NEW YORK — On Tuesday, attorneys representing Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs urged a judge in New York to compel prosecutors to reveal the identities of the individuals making accusations against him in his sex trafficking case.
In a letter sent to a federal court judge in Manhattan, Combs’s legal team argued that knowing the names of the alleged victims is crucial for him to effectively prepare for an impending trial.
A trial date has been established for Combs, set for May 5, and he has entered a plea of not guilty.
As of now, prosecutors have opted not to comment on the situation.
Combs, who is 54 years old, is currently held in custody without the possibility of bail following his arrest on September 16 in connection with federal sex trafficking charges.
His legal representatives have submitted a request to a federal appeals court, seeking his release into home detention. This would presumably allow Combs to better collaborate with his attorneys and prepare for the trial.
Judicial authorities have so far deemed him a potential danger to the community, resulting in a denial of his release requests.
The push for the identification of the accusers comes hot on the heels of six additional lawsuits filed against Combs anonymously, aimed at safeguarding the identities of the complainants.
Of these new lawsuits, two accusers were designated as Jane Does, while four males were referred to as John Does. The allegations indicate that Combs exploited his celebrity status and the promise of advancing their careers within the music industry, drawing victims to extravagant parties or drug-laden gatherings where misconduct occurred.
The plaintiffs involved in the lawsuits filed recently are said to be part of a broader collective of over 100 individuals who are pursuing legal action against Combs, according to their attorneys.
In their correspondence to Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs’s legal representatives pointed out the distinctiveness of the case, particularly due to the sheer number of accusers involved. They attributed this influx to Combs’s public profile, wealth, and the visibility of a prior legal case that had been settled.
This previous case pertained to allegations from his former partner, Cassie, also known as Casandra Ventura. Even after an expedited settlement of that lawsuit, its serious allegations of both sexual and physical abuse continue to loom over him.
Typically, names of those claiming to be victims of sexual abuse are not disclosed unless the individuals choose to come forward, as was the case with Ventura.
Combs’s legal team claimed that the settlement related to Cassie’s lawsuit, along with purported “false inflammatory statements” presented by federal agents and his celebrity, have contributed to an outpouring of claims from unnamed complainants, with some being described as “false to outright absurd.”
They expressed concern that the unrest sparked by these lawsuits and rumors has resulted in what they described as a sensationalized “media circus,” which could severely hinder Combs’s right to a fair trial, if it hasn’t already.
In their letter, Combs’s attorneys stressed that the government must identify the alleged victims to allow their client to understand which specific accusations are being presented in the indictment against him.
They argued, “If Mr. Combs is compelled to defend himself against criminal claims the government does not intend to substantiate in court, he deserves to be aware of that.”
The indictment lays out allegations that Combs engaged in coercive and abusive behavior towards women for an extended period, allegedly with the aid of a network comprising his associates and employees, employing tactics like blackmail, violence, and intimidation to prevent victims from coming forward.