Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy, has made a third attempt to secure bail while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The 55-year-old music mogul, facing allegations of running a decade-long criminal enterprise, claims his reputation has been irreparably damaged by the accusations and media coverage.
In his latest bail application, Diddy’s legal team argued that the charges are “fictional” and accused prosecutors of presenting a “theatrical spin” to tarnish his public image. His lawyers emphasized that only an acquittal in the trial, scheduled for May next year, could restore his reputation.
Diddy has been denied bail twice before, despite proposing a $50 million package that included home detention and 24-hour monitoring. Prosecutors have maintained that he poses a risk of obstructing justice, citing allegations of witness tampering and his ongoing influence from behind bars.
The charges against Diddy include claims of organizing drug-fueled “Freak Off” parties where women were allegedly coerced into long and exploitative sexual encounters, sometimes involving male prostitutes. Among his accusers is his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who prosecutors claim was a victim of trafficking.
However, Diddy’s legal team has sought to discredit these accusations, asserting that the second alleged victim in the indictment had been “voluntarily intimate” with him for years. They also challenged the validity of security footage from a 2016 altercation between Diddy and Ventura at the Intercontinental Hotel, which they claim was edited to appear more incriminating than it was.
Additionally, his lawyers dismissed claims of trafficking and racketeering, stating there is “no evidence” to support the allegations. They criticized the prosecution’s use of a birthday post shared by Diddy’s children on social media as supposed evidence of his continued influence, calling it a baseless attempt to exaggerate his actions.
Friday’s upcoming hearing in a New York federal court will not only address Diddy’s third bail request but also allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. His legal team has argued that such misconduct could warrant the dismissal of the case entirely.
As the trial approaches, Diddy maintains his innocence, insisting he is committed to facing the charges in court and clearing his name.