Disgraced Diddy ‘KNEW he was going down so paid off mortgage on $48m “Freak Off” mansion in Miami before shock arrest’

SEAN “Diddy” Combs quietly paid off the mortgage on his $48 million Star Island mansion before his arrest.

The disgraced music mogul settled the outstanding $18.8 million as sex trafficking charges loomed.

Combs, 54, remains in custody after being charged with sex trafficking, as well as racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

But before his arrest on September 16, Combs is understood to have anticipated a legal firestorm and paid off the mortgage on his swanky 14,800 square foot Star Island pad in Miami.

Cops raided the seven-bedroom waterfront estate back in March – and reportedly discovered a stash of drugs, baby oil and lubricants.

Prosecutors allege the shamed rap star ran an underground ring of drug-fueled parties he called “Freak Offs” at the site – which boasts multiple pools and a spa.

At these so-called parties Combs allegedly forced victims to have sex with hired sex workers while it was filmed on camera.

Freak Offs often involved drug usage to keep participants “obedient and compliant,” followed by IV fluids to help them recover afterward, prosecutors allege.

Combs would then use the “sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating” footage “as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims,” it is claimed.

The embattled hip-hop tycoon has denied the allegations of running a sex-crime empire, which stem from a months-long investigation.

But last week Combs had his bail bid denied by a judge – leaving him holed up in a hellhole rat-infested prison as he awaits trial.

In an attempt to secure bail, his defense team had proposed a $50 million bond package – with his Star Island home at the center of the offer.

Attorney Marc Agnifilo told the court: “We paid off the mortgage because that is what it means to build trust.”

But the judge dismissed this, arguing Combs could still flee before trial.

Despite his attorney claiming Combs cleared the mortgage last August to “build trust”, legal sources claim it could be for another reason.

Combs was likely looking to take advantage of Florida’s Homestead Act, which stops homeowners losing the equity in their primary residence no matter what, a source told the New York Post.

It means the rapper’s key asset will be protected regardless of any potential legal issues.

If Combs is convicted and receives the maximum sentence, he faces life in prison.

The minimum sentence is 15 years.

Combs lost two appeals for bail last week, despite making multiple promises of better behavior in exchange for his freedom.

His initial court appearance last Tuesday saw a judge order him to be held without bail, citing “very significant concerns” about his reported substance abuse and “anger issues.”

An appeal led to Combs’ three sons Quincy Brown, Christian “King” Combs, and Justin Combs co-signing a $50 million bail proposal.

A second judge on Wednesday once again denied the plea and ruled Combs would remain jailed pending trial.

The rapper is alleged to have used “certain employees” to “carry out, facilitate and cover up his abuse and commercial sex [ring].”

According to the indictment, “high-ranking supervisors” helped orchestrate “freak offs” – which Combs called the alleged drug-fuelled sexual performances.

The unsealed indictment reveals Combs allegedly forced victims to have sex with sex workers and recorded the disturbing scenes.

Prosecutors allege that “Freak Offs were elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded.”

Documents claim Combs arranged for sex workers to be transported internationally and across state lines for the Freak Offs, which sometimes lasted for multiple days and involved several sex workers.

Prosecutors said that Combs used “the sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating recordings that he made during Freak Offs as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims.”