Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Could Have Made The Music Industry ‘Great Business For Criminals’

Prosecutors Argue Involving Combs In A Massive Embezzlement Scheme Would Have Furthered His Criminal Enterprise

Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Lazarus labeled Combs's financial endeavors as "a feeding frenzy for organized crime," combating defense efforts to portray the entertainer as a "generous" man who routinely provides financial support to those around him

Prosecutors have argued that involving Sean "Diddy" Combs in a massive embezzlement scheme would have furthered his criminal enterprise, countering defense efforts to portray the entertainer as a "generous" man who routinely provides financial support to those around him. In a new filing in the ongoing trial of Combs and three co-defendants, Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Lazarus sought to rebut the defense's claims that Combs was not involved in a scheme to steal $2 million from his former business partner, music producer Shyne Barrow. Lazarus wrote that Combs's financial dealings were "a feeding frenzy for organized crime," citing Combs's extensive ties to known criminals and his involvement in a separate money laundering scheme. He also argued that Combs's decision to loan Barrow money after the alleged embezzlement was a calculated move to further his criminal enterprise. "The government respectfully submits that the defendant Combs's involvement in the scheme was not an aberration, but rather part of a larger pattern of criminal conduct that spans decades," Lazarus wrote. The defense has portrayed Combs as a "generous" man who routinely provides financial support to those around him. They have argued that Combs loaned Barrow money after the alleged embezzlement because he believed Barrow was in financial trouble. But Lazarus argued that Combs's financial dealings were not motivated by altruism. He cited Combs's extensive ties to known criminals and his involvement in a separate money laundering scheme. In 2003, Combs was convicted of weapons charges after a shooting at a New York City nightclub. He was also investigated for his alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme that involved the sale of counterfeit designer clothing. Lazarus argued that Combs's decision to loan Barrow money after the alleged embezzlement was a calculated move to further his criminal enterprise. He wrote that Combs knew that Barrow was a "fugitive from justice" and that he had been involved in "criminal activity." Lazarus also argued that Combs's decision to loan Barrow money was part of a larger pattern of criminal conduct. He cited Combs's extensive ties to known criminals and his involvement in a separate money laundering scheme. The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks. If convicted, Combs faces up to 20 years in prison. In conclusion, prosecutors have argued that Sean "Diddy" Combs's involvement in a massive embezzlement scheme would have furthered his criminal enterprise, countering defense efforts to portray the entertainer as a "generous" man who routinely provides financial support to those around him.