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USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
Diddy verdict outrage is justified. But the law is doing what it's supposed to.
The guilty verdicts are not symbolic. But justice is not just about naming abuse. Trafficking and intimate partner violence are not interchangeable – and pretending they are helps no one. This column discusses sex trafficking. If you or someone you know is in danger or in an unsafe situation, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can help. Advocates are available 24/7 by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733. Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty in federal court of violating the Mann Act and federal prostitution statutes but he was acquitted of sex trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the federal government's primary anti-trafficking law, as well as RICO racketeering charges for the purpose of sex trafficking. The split verdict has stirred public confusion and outrage. After hearing detailed accounts of coerced sex, drug-fueled 'freak-off' parties, surveillance, beatings and emotional manipulation, many believed the case was a clear example of human trafficking. To them, the not-guilty verdict on trafficking charges felt like a miscarriage of justice. But while the jury held Combs accountable for significant crimes, it stopped short of classifying his conduct as trafficking. We don't know whether the jurors saw the behavior as trafficking but didn't find enough evidence – or whether they concluded it didn't meet the legal definition at all. What is clear is this: calling Combs' behavior trafficking under the TVPA would require expanding that law beyond its current meaning. And that expansion could carry real consequences – especially for the very victims trafficking laws were designed to protect. What is the Mann Act? The "White Slave Traffic Act," also known as the Mann Act, passed in 1910, makes it a federal crime to knowingly transport someone across state lines for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity – including prostitution. In the past, it was misused to police sexual morality, but today it's applied more narrowly to cases involving interstate travel and sexual exploitation. In Combs' case, the jury found that he used his power and resources to transport women for illicit sexual purposes. But the Mann Act does not require proof of coercion, long-term control or systemic exploitation. It focuses on movement and intent – not the broader patterns of slavery-like domination or exploitation. By contrast, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), passed in 2000, was designed to combat what Congress called 'modern-day slavery.' It targets organized systems of commercial exploitation through force, fraud or coercion, and it typically involves traffickers who control nearly every aspect of a victim's life: housing, transportation, identification, finances and the ability to leave. That's not what the Combs case showed. The women involved reported trauma and coercion, but they retained housing, communication, financial resources and career opportunities. They were not legally or physically confined. There was no evidence of document confiscation, restriction of movement or the kind of isolation commonly seen in trafficking cases prosecuted under the TVPA. And that's not a loophole – it's the law doing what it's supposed to do by drawing difficult but necessary lines between different forms of harm. Opinion: Cassie's Diddy trial testimony shows sexual assault survivors how to take power back As one of the nation's preeminent human trafficking expert witnesses, I am familiar with those lines. I have testified in landmark trafficking cases from California to New York. My book, "Hidden in Plain Sight: America's Slaves of the New Millennium," is used to train law enforcement on trafficking identification nationwide. The TVPA was written to protect people whose entire lives are controlled by others – often in silence, often invisible. Expanding the law beyond that mission threatens to weaken its core. Abuse described in Diddy trail was real and criminal. But calling it trafficking doesn't help survivors. None of this minimizes what happened. The abuse described in the Combs case was real, harmful and criminal. But redefining it as trafficking – simply because other laws didn't offer a viable path to justice – doesn't help survivors. It undermines the integrity of the trafficking framework and could actually make it harder for victims of true trafficking to get the support and legal recognition they need. It's understandable why prosecutors turned to the TVPA. Trafficking cases come with longer statutes of limitations, more severe penalties and more public support. And existing domestic violence statutes are often outdated or ill-equipped to address coercive control, especially when the abuser is wealthy, powerful and legally savvy. But the solution isn't to force high-profile abuse cases into trafficking law. It's to fix the laws that fail to meet the moment. Opinion: Diddy trial and Macron shove reveal our blind spots about domestic violence One of the most telling omissions in this trial was the absence of a human trafficking expert witness – something virtually standard in most trafficking prosecutions. In typical cases, such experts are brought in to explain the dynamics of power and coercion, as well as recruitment and control schemes typically used by traffickers, particularly when overt force is not visible. Experts will often testify whether a case is consistent with or atypical of trafficking patterns. Here, both the prosecution and defense opted not to call such witnesses – likely because Combs' conduct defied those standard frameworks. Instead, prosecutors called Dawn Hughes, a psychological expert on interpersonal violence who previously testified on behalf of Amber Heard in the Johnny Depp defamation case that stemmed from allegations of domestic abuse. As someone who routinely provides human trafficking expert testimony, I can say this case presented unique evidentiary challenges and there is a clear distinction between interpersonal violence and human trafficking. Diddy's alleged trafficking enterprise did not resemble the classic 'modern slavery' narrative, and a human trafficking expert might have inadvertently highlighted just how unusual this case was for a trafficking prosecution. In fact, doing so could have risked undermining the government's core argument by exposing how far this case deviates from trafficking's conventional legal contours. We need stronger domestic violence laws There's a critical – and often overlooked – fact in this case: Prosecutors may have used the TVPA because the statute of limitations had already expired on more direct charges, such as sexual assault or battery. That's not a reflection of the survivors' credibility – it's a failure of the legal system to account for how trauma actually works. Many victims of intimate partner violence, especially when facing fear, manipulation, or public scrutiny, wait years to come forward. That's not weakness – it's human. But the law hasn't caught up. When time runs out on prosecuting real crimes, prosecutors sometimes look for workarounds. The TVPA offers one. But it wasn't designed to handle domestic abuse or intimate partner exploitation. If we care about justice in cases like this, we shouldn't stretch trafficking law to fit the facts – we should reform the laws that didn't offer justice in the first place. That means extending statutes of limitations for sexual assault and abuse, modernizing domestic violence laws and creating better tools for prosecuting coercive control, even when it doesn't involve physical captivity. Legal scholars and victim advocates have long warned that when we dilute the meaning of 'trafficking,' we hurt the very people trafficking laws were built to protect. If courts begin to see every form of abuse as trafficking, they may become more skeptical. Juries may get confused. Judges may raise the bar for what qualifies. And real survivors – runaway teens, undocumented workers, women trafficked across borders – may find themselves disbelieved or deprioritized. Meanwhile, limited resources – prosecutors, shelters, outreach workers – get pulled into celebrity trials and away from the vulnerable, invisible populations who need them most. We survived sex trafficking. Don't protect men who exploit women like us. | Opinion Survivors still deserve justice The women who came forward against Combs showed immense courage. Their pain is real. Their voices mattered. The guilty verdicts under the Mann Act and prostitution statutes is not symbolic – they are legal affirmations that crimes were committed. But justice is not just about naming abuse. It's about naming it accurately. Trafficking and intimate partner violence are not interchangeable – and pretending they are helps no one. If we're angry that the law didn't do more to hold Combs accountable, that anger is justified. But the answer is not to misapply trafficking law. The answer is to make sure abuse laws are strong enough – long enough, clear enough and modern enough – to capture the harm as it actually happened. Justice requires accountability. But it also requires precision. When we blur the legal lines, we confuse the public, mislead future juries and risk weakening the very laws survivors depend on. Let's not call everything trafficking just because it's the only viable legal tool left. Let's fix the toolbox. Because justice requires truth. And truth requires legal clarity. Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco holds a Ph.D. in criminology, law and society and serves as a human trafficking expert witness in criminal and civil court. Her first book "Hidden in Plain Sight: America's Slaves of the New Millennium" is used to train law enforcement on human trafficking investigations.
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Fat Joe sued for $20M over alleged abuse and trafficking by former hypeman
Grammy-nominated rapper Fat Joe is facing a $20 million federal lawsuit filed by his former hypeman, Terrance 'T.A.' Dixon, alleging years of sexual abuse, coercion, and exploitation—including alleged involvement with underage girls. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the 157-page complaint accuses Fat Joe, born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, of 'coercive labor exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, and psychological control.' Dixon claims he was forced into over 4,000 sexual acts over a 16-year period under threats of abandonment, humiliation, and financial retaliation. The lawsuit further alleges Fat Joe engaged in sexual acts with minors as young as 15, flying them across state and international lines, and even funding plastic surgery for one girl. Dixon claims these abuses occurred with the knowledge of Fat Joe's associates and sometimes under surveillance or in corporate-owned properties, including yachts and mansions. Also named in the suit are Fat Joe's associates Pete 'Pistol Pete' Torres and Richard 'Rich Player' Jospitre, along with Roc Nation, which Dixon accuses of aiding in concealing royalty fraud and silencing his claims. The charges include violations under civil RICO, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and various state laws. Fat Joe's attorney, Joe Tacopina, dismissed the lawsuit as a 'blatant act of retaliation,' claiming Dixon is attempting to deflect attention from a separate defamation lawsuit the rapper filed in April. Represented by attorney Tyrone Blackburn—also leading a high-profile case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs—Dixon insists he's seeking justice after years of abuse and suppression. This case could be one of the most serious and high-profile legal battles in the music industry to date.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NEWS OF THE WEEK: Judge dismisses five charges against Sean 'Diddy' Combs
A judge has dismissed five charges against Sean 'Diddy' Combs in a $30 million sexual assault lawsuit. The accusations from former producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones alleged racketeering, infliction of emotional distress and sexual assault, among other allegations. In an order filed earlier today and reviewed by Variety, Judge J Paul Oetken granted and denied parts of Combs' motion to dismiss the case. The judge dismissed the charges of racketeering; negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress; breach of contract; and a Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) claim.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Just Scored a Rare Legal Win, But It's Not All Good News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs may be counting down the days until his federal sex crime trial in May, but it appears he's scored a rare legal win in a different area before he has his day in court. But he still can't celebrate just yet and we'll tell you why. On Monday, a New York judge decided to dismiss partial claims lobbed against the disgraced hip-hop mogul by Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones back in February 2024. The bombshell sexual assault lawsuit was one of the first that came out against Diddy that triggered his eventual downfall. In the suit, Jones made a myriad of horrendous accusations against the Bad Boy producer including, but not limited to: sexual harassment, drugging, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). Diddy, his company Combs Global; his son Justin Combs; his chief of staff Kristina Khorram; Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; and former Motown Records CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam were all named as defendants in the suit. Now however, per PEOPLE, it was revealed that the judge decided to dismiss Jones' claims of RICO violations against Diddy and the rest of the defendants—signaling a rare, major win for the heaviest charge of them all. The TVPA violations were also dropped against Combs Global, but Diddy and Khorram still face those charges. The judge also dismissed Jones' claims of emotional distress and breach of contract. But Diddy will still face charges of sexual assault and the 'premises liability claim' which argues that Jones was sexually assaulted multiple times on Diddy's property. Additionally, the judge also issued a warning against Jones' lawyer Tyrone Blackburn and his 'unsettling' conduct. 'Blackburn's filings are replete with inaccurate statements of law, conclusory accusations, and inappropriate ad hominem attacks on opposing counsel,' the judge wrote. But Blackburn remains unfazed. 'We view this as a win,' Blackburn said in a statement to USA Today on Tuesday. 'Defendants wanted a total dismissal and they failed to get it. [Combs and Khorram] 'do not want me to do discovery...I know where all of the bodies are buried and I have a HUGE shovel. Time to start digging!' For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds of migrant kids in Michigan may lose legal help after Trump ends program
About 800 migrant children in Michigan may soon lack legal representation in courts after the administration of President Donald Trump abruptly shut down most of a program that helped pay for attorneys and other legal assistance. Immigrant activists said the Trump administration's action is a cruel move that will lead to unaccompanied minors in Michigan being unable to get a fair hearing and lead to more abuse and deportations. One immigrant advocate in Michigan calls it the worst attack on immigrant children since the family separation crisis in 2018 during Trump's first term, when some migrant children were separated from families. On Friday, the Trump administration sent a termination of services notice to the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and similar groups across the country to end its Unaccompanied Children Program, which is paid for with government funds. The program allowed children who arrived in the U.S. without a parent to be represented by attorneys in immigration courts. Lawyers who are trained in how to work with vulnerable children with language barriers are needed to properly defend them in court, said Christine Sauvé, manager of policy and communication at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. Children sometimes travel to the U.S. on their own to escape hardships or to reach other family members who are already in the U.S. The 800 children in Michigan helped by the legal program are part of 26,000 children across the country who will be affected, advocates said. It's the latest move by Trump to toughen immigration enforcement as he vows to deport a record number of immigrants, often linking them to crime. Earlier this year, Trump shut down another legal program to help adults in immigration courts, but after a lawsuit, that program was started up again. Since 2017, the legal program for unaccompanied children at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center has helped represent almost 1,400 children. In addition, the center has provided 5,686 "Know Your Rights" sessions and 4,061 legal screenings, and identified 6,158 potential pathways for relief for children. "These numbers result in real, meaningful changes in the lives of children and families, children who grow up to thrive and be part of our communities," Sauvé told the Free Press on Tuesday. "It is difficult to find replacement attorneys for 800 children," she added. "There's things that (regular) attorneys may not be familiar with, in terms of: taking breaks during an interview to allow the child to play or take a break. There's specific language resources: Many of the children speak minority languages that aren't commonly spoken here, and so sometimes providing that translation or interpretation can be hard for pro bono attorneys to take on." Some advocates say the shuttering of the program could lead to violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which helps protect children who arrive in the U.S. without a parent or a legal guardian. Emily Hilliard, deputy press secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the placement of unaccompanied children, told the Free Press by email Tuesday their department 'continues to meet the legal requirements established' by the Act and the Flores settlement of 1997 that resulted from a lawsuit, creating rules to protect immigrant children in U.S. custody. "We are rolling back decades of progress on protecting the rights of immigrant children," said Susan Reed, director at MIRC. "Children with representation are more likely to win their cases and unrepresented children tend to lose, so this action will change the course of our clients' whole lives.' Reed called it "the largest attack on immigrant children in Michigan since we faced the family separation crisis in 2018.' The move could also lead to MIRC, one of the leading immigrant advocacy groups in Michigan, having to eliminate 80% of its staff, Sauvé said. More: Private for-profit company secures ICE contract to house immigrants in Michigan prison MIRC is currently looking for other ways to keep the program running through donations or other means, but it's unclear whether it can survive. The Acacia Center for Justice in Washington, D.C. contracted with the U.S. government on the legal program for unaccompanied children. Acacia then subcontracted with various groups, such as the Michigan center. 'The administration's decision to partially terminate this program flies in the face of decades of work and bipartisan cooperation spent ensuring children who have been trafficked or are at risk of trafficking have child-friendly legal representatives protecting their legal rights and interests," Shaina Aber, executive director of the Acacia Center for Justice, said in a statement. In a separate action, the Trump administration also ended this week a rule that had restricted the government from sharing information on the legal status of sponsors, often family members, of unaccompanied migrant children to law enforcement, Reuters reported. The move could lead to family members not coming forward to sponsor children who need their help out of fear of themselves being targeted by immigration agents. Reuters contributed to this report. Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@ or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Migrant children in Michigan lose legal help as Trump ends program
