In a Manhattan courtroom, a federal judge addressed the behavior of a legal representative for music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs as a sex trafficking trial commenced. The judge admonished attorney Mark Geragos for remarks made on a podcast, where he controversially labeled prosecutors as a “six-pack of white women.”
During a private courtroom discussion on Tuesday, Judge Arun Subramanian broached the issue with Geragos, expressing that his comments were unacceptable. The judge has slated the process of jury selection to conclude on Friday, with the trial kicking off Monday with opening arguments.
Sean Combs, the 55-year-old hip-hop figure, is facing serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking following his arrest last month. Held without bail, Combs entered a plea of not guilty. Geragos was cautioned by the court to adhere strictly to local guidelines related to public comments by attorneys involved in ongoing trials. Despite Geragos not being listed as Combs’ attorney in official court records, his involvement with the defense team was acknowledged, as he has been seen collaborating with jury consultants.
Judge Subramanian directly questioned whether Geragos, known for representing high-profile clients like Michael Jackson, was advising Combs. Geragos explained he represents Combs’ mother and has frequent discussions with Combs. Teny Geragos, his daughter, plays a crucial role in Combs’ defense.
The judicial warning was prompted after Geragos criticized the composition of the prosecution team on the “2 Angry Men” podcast. The judge emphasized that referring to the prosecutors as a “six-pack of white women” was inappropriate for a lawyer. Geragos defended his comments by suggesting it was a perspective from the viewpoint of his client, who perceived the situation as biased.
Judge Subramanian maintained his stance, urging professional discourse within the courtroom. He informed Geragos of his intent to monitor his conduct, even humorously mentioning he would now be a new listener to his podcast. Geragos responded with humor, suggesting increased subscriptions were welcomed.
Ahead of the trial, Combs’ legal team accused federal officials of spreading misleading information fueled by Combs’ celebrity status. They argued these actions had led to numerous unfounded claims, potentially jeopardizing the fairness of the trial.
The court has been meticulously interviewing potential jurors to ensure impartiality, with Combs observing the process closely. On Friday, both legal teams will narrow down the jury through peremptory challenges, a standard legal procedure to select the final panel of twelve jurors and alternates.
Combs is accused of orchestrating his enterprises akin to a criminal syndicate, leveraging his network for illegal activities, ranging from bribery to sex trafficking. The prosecution claims Combs exploited his influence to coerce women into detrimental scenarios, including orchestrating drug-fueled events called “Freak Offs,” where women were allegedly forced into sexual acts, at times captured on video by Combs.
In response, Combs’ attorneys argued that the actions in question were consensual and accused the prosecution of overregulating personal affairs.