Prosecutors Accuse Diddy of 'Relentless' Witness Blackmail Campaign from Jail.
Prosecutors Assert Diddy Is Running a 'Relentless' Scheme to 'Intimidate' Witnesses from Jail. Federal prosecutors are once again urging a judge to deny Sean "Diddy" Combs bail, alleging that the music mogul has been trying to manipulate witnesses and sway potential jurors while incarcerated.
On Friday, prosecutors submitted a motion in response to Combs' request for a new bail hearing, following previous denials from two different judges regarding his pre-trial release. In their latest filing, prosecutors argue that Combs has made "relentless attempts" to reach out to potential witnesses, including victims of his alleged abuse who could offer significant testimony against him.
The founder of Bad Boy Records is accused of using the phone access codes, known as PAC numbers, belonging to other inmates to contact various individuals—including his sons—from jail, and has reportedly made "three-way calls" to connect with others. Additionally, prosecutors claim that Combs has utilized a third-party communication service called ContactMeASAP to reach out to "unauthorized" individuals. Some of the allegations in the filing have been redacted.
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Prosecutors pointed to an October phone call between Combs and one of his adult sons as an example of his alleged attempts to contact witnesses, although the details of that call are not disclosed. Nonetheless, they assert that the call "strongly suggests that the defendant’s intention is to intimidate victims and witnesses into silence or to provide testimony favorable to his defense."
Combs is accused by prosecutors of attempting to influence public opinion about his case while incarcerated. They reference an Instagram video shared by his son, Justin, which shows Combs' children singing happy birthday to their father, who celebrated his 55th birthday on November 4. According to prosecutors, Combs has been "monitoring the analytics" and "audience engagement" from jail, and he reportedly discussed strategies with his family to ensure the video would have the intended impact on potential jurors.
The music mogul faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution following a federal indictment. Initially, Combs was denied bail due to concerns that he might interfere with witnesses. The indictment claims he leveraged his influence to arrange "freak offs," which prosecutors describe as meticulously planned sexual performances involving male sex workers and women who were allegedly coerced into participating.
Combs has pleaded not guilty and is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits trial. In a filing dated November 8, Combs' legal team made another attempt to secure his release, proposing very strict conditions. The bail motion argues that the prosecution's case is "thin" and references a March 2016 video included in the initial indictment, which allegedly shows Combs violently assaulting a woman in a hotel in Los Angeles.
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The defense argues that the video does not show a coerced "freak off," but instead offers a lengthy look into a complicated yet consensual relationship that has lasted over a decade between Mr. Combs and Victim 1. Combs' attorneys have suggested that he be placed under home detention with round-the-clock security monitoring and strict limitations on his ability to communicate with anyone except for his legal team.
The trial for Combs is set to take place in May 2025. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.