Sean "Diddy" Combs is making another attempt to secure his release from the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, offering a new $50 million bail package supported by the equity in his Florida mansion. Combs has been held for eight weeks on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and related allegations. The proposal, unveiled on Friday, comes as his legal team faces mounting challenges ahead of a scheduled May 2025 trial.
The music mogul's latest request includes additional restrictions aimed at addressing prosecutors' concerns over witness tampering. Combs' attorneys insist he poses no flight risk or threat to public safety, disputing the strength of the government's case. Court documents obtained by USA Today outline stringent conditions, including 24/7 monitoring by approved security personnel, restrictions on internet and phone use to legal matters only, and a pre-approved list of visitors limited to close family members. Additionally, Combs and his family would surrender their passports, and he would be subject to full home detention either at his $48 million Miami estate or another approved residence.
The revised bail request follows multiple denials, with judges previously deeming Combs a risk to tamper with witnesses. During a bond hearing in September, prosecutors emphasized his alleged use of intimidation tactics, a key factor in his detention. Federal Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr., who has since recused himself, ruled that no bail conditions would sufficiently mitigate the potential risks posed by Combs' release.
Combs' legal team argues that his continued detention impedes his ability to prepare for trial. They claim the restrictive environment at the Brooklyn jail has prevented consistent access to critical evidence and legal counsel. "Even assuming Mr. Combs obtains a compliant laptop and counsel visits every day, uninterrupted, it will be impossible for Mr. Combs to review this incredible volume of evidence under the present conditions," his attorneys stated.
Among the evidence referenced is a contentious 2016 video of Combs allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Prosecutors assert the footage depicts Combs' involvement in coerced "freak offs," or forced sexual encounters. However, Combs' defense characterizes the incident as part of a toxic long-term relationship, rejecting its relevance to sex trafficking allegations. "The events of March 5, 2016, are powerful evidence of trafficking, a recorded example of defendant's use of force in connection with a freak off," prosecutor Emily Johnson argued in a previous hearing.
Prosecutors have reportedly amassed extensive evidence against Combs, including interviews with 50 alleged victims and witnesses, as well as more than 130 digital devices. Combs' defense counters that the evidence lacks the incriminating weight suggested by the government, with attorney statements indicating a commitment to exposing purported flaws in the prosecution's case.
In a parallel development, Combs' legal team faced another setback on Friday when U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian denied a motion to impose a gag order on potential witnesses and their attorneys. Citing free speech concerns, Subramanian ruled, "Not all alleged victims will be participants in this case, and a blanket restriction on their speech will silence individuals who may never have anything to do with the proceedings." The judge emphasized the necessity of considering less restrictive alternatives before curtailing speech.
Combs' previous requests for a gag order were similarly denied, with the court maintaining that existing laws prohibiting public disclosure of grand jury proceedings and other sensitive information should suffice.
The complexities of Combs' legal battle extend beyond bail conditions. Delays and disputes over evidence access have prompted broader questions about the fairness of his pretrial detention. His lawyers have noted that conditions at the Brooklyn facility, including frequent lockdowns and restricted communication, hinder adequate defense preparation.
Despite the legal hurdles, Combs' attorneys continue to push for his release, emphasizing the support of his family, including his seven children. "Sean Combs's seven children and his mother love and support him and need his love and support," his attorneys stated.
