throughout which Combs would masturbate. They allege Combs and his associates “wielded the power and prestige” of his fame to “intimidate, threaten and lure female victims” into his orbit, then used “force, threats of force, and coercion” to get them to take part.

During the freak offs, prosecutors declare Combs and others saved victims “obedient and compliant” by offering them with medication, then subjected them to “physical, emotional and verbal abuse,” together with hitting and kicking them, threatening profession repercussions, and blackmailing them with footage.

“Victims believed they could not refuse Combs demands without risking their financial or job security,” prosecutors write. “Combs also used the sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating recordings that he made during Freak offs as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of victims.”

In addition to the RICO allegations, the indictment additionally accuses Combs of federal sex-trafficking legal guidelines and a federal statute barring the transportation of intercourse staff.