Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs remains in federal custody after a third unsuccessful bail attempt. He's been held in a Brooklyn jail since September, facing serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering.
Combs' legal team offered a substantial $50 million bail package, secured by his Miami Beach property. However, prosecutors argued against his release, citing concerns about witness intimidation and flight risk. They highlighted Combs' alleged attempts to influence witnesses from jail and emphasized his considerable wealth, suggesting it could create an uneven playing field in the justice system. The proposed bail package included hiring a private security firm to monitor Combs and manage his communications while under house arrest, a plan prosecutors viewed as problematic.
The judge's decision comes after a hearing where prosecutors were ordered to remove images of Combs' handwritten notes seized from his cell, deemed protected by attorney-client privilege. Excerpts from these notes, reportedly referencing gathering compromising information on potential witnesses, were also deemed inadmissible in the bail hearing. Prosecutors further asserted that Combs' release could endanger victims and witnesses, pointing to a documented history of alleged obstructive behavior, including encouraging others to cover for him. Court documents detail allegations of violence and threats towards staff and partners.
This latest bail denial follows two previous unsuccessful attempts. Prosecutors previously expressed serious apprehension about victim and witness safety if Combs were released, and the judge rejected his request for a gag order that would have limited further accusations. A trial date is set for May 5, 2025, and the presiding U.S. attorney may be replaced by then, depending on President-elect Trump’s nominee.
The federal investigation began in November 2023, coinciding with a lawsuit filed by Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, alleging physical and sexual abuse. The lawsuit was settled quickly, but a leaked video purportedly showed Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway. Since then, numerous additional accusers have come forward, with one attorney claiming to represent over 100 individuals seeking legal action against the rapper. Combs has consistently denied all allegations.
