Sexual Assault Accusations Against Sean “Diddy” Combs and Garth Brooks Rattles Music Industry

In the past several weeks there have been a new rash of criminal charges and accusations of sexual assault against icons in the music industry, including federal charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs and a sexual assault allegation against country star Garth Brooks. Diddy has pled not guilty after being charged with engaging in a racketeering conspiracy that included sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, while Brooks has been sued by his former makeup artist with allegations that he raped and sexually assaulted her in the past. Both vehemently deny the accusations. Diddy has been subject to a number of lawsuits since the charges were announced from private individuals claiming he violated them in one way or another. Some have wondered whether these accusations are the start of a new round of the “Me Too” movement against the music industry that was largely unaffected by the earlier movement which entangled many Hollywood figures in scandal (outside of R. Kelly who is currently serving a 31-year sentence on racketeering and sex trafficking charges). Defense attorney David P. Shapiro when asked if this is a sign of something larger said, “On one hand, it’s too soon to say. On the other hand, the more we learn, the less this seems like an ‘apples to apples’ comparison… the scope and scale of the allegations against Diddy paint a broader, perhaps darker, picture: sex trafficking, drugging party attendees, etc.” With rumors circling that other artists may soon be implicated, it will be interesting to follow if this starts another round of “Me Too” accusations and what trajectory these accusation could potentially take. To an even casual observer, it is clear that musician are being targeted for prosecution and civil lawsuits related to sexual misconduct.

Former Abercrombie CEO Faces Sex Trafficking Charges

In addition to men facing accusations in the music industry, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested with two others and charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution out of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York earlier this week. Jeffries, his long-term partner Matt Smith, and James Jacobson were charged in the explosive indictment, with Jacobson allegedly being employed to recruit men and aspiring models from around the world “to perform commercial sex acts” for Jeffries and Smith. The conduct mainly occurred while Jeffries was running the clothing company between 2008 to 2015 (he stepped down in 2014 after the company had financial trouble), often with promises of career advancement in the cut-throat world of fashion. “The message from today’s prosecution is clear: Sexually exploiting vulnerable human beings is a crime, and doing so by dangling of dreams of a future in fashion or modeling or any other business is no different,” said Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, at a news conference addressing the charges. The charges come on the heels of an earlier class-action civil suit against Jeffries and Abercrombie, alleging that the company turned a blind eye to sexual misconduct involving the former CEO and other Abercrombie employees. What connects these cases is that Diddy’s conduct also came to light after a civil suit by his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, which may have prompted or played a role in the subsequent criminal investigation by the federal government. In either case, like any other criminal defendant, anyone accused or charged with sexual misconduct is presumed innocent and so far, all those accused in this latest round of accusations against celebrities have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. If you are accused of sex trafficking, criminal sexual assault or any other sex-related crimes, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights and preserve your freedom.