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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs charged with sex trafficking, racketeering

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By Luc Cohen and Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean “Diddy” Combs used his fame as one of the biggest names in hip-hop to coerce women into engaging in demeaning sex acts as part of a long-running scheme of sex trafficking and racketeering, according to a three-count federal indictment unsealed on Tuesday.

Combs, 54, used the business empire he controlled, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport women, as well as male sex workers, across state lines to take part in recorded sexual performances called “Freak Offs” in which the music mogul would watch and masturbate, prosecutors said.

The rapper and producer, arrested in Manhattan on Monday night, is expected to appear in court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky at 2:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT) on Tuesday.

Combs faces a mandatory minimum 15-year prison sentence and up to life behind bars if convicted of the three felony counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The office of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, which brought the charges, said in a court filing that the stiff potential sentence could give Combs incentive to flee.

Prosecutors have asked Tarnofsky to order Combs to remain detained pending trial. Defense lawyers are asking to have him released on $50 million bond secured by his Miami home.

Prosecutors accused Combs of running a criminal enterprise to facilitate his exploitation of women, dating back at least 16 years.

According to the indictment, Combs enticed women by giving them drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, financial support, or promises of career support or a romantic relationship. Combs then used surreptitious recordings of the sex acts as “collateral” to ensure that the women would remain silent, and sometimes displayed weapons to intimidate abuse victims and witnesses, prosecutors said.

“The victims did not believe they could refuse Combs without risking their security or facing more abuse,” Williams told a press conference. “This office is determined to investigate and prosecute anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful or wealthy or famous you may be.”

The indictment did not specify how many women were alleged victims. It contained no allegation that Combs himself directly engaged in unwanted sexual contact with women, though he was accused of assaulting them by punching, kicking, dragging and throwing objects.

Also known during his career as P. Diddy and Puff Daddy, Combs founded Bad Boy records and is credited with helping turn rappers and R&B singers such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars in the 1990s and 2000s.

‘NOT A CRIMINAL’

Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Agnifilo on Monday expressed disappointment with the “unjust” prosecution of his client, calling Combs “an imperfect person” but “not a criminal.”

Combs is the highest-profile music industry figure charged with sexual misconduct since R&B singer R. Kelly was sentenced to a combined 31 years in prison after being convicted in New York in 2021 and Chicago in 2022 sex trafficking, racketeering, child sex crimes and other counts.

His career and reputation have been marred over the past year. Last November, his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer known as Cassie, accused him in a lawsuit of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape. She agreed to an undisclosed settlement one day after suing. Combs denied her allegations.

New York Mayor Eric Adams asked Combs to return a commemorative “key to the city” after a video showing him attacking Cassie surfaced in May.

BABY OIL, AR-15 RIFLES

Prosecutors said Combs and his associates used bribery and violence such as arson and kidnapping to try to keep his conduct secret.

In a March 2016 incident that resembles Cassie’s description of his alleged attack, prosecutors said Combs was captured on a hotel security video striking and dragging a woman trying to leave a “Freak Off.” Combs then offered a stack of cash to a hotel security officer who intervened, prosecutors said.

In 2011, Combs and a co-conspirator kidnapped a person at gun point to facilitate a break in, prosecutors said. Two weeks later, Combs’ co-conspirators set a car on fire, and he later bragged about his role in the arson, prosecutors said.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Rapper Sean Diddy Combs arrives at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, U.S., August 28, 2016.  REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

Prosecutors said Combs’ employees helped arrange the “Freak Offs” by booking hotel rooms and buying controlled substances and other items used during sex, according to the indictment.

During raids of his homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida six months ago, authorities found drugs and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, along with AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers, the indictment said.

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A-Mark Precious Metals extends credit agreement to 2026

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EL SEGUNDO, CA – A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. (NASDAQ:), a leading wholesaler of precious metals, has amended its existing credit agreement, extending the facility’s termination date and modifying certain covenants. This development was formalized on Monday, with the company entering into the Tenth Amendment to its Credit Agreement.

The amendment pushes the termination date of the revolving credit facility to September 30, 2026, or an earlier date if certain conditions outlined in the agreement are met. This extension provides A-Mark with continued access to its credit line for nearly two additional years beyond the original termination date.

In addition to the extension, the Tenth Amendment also introduces changes to the covenants of the Credit Agreement. While the specific details of these modifications were not disclosed in the press release, such changes typically aim to adjust the company’s operational and financial flexibility within the scope of the credit facility.

A-Mark’s original Credit Agreement was established on December 21, 2021, and has since undergone several amendments leading up to this latest, the Tenth Amendment. CIBC Bank USA serves as the administrative agent for the lenders involved in this credit facility.

In other recent news, A-Mark Precious Metals has seen significant developments in its financial performance and business strategy. The company’s fiscal year results, ending June 30, 2024, reported a net income of $66.2 million, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.75.

After excluding a re-measurement gain from its investment in Silver Gold Bull, the diluted EPS was $2.15. Despite a 19% decrease in fourth-quarter revenues to $2.52 billion, A-Mark concluded the fiscal year with over $3 million direct-to-consumer customers and repurchased $22.4 million of its common stock.

Analysts from B.Riley and DA Davidson have shown confidence in A-Mark Precious Metals, raising their stock price targets to $44 and $47 respectively. B.Riley’s new forecast expects A-Mark Precious Metals to achieve an adjusted EBITDA of $31.6 million and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.91 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, up from its previous estimates. This optimism is based on the assumption of increased gold and silver pricing and improved sales volumes.

In strategic developments, A-Mark Precious Metals is contemplating expanding its market reach, potentially through a trading hub in Singapore. The company has also broadened its presence in Asia with the acquisition of LPM and increased its investment in Silver Gold Bull Canada.

Despite facing a 25% increase in interest expenses and a 54% decrease in full-year EBITDA compared to the previous fiscal year, A-Mark remains optimistic about potential M&A opportunities and maintaining profitability.

InvestingPro Insights

A-Mark Precious Metals’ recent amendment to its credit agreement aligns with the company’s strong financial performance and market position. According to InvestingPro data, A-Mark has demonstrated impressive growth with a 60.24% price total return over the past year and a substantial 46.43% return in the last six months. This positive momentum is further reflected in the company’s market capitalization of $1.03 billion.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that A-Mark’s stock price often moves in the opposite direction of the market, which could be advantageous for investors seeking portfolio diversification. Additionally, the company’s liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, suggesting a solid financial foundation that supports the extended credit facility.

While A-Mark suffers from weak gross profit margins, as noted by an InvestingPro Tip, the company remains profitable with a P/E ratio of 15.05, indicating reasonable valuation relative to earnings. This profitability, combined with the extended credit agreement, positions A-Mark well for potential future growth in the precious metals market.

For investors interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips for A-Mark Precious Metals, providing a more comprehensive view of the company’s financial health and market position.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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Camden National Corporation to Announce Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 Financial Results on October 29, 2024

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CAMDEN, Maine, Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Camden National (NASDAQ:) Corporation (NASDAQ: ) will report financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.  A conference call and webcast will be held at 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 hosted by Simon Griffiths, President and Chief Executive Officer and Michael Archer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer.

Parties interested in listening to the teleconference should dial into the call or connect to the webcast link 10 “ 15 minutes before it begins. Dial-in and webcast information to participate is as follows:

Live Dial-In (Domestic): (833) 470-1428
Live Dial-In (International): (929) 526-1599
Participant access code: 504894
Live Webcast URL:    https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/685424551

A link to the live webcast will be available on Camden National Corporation’s website at CamdenNationalCorporation.com  prior to the meeting. The transcript and replay of the conference call will also be made available on Camden National’s website following the conference call.

About Camden National Corporation

Camden National Corporation (NASDAQ: CAC) is Northern New England’s largest publicly traded bank holding company, with $5.7 billion in assets. Founded in 1875, Camden National Bank has 57 branches in Maine and New Hampshire, is a full-service community bank offering the latest digital banking, complemented by award-winning, personalized service. Additional information is available at CamdenNational.bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Comprehensive wealth management, investment, and financial planning services are delivered by Camden National Wealth Management.

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MESA LABS DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

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LAKEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ:MLAB) (we, us, our, Mesa or the Company) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share of common stock. The dividend will be payable on December 16, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 29, 2024.

About Mesa Laboratories (NASDAQ:), Inc.

Mesa is a global leader in the design and manufacture of life science tools and critical quality control solutions for regulated applications in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device industries. Mesa offers products and services to help our customers ensure product integrity, increase patient and worker safety, and improve the quality of life throughout the world.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain information that constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and present expectations or projections.   Forward-looking statements include statements relating to revenues and growth, operating results, profit margin pressure, industry conditions, economic conditions, demand, competition, the effects of additional actions taken to become more efficient or lower costs, risks related to the integration of acquired businesses, changes in legal and regulatory matters, the ability to generate additional cash flow, and any events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future. Generally, the words expect, anticipate, seek, intend, plan, believe, could, estimate, may, target, project, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements are based upon current information and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those estimated or anticipated as a result of these risks and unknowns or other risks and uncertainties. For additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect these statements, and our business, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, to provide any updates, or to reflect the occurrence of future events.

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