Brian Buckmeyer

This all happened in less than a month. And those forces that were turning against Diddy? Well, that pileup was growing bigger and more powerful because now the feds were getting closer to an arrest. That's after the break.

This all happened in less than a month. And those forces that were turning against Diddy? Well, that pileup was growing bigger and more powerful because now the feds were getting closer to an arrest. That's after the break.

In September of 2024, Diddy returned to the place where his life and career began, New York City. He was spotted around town, posing for photos with his children in Harlem. Diddy looked casual in Tim's in a black t-shirt. The T-shirt looked simple enough, but it appeared to be a designer vintage item that can retail for over $1,000.

In September of 2024, Diddy returned to the place where his life and career began, New York City. He was spotted around town, posing for photos with his children in Harlem. Diddy looked casual in Tim's in a black t-shirt. The T-shirt looked simple enough, but it appeared to be a designer vintage item that can retail for over $1,000.

While Diddy may have appeared relaxed, this wasn't a family getaway or even a business trip. Here's ABC chief investigative correspondent Aaron Katursky.

While Diddy may have appeared relaxed, this wasn't a family getaway or even a business trip. Here's ABC chief investigative correspondent Aaron Katursky.

His lawyer said he planned to turn himself in, but the feds didn't wait for that to happen. Instead, on September 16th of 2024, they made a surprise move in a hotel lobby in Midtown Manhattan. Here's Aaron Katursky on ABC News again.

His lawyer said he planned to turn himself in, but the feds didn't wait for that to happen. Instead, on September 16th of 2024, they made a surprise move in a hotel lobby in Midtown Manhattan. Here's Aaron Katursky on ABC News again.

The next day, federal prosecutors held a press conference.

The next day, federal prosecutors held a press conference.

Standing at a podium, flanked by two American flags, then-U.S. Attorney Damian Williams looked serious, formal. He wore tortoiseshell glasses, a dark suit, and a navy maroon tie with gold stripes.

Standing at a podium, flanked by two American flags, then-U.S. Attorney Damian Williams looked serious, formal. He wore tortoiseshell glasses, a dark suit, and a navy maroon tie with gold stripes.

Williams has the cred the SDNY is known for. He's an alum of Harvard, also Yale Law School. He was the first Black person to leave the SDNY. If Diddy went around pronouncing how he represented Black excellence, Damian Williams' presence and accomplishments were the embodiment of that excellence.

Williams has the cred the SDNY is known for. He's an alum of Harvard, also Yale Law School. He was the first Black person to leave the SDNY. If Diddy went around pronouncing how he represented Black excellence, Damian Williams' presence and accomplishments were the embodiment of that excellence.

Rapper Sean Diddy Combs was a kingmaker. He had wealth, fame, and power.

Rapper Sean Diddy Combs was a kingmaker. He had wealth, fame, and power.

until it all came crashing down.

until it all came crashing down.

I'm Brian Buckmeyer, an ABC News legal contributor. As Diddy heads to trial, we trace his remarkable rise and fall, and what could be next. Listen to Bad Rap, The Case Against Diddy, a new series from ABC Audio. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm Brian Buckmeyer, an ABC News legal contributor. As Diddy heads to trial, we trace his remarkable rise and fall, and what could be next. Listen to Bad Rap, The Case Against Diddy, a new series from ABC Audio. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.