NEW YORK — Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been accused by prosecutors of attempting to reach out to potential witnesses and influence public perception while incarcerated, as he faces allegations in a forthcoming sex trafficking trial. This assertion was included in a recent court filing that urged a judge to deny his latest bid for bail.
The government’s claims surfaced in a filing submitted to a Manhattan federal court, which counters Combs’ $50 million bail request. A hearing regarding the bail motion is set for the following week. Prosecutors indicated that recordings of Combs’ phone calls from jail reveal that he has instructed family members to connect with potential witnesses and victims, pushing them to create “narratives” that could sway individuals who may serve on the jury. They also allege he has promoted marketing tactics to manipulate public sentiment.
Prosecutors expressed that Combs has demonstrated, even while behind bars, a blatant disregard for the rules, risking the integrity of his case. They highlighted that this behavior shows he cannot be relied upon to follow court-imposed regulations. Furthermore, prosecutors suggested that his actions might indicate an attempt to intimidate victims and witnesses, aiming to either silence them or coerce them into providing testimony favorable to his case.
There was no immediate response from Combs’ legal team regarding these claims. Prosecutors revealed that Combs, 55, began violating regulations shortly after his arrest and detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn last month. He has pleaded not guilty to charges asserting that he used manipulation and violence against women for years, silencing his victims through measures such as blackmail, kidnappings, and physical assault.
Judges have previously determined that he poses a danger to the public and is likely to flee from justice. Following two denials, his attorneys have submitted a third bail request, claiming there are new circumstances and evidence that justify his release for effective trial preparation ahead of the May 5 proceeding.
However, prosecutors contended that the new evidence introduced by the defense had already been available when prior bail applications were made. In their arguments, they maintained that Combs’ conduct in detention necessitated his continued incarceration. For instance, they pointed out that Combs enlisted family members to orchestrate a social media initiative centered around his birthday, aimed at swaying potential jurors in the case.
It was reported that he urged his children to share a celebratory video on social media, and he subsequently monitored the video’s engagement metrics from jail, advising his family on how to maximize its impact on prospective jurors. Additionally, authorities alleged that in other communications, Combs indicated plans to anonymously disseminate information he believed could assist his defense.
Prosecutors concluded that his relentless attempts to influence potential witnesses, particularly those who may testify about his alleged abusive behavior, highlight a concerted effort to undermine the integrity of the legal proceedings against him.