Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been accused of breaching prison regulations by allegedly contacting potential witnesses in his upcoming sex trafficking trial.
Prosecutors have claimed that Mr. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, made “relentless efforts” to influence testimonies through indirect and unauthorised communications.
According to court filings, the 55-year-old musician allegedly used other inmates’ phone accounts and engaged in three-way calls to connect with individuals not on his approved contact list. Prosecutors also claimed that he instructed his family to contact witnesses and cited instances of orchestrating social media posts to influence a potential jury.
Mr. Combs, known for his 1990s hits I’ll Be Missing You and Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems, has been held in custody in Manhattan since his arrest in September. Multiple bail requests, including a recent $50 million package with 24/7 monitoring, have been denied, with judges citing risks of witness tampering and obstruction of justice.
Allegations of witness influence
Prosecutors argued that recorded calls and messages reveal Mr. Combs’ alleged attempts to manipulate witnesses. One cited instance involved a social media statement by an unnamed woman, referred to as “witness two,” which prosecutors claim was drafted with Mr. Combs’ input during prison calls.
They further alleged that Mr. Combs arranged payment for her after the statement’s release and monitored audience engagement on social media posts to strategize their influence on a potential jury. A video posted by Mr. Combs’ children on November 5, showing them wishing him a happy birthday during a prison call, was also cited as part of this alleged strategy.
Mr. Combs’ legal team has pushed back, citing harsh jail conditions that hinder his ability to prepare for trial. Lawyer Alexandra Shapiro highlighted issues such as frequent lockdowns and restricted access to materials, arguing that the lack of a laptop computer and confiscation of note-taking tools violate Mr. Combs’ constitutional rights.
However, prosecutors dismissed these concerns, maintaining that detention conditions are standard and insisting that granting bail would pose significant risks to the trial.
Criminal and civil cases mount
Mr. Combs faces three federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering tied to allegations of orchestrating drug-fuelled, sexually exploitative events. Simultaneously, he is defending against over two dozen civil suits accusing him of sexual assault and exploitation.
The accusations began last November when his ex-partner, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a civil suit alleging years of abuse. While the case was swiftly settled out of court, it prompted a federal investigation that led to his arrest.
Separate lawsuit targets attorney
In a separate legal development, a high-profile individual has filed a lawsuit against Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents multiple plaintiffs against Mr. Combs. The lawsuit accuses Mr. Buzbee of extortion, claiming he fabricated allegations to coerce settlements.
Responding to the claims, Mr. Buzbee called the lawsuit a “frivolous” attempt to silence him and dismissed allegations of wrongdoing.
As Mr. Combs’ trial looms, both legal teams remain entrenched in a battle that could have significant implications for the music icon’s legacy.
