Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ mother Janice issues emotional statement defending son

The rapper’s mother, 83, issued an emotional statement to DailyMail.com via her lawyer, in which she fiercely defended Combs as she described the “pain” of his reputation being damaged before he was able to prove his “innocence”.

“I come to you today as a mother that is devastated and profoundly saddened by the allegations made against my son, Sean Combs,” she began.

“It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies.

“To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words.”

The 54-year-old rapper, who is currently behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, was charged in September with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Since then, dozens more people have come forward with claims of sexual abuse, including allegations Combs previously assaulted 25 minors.

Janice went on to say the allegations against Combs were “lies”, motivated by people “seeking a financial gain, not justice.”

“These individuals saw how quickly my son’s civil legal team settled his ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit, so they believe they can receive a quick payday by falsely accusing my son,” she said.

“It is important to recognise that none of us, regardless of our status, are immune to fear or mistakes. Not being entirely straightforward about one issue does not mean my son is guilty of the repulsive allegations and the grave charges levelled against him.

“The worst part of this ordeal is watching my beloved son be stripped of his dignity, not for what he did, but for what people choose to believe about him.

“Watching the world make jokes and laugh at my son’s life crumbling before our eyes is something I can never forget.

“It is truly agonising to watch the world turn against my son so quickly and easily over lies and misconceptions, without ever hearing his side or affording him the opportunity to present his side.”

Elsewhere, Janice also defended her son for not being “truthful” about his abuse toward ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, with CCTV footage from a hotel incident in 2016 emerging in May supporting Ventura’s version of events.

The pair privately settled a lawsuit brought on by Ventura in November, just one day after the R&B pop star filed paperwork.

“I am not here to portray my son as perfect because he is not,” Janice continued.

“He has made mistakes in his past, as we all have. My son may not have been entirely truthful about certain things, such as denying he has ever gotten violent with an ex-girlfriend when the hotel’s surveillance showed otherwise.

“Sometimes, the truth and a lie become so closely intertwined that it becomes terrifying to admit one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or is too complicated to be believed.

“This is why I believe my son’s civil legal team opted to settle the ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit instead of contesting it until the end, resulting in a ricochet effect as the federal government used this decision against my son by interpreting it as an admission of guilt.”

Combs’ charges came several months after a criminal investigation which saw his Miami and Los Angeles mansions raided by authorities in March.

According to the unsealed grand jury indictment, officers uncovered “various Freak Off supplies, including narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.”

The so-called ‘Freak Offs’ form part of the prosecution’s case against Combs, in which it is alleged he forced female victims into days-long sexual performances as part of his alleged pattern of abuse dating back more than a decade.

Combs could remain in jail for up to a year before his trial begins.