Amid fresh allegations that Sean “Diddy” Combs is managing a PR campaign from behind bars intended to intimidate witnesses and influence jurors, lawyers for the embattled hip-hop mogul on Monday demanded a hearing into how federal authorities obtained his paperwork from Brooklyn MDC.
In arguments opposing Combs’ latest request to be released on a $50 million bond, the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office on Friday alerted the judge that they had uncovered evidence he was tasking family members and associates with contacting potential witnesses and had asked them to make public statements intended to alter the public’s perception of his case, further arguing his “long history of violence demonstrates his dangerousness.”
“[While] attempting to evade law enforcement monitoring, the defendant has, among other things, orchestrated social media campaigns that are, in his own words, aimed at tainting the jury pool; made efforts to publicly leak materials he views as helpful to his case; and contacted witnesses through third parties,” prosecutors wrote Friday.
In one mostly-redacted line from Friday’s filing, the prosecution said it was clear Combs’ “goal is to blackmail victims and witnesses either into silence or providing testimony helpful to his defense.”
Combs’ lawyers on Monday morning told the court they learned at 11:29 p.m. on Friday that his notes were taken from his jail cell at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and given to the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office.
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“We request an immediate hearing at which the Government shall provide answers to the following questions: First, who authorized a search of Mr. Combs’ sleeping area, personal effects and paperwork? Second, who determined what paperwork to take? Third, who decided to give this paperwork to the United States Attorney’s Office? Fourth, who decided to give this paperwork to the trial prosecutors?” Combs’ lawyers Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos and Anthony Ricco wrote Monday.
“Fifth, who made the decision to not tell Mr. Combs’ counsel that the U.S. Attorney was in possession of his notes, including ‘possibly privileged materials’ until after the Government put them in a filing to keep him incarcerated? Sixth, exactly what material was taken?”
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and interstate transportation to engage in prostitution that allege that for years, he used his business empire to facilitate the sexual abuse and coercion of women he forced to participate in violent sexual performances called “freak offs.”
The feds say Combs often directed and videotaped the performances and drugged his victims into compliance and that he and associates engaged in forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.
Two federal judges have determined Combs poses too many risks to be released. He’s expected to appear in court Friday for another bail hearing.
The Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office and Combs’ lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
