Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged sex-trafficking scandal has rocked the nation -- and made the phrase "freak off" famous.
Until recently, the hip-hop mogul was on top of the world as a wealthy singer, music producer and executive, talk show guest, and friend to numerous A-list celebrities.
But he was slapped with a federal lawsuit by his ex-girlfriend, singer, actress and model Cassie Ventura, in November 2023 that began his downfall.
Ventura claimed in her legal filings that Diddy, now 54, had physically and sexually abused her throughout their 11-year relationship. Diddy has denied any wrongdoing.
Just a day after Ventura filed her complaint, the two reached a settlement to their "mutual satisfaction."
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However, U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents raided his homes in March and September 2024, resulting in Combs getting arrested in New York City after a grand jury indicted him on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, transportation to engage in prostitution, and other federal crimes.
At the heart of the allegations are Diddy's infamous "freak offs." Most people aren't familiar with the term, which describes a series of sex party orgies allegedly directed by Combs.
The rapper pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyer maintains that his client is innocent.
While Diddy awaits trial in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center -- a federal facility known for its horrible conditions and pervasive violence -- here's a guide to the disgraced star's "freak offs."
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How did the public learn of Diddy's alleged "freak offs"?
On Sept. 17, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York unsealed the government's 14-page indictment against Combs. The phrase "freak off" is mentioned 27 times in the filing.
What is a freak off?
According to the simple explanation on social media videos, Diddy threw the supposed "freak off" parties as multi-day sex orgies, involving heavy drug use, free-flowing alcohol, and apparently a lot of lube -- among the items seized at Combs' residences was more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants.
What did law enforcement say about the star's freak offs?
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York press release, "Among other things, COMBS' sexual abuse of women included causing them to engage in frequent, days-long sexual activity with male commercial sex workers, some of whom were transported over state lines. These events, which COMBS referred to as 'Freak Offs,' were elaborate sex performances that COMBS arranged, directed, and often electronically recorded."
The prosecutors also noted, "To ensure participation in Freak Offs, COMBS used violence and intimidation, and leveraged his power over victims -- power he obtained [by] distributing narcotics to them, exploiting his financial support to them and threatening to cut off the same, and controlling their careers. COMBS also threatened his victims, including by threatening to expose the embarrassing and sensitive recordings he made of Freak Offs if the women did not comply with his demands."
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How did Diddy allegedly cover up his freak offs?
Diddy allegedly used drugs on his victims; afterwards, IV fluids were administered so participants could recover from the sordid activities.
Who organized Diddy's freak offs?
The court filing claimed that Diddy's employees booked hotel rooms to be used for freak offs. They allegedly organized travel for the victims and male sex workers, and made sure cash was available to pay the prostitutes.
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What drugs were involved in freak offs?
According to the indictment against Diddy, during freak offs, Combs allegedly distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims including ketamine, ecstasy and gamma hydroxybutyrate (commonly known as "GHB") in order to "keep the victims obedient and compliant."
What is a White Party?
Reportedly Diddy's freak offs were preceded by his innocent "White Parties," some of which took place in the Hamptons area of Long Island, New York, a community known for its affluent residents. Guests at the parties were expected to be decked out in white clothing. Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Mariah Carey and Ashton Kutcher were reportedly just some of the famous folks who frequented the rapper's White Parties.
But it hasn't been alleged that any A-listers took part in the lewd "freak offs" that followed the White Parties. After the celebrities left, father-of-seven Diddy and his friends allegedly went into back rooms that turned into "freak offs" full of debauchery.
What have freak off witnesses said about the parties?
According to the New York Post, a drug dealer said he had allegedly witnessed rappers engaging in gay sexual acts at one of the freak offs.
"Weird s-t was starting to happen. Celebrity guys f -- ing each other. There were back bedrooms and it was like the inner sanctum," the unnamed drug dealer source told the Post.
Who is Cassie Ventura, who first exposed Diddy?
Cassie Ventura, 38, professionally known only by her first name, shot to fame as a singer, dancer, actress and model. Diddy discovered her and signed her to his record label, Bad Boy Records.
She debuted with her 2006 single "Me & U." Other hit records followed and she also acted in the movies Step Up 2: The Streets and The Perfect Match.
What happened between Diddy and Cassie?
Diddy and Cassie Ventura dated from about 2007 to 2018.
But Ventura claimed in her bombshell lawsuit against Diddy that he abused her from the start of their relationship.
She alleged Diddy raped her in 2018 after she tried to leave him. While Diddy's lawyer denied all of Ventura's claims, the singers mutually settled the lawsuit.
What happened in the notorious Diddy and Cassie video?
Celebrity watchers around the world were shocked in May 2024 when CNN aired a leaked video of Combs punching, kicking and stomping on Ventura in a hallway of the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, an area in Los Angeles. After the scandal, Diddy posted an apology video, but the apology did little to mitigate the damage to Combs' reputation.
(Warning: This video contains disturbing acts of violence.)
Did Cassie participate in Diddy's freak offs?
Cassie's lawsuit alleged that Diddy would watch and film her having sex with male escorts.
Singer Tiffany Red, a friend of Cassie's, claimed to NBC News that Ventura was forced to engage in the group sex for her music career.
"She told me the only time he [Diddy] was willing to do anything or work on her music, go through with any plans, is when she had a freak-off," Red said.
Could Diddy face more legal troubles for his freak offs?
Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee claims to represent 120+ victims of Diddy. He alleges some of his clients were minors at the time of the alleged sexual abuse.
After Buzbee announced his accusations at a press conference, an attorney for Combs said the mogul "cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus."
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