Current Events

Author: anonymDate: 2024-11-20 17:30:24

Prosecutors contend Sean 'Diddy' Combs is attempting to hinder his sex trafficking prosecution.

Federal prosecutors, in a late-night court document, argued against Sean Combs' renewed bail request, asserting the music executive presents substantial risks of endangerment and obstruction in his criminal sex trafficking case. Prosecutors highlighted Combs' actions while incarcerated, alleging he "orchestrated social media efforts intended to prejudice the jury pool; attempted to publicly release information advantageous to his defense; and contacted witnesses indirectly." The filing referenced notes from Combs' cell, discovered during a jail search. While the note contents are redacted, prosecutors stated there's "strong indication" Combs compensated an unidentified witness who'd posted an Instagram statement.

The government's filing further accused Combs of exploiting at least eight fellow MDC-Brooklyn inmates' phone accounts, "apparently to circumvent law enforcement surveillance" and contact individuals outside his authorized call list. The filing alleges, "To gain or maintain access to other inmates' [phone access code] numbers, the defendant directed others to compensate the inmates, utilizing payment applications and BOP commissary account deposits."

Combs' defense lawyers claimed new evidence "undercuts" the government's case, but prosecutors countered that "the defendant presents no novel or significant justification for a third bail review" and "reiterates previously rejected arguments." Prosecutors deemed the "nearly complete restrictions" Combs proposed within an expanded bail agreement "grossly inadequate" to prevent him from influencing his impending trial. Prosecutors described the defendant as "a violent, habitual abuser leveraging his substantial wealth and entertainment industry status to conceal illegal activities and deter victims and witnesses from coming forward." A Friday afternoon hearing is scheduled. Combs has entered a not guilty plea to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and prostitution charges alleging he used violence, threats, and coercion to compel women into sex acts with male escorts, sometimes for days and often recorded. Combs reportedly termed this "freak offs." In his release appeal, Combs characterized a video depicting him assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura as showing "a caring, occasionally contentious, long-term partnership between two adults who mutually decided to separate."