Diddy expected in court today, less than 200 days before trial
NEW YORK - Sean "Diddy" Combs is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, 138 days before his trial.
The rapper and music producer has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his indictment in September.
This hearing will mark a key step in the pretrial process.
Why is Diddy in court today?
The hearing will offer both sides an opportunity to address procedural issues and resolve potential disputes ahead of the trial.
In his attempt at bail, the judge ruled that "there was no condition or combination of conditions [to] reasonably assure the safety of the community."
On Friday, Combs dropped his last appeal for release on $50 million bail, following new allegations against him and will remain behind bars.
New allegations against Diddy
Combs is now facing additional sexual assault allegations from three male accusers who filed lawsuits in New York. The men claim Combs drugged and raped them, as first reported by TMZ.
Two of the alleged assaults occurred at a New York City hotel, while the third reportedly happened at Diddy's Hamptons residence. One lawsuit specifically identifies the Park Hyatt Hotel on 57th Street as the site of an alleged assault—the same location where federal agents arrested Combs in September.
All three men allege that Diddy gave them alcoholic drinks that caused disorientation, after which they later regained consciousness to find him "sodomizing" them.
Speculation over Diddy’s parties
The allegations have renewed public scrutiny of Combs’ infamous parties, particularly his all-white events attended by high-profile celebrities.
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z attend The Two Kings Dinner presented by Sprite at RDG + Bar Annie on February 16, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
The claims come alongside a separate lawsuit naming both Diddy and Jay-Z, accusing them of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000.
"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?" the rap legend wrote.
'What did Diddy do?'
In a blistering 3-count indictment, Diddy is accused of running an enterprise to fulfill his sexual desires.
From around 2008 and for years, he allegedly assaulted women by striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects, and kicking them.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 05: Sean Combs also known as P Diddy is seen on June 05, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The indictment claims he operated under "The Combs Enterprise," which includes Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises, and Combs Global, involving individuals and activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce.
It also details Diddy's "Freak Off parties," where he and his associates allegedly lured female victims and then coerced them into sex acts with commercial sex workers.
Diddy faces racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges.
How old is Diddy?
Diddy, 55, also faces potential litigation in over 100 civil suits and one criminal lawsuit.
He's pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including sex trafficking and racketeering.