Federal prosecutors have strongly opposed Sean "Diddy" Combs' latest appeal to be released on bail, citing previous attempts to obstruct justice following a 2016 incident in which he allegedly assaulted then-girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura. In new court filings, the U.S. Attorney's Office highlighted Diddy's history of intimidating witnesses and attempting to conceal evidence as key reasons why he should remain in custody while awaiting trial.
Prosecutors are urging the appeals court to uphold the lower court's decision to deny Combs bond, arguing that his past actions, particularly after the March 2016 altercation, demonstrate that he poses a significant risk to tamper with witnesses. "Diddy attempted to bribe a hotel security officer with a stack of cash in exchange for silence," prosecutors said, referencing the violent encounter captured on surveillance cameras at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.
The 2016 video, which surfaced earlier this year, shows Diddy physically assaulting Cassie during a party he was hosting. According to prosecutors, hotel security officers, having witnessed the attack via surveillance footage, confronted Combs. In response, the music mogul allegedly offered them money to keep the incident quiet. Prosecutors claim that shortly after the confrontation, the video "disappeared" from the hotel's servers, further suggesting an effort to obstruct justice.
The federal prosecutors argue that this pattern of behavior, including alleged attempts to bribe and intimidate, makes Diddy a flight risk and a danger to witnesses. "Given his history of interference and tampering with evidence, allowing Mr. Combs out on bail would present a real threat to the integrity of this case," they wrote in court filings.
This development comes as Diddy continues to face serious criminal charges, including sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. He has been held without bail since his arrest in connection with these charges. Combs' legal team had previously appealed the bond decision, claiming that the artist's continued detention violates his right to a fair trial. The court has already denied two prior bail requests.
In response to Diddy's accusation that federal authorities leaked the 2016 hotel video to the media, prosecutors firmly denied the claims. In a letter to the court, they stated that they were not in possession of the footage at the time it was made public by CNN in May. "The Government was not in possession of the video before its publication by CNN," prosecutors said, asserting that the defense's allegations of a leak were unfounded. They emphasized that the video was obtained and aired by media outlets without their involvement.
Diddy has continued to maintain his innocence in the face of the charges and the media storm that has followed. In a separate filing, his attorneys reiterated their intent to push for a swift trial, aiming for a court date in the spring of 2025. "Mr. Combs continues to assert his right to a speedy trial and intends to request a trial date in April or May 2025," defense attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos stated in their letter to the judge.
Combs' defense team has also raised concerns about pretrial publicity, particularly the impact of media leaks and the release of the 2016 video, which they argue could unfairly influence potential jurors. "These leaks have led to damaging, highly prejudicial pretrial publicity that can only taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial," they argued in court filings.
Despite these concerns, federal prosecutors have remained steadfast, insisting that Diddy's past actions warrant his continued detention. They also pointed to the broader criminal charges against him, which include allegations of forced sex trafficking and a sprawling racketeering conspiracy that could involve multiple victims. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied any wrongdoing.
Diddy's legal battles extend beyond the criminal case, as he faces several civil lawsuits from alleged victims of his actions. These cases, which include claims of sexual misconduct and assault, have further complicated his legal situation and continue to attract significant public and media attention.
