Imprisoned Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of reaching out to prospective witnesses to affect potential jurors
Disgraced rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who's in jail as he's facing charges of sex trafficking and others, allegedly reached out to prospective witnesses to affect potential jurors for his trial.
The Guardian reported that prosecutors, in a Manhattan federal court filing, urged the judge to reject his latest bail request of $50 million (P2.9 billion). A bail hearing is scheduled for next week.
This is Combs's third bail request after the two previous attempts were rejected.
Prosecutors said a review of recorded jail calls made by Combs shows he has asked family members to reach out to potential victims and witnesses, allegedly urging them to create “narratives” to influence the jury pool.
He also allegedly encouraged marketing strategies to sway public opinion.
“The defendant has shown repeatedly–even while in custody–that he will flagrantly and repeatedly flout rules in order to improperly impact the outcome of his case," the filing read. "The defendant has shown, in other words, that he cannot be trusted to abide by rules or conditions."
Prosecutors said it could be inferred that Combs wants to blackmail victims and witnesses into silence, if not provide testimony helpful to his defense.
They also accused Combs of breaking rules as soon as he was detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after his arrest in September.
Combs is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges but could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Over 100 individuals, including dozens of children, are suing Diddy, saying they're victims of rape, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation at his hands.