Prosecution accuses Sean Combs of leading a criminal enterprise in closing arguments

Closing arguments are set to get underway this morning in the criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. Follow here for the latest from the courtroom.

• Final stage: Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik has begun presenting the government’s closing arguments in the criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. She described him as “the leader of a criminal enterprise.” • How we got here: Both sides rested their cases Tuesday, with prosecutors calling 34 witnesses over more than six weeks. The defense team presented a roughly 30-minute case and called zero witnesses. • Federal charges: Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to life in prison. Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik told the jury they must unanimously find that Sean “Diddy” Combs knowingly and willfully agreed that he or another member of the conspiracy would commit two racketeering acts. Slavik said there is evidence of multiple acts committed by Combs’ enterprise. Slavik listed the categories of crimes the panel can find Combs and a member of his enterprise agreed to commit, including distributing drugs, kidnapping, arson, bribing witnesses to Combs’ crimes, facilitating Combs’ sex trafficking of Cassie Ventura and Jane, facilitating travel for Combs’ girlfriends and male escorts for commercial sex, forced labor, and helping Combs cover up his crimes. The sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs is heading into closing arguments this morning after the government spent six weeks presenting their case, while Combs’ defense team spent around 30 minutes presenting theirs.