Closing arguments began on Thursday morning in the federal sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, signaling the final stage of the high-profile case.

Assistant US attorney Christy Slavik opened by describing Combs as the “leader of a criminal enterprise” who “doesn’t take no for an answer”.

“The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” she said. “He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law.”

She alleged that Combs and his inner circle “committed hundreds of racketeering acts”.

The prosecutors delivered their closing argument first, with the defense expected to deliver its closing on Friday. Each side is expected to take roughly four hours, followed by a one-hour government rebuttal.

Combs was arrested in September and charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied the allegations against him.

If convicted on all counts, Combs could face up to life in prison.

Federal prosecutors allege that Combs led a sprawling “criminal enterprise” for at least two decades that, with the help of employees and close associates, engaged in a series of crimes including sex trafficking, drug distribution, kidnapping, arson, bribery and other crimes.

The government accuses Combs of using violence, threats, money, drugs, and influence to abuse and coerce women into participating in drug-fueled sex marathons with male escorts – referred to as “freak-offs”.

Combs’s lawyers have acknowledged past incidents of domestic violence, but they have argued throughout the trial that all sexual activity was consensual and part of a “swingers lifestyle”. They have maintained that no criminal conspiracy existed.

On Thursday, Slavik broke down each of the five charges against the music mogul.

With regards to the racketeering conspiracy charge, she said: “The concept is simple. The law recognizes that when someone commits a crime as part of a group, what the law calls an ‘enterprise’, they’re more powerful and more dangerous.”

Describing Combs as the center of that enterprise, she said: “It’s his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him.”

Slavik described the enterprise as Combs’s “trusted inner circle” who, at Combs’s direction, helped the music mogul carry out and cover up crimes.

Slavik said that Combs’s “younger and eager” employees “didn’t blink an eye” when they were given tasks, and followed orders to make Combs happy, even if it meant facilitating crimes.

Slavik reminded the jury of the the allegations made against Combs during the trial from two of his former girlfriends, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman identified as “Jane”, as well as the allegations made by former employees and others.

Slavik walked the jury through the various crimes that prosecutors have alleged the enterprise committed, which include drug distribution, sex trafficking, arson, bribery, forced labor, transportation for prostitution and kidnapping.

In court on Thursday, Combs sat and listened at the defense table as members of his family, including several of his children, were packed into the courtroom behind him.

The defense will deliver its closing arguments on Friday.

The prosecution rested its case on Tuesday after more than a month of testimony from 34 witnesses.

Those called to the stand over the last seven weeks included two of Combs’s former girlfriends, several of Combs’s former employees, male escorts, law enforcement agents, public figures such as rapper Kid Cudi and singer Dawn Richard, and many others.

Shortly after the prosecution rested on Tuesday, Combs informed the court that he would not testify. His legal team then rested its case without calling any witnesses of their own, instead submitting a series of exhibits and relying on their extensive cross-examinations conducted throughout the trial.

Combs has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his arrest last year.

• Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html