Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing serious allegations of attempting to manipulate witnesses and influence public perception while in federal custody, according to court filings submitted Friday. Combs, 55, is detained at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution. Federal prosecutors claim he has tried to obstruct justice and interfere with ongoing proceedings, arguing that he should be denied bail again due to his alleged behavior behind bars.
The court documents, filed by Manhattan prosecutors, detail recorded calls from Combs, alleging that he has used his time in jail to circumvent monitoring protocols, orchestrate social media campaigns, and attempt to manipulate potential witnesses. "Since the defendant has been detained at MDC, he has continued to try to evade law enforcement monitoring, corruptly influence witness testimony, and further attack the integrity of these proceedings," the prosecutors wrote. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors allege that Combs instructed family members to reach out to potential witnesses and victims, urging them to craft "narratives" that would sway public opinion and potentially influence the jury pool. Additionally, Combs is accused of encouraging marketing strategies aimed at tainting the public's view of his case. The government's filing argues that this behavior demonstrates Combs' unwillingness to follow rules and conditions, stating, "The defendant has shown repeatedly - even while in custody - that he will flagrantly and repeatedly flout rules in order to improperly impact the outcome of his case."
Combs has also allegedly violated prison regulations by directing callers to include other individuals via unauthorized three-way calls and by using the telephone accounts of at least eight other inmates. According to the filing, this tactic is used to evade monitoring and conceal the identities of those he is contacting. "The defendant's repeated circumvention of BOP regulations-starting almost immediately after arriving at MDC-speaks volumes about his ability to comply with any conditions of release," the prosecutors stated.
The allegations come as Combs prepares for his upcoming trial. His legal team, which has repeatedly requested bail, most recently proposed a $50 million bail package, which includes home detention with GPS monitoring and around-the-clock private security. The defense has argued that new evidence warrants his release to better prepare for trial. Combs' lawyers claim that the government's case is "weakening" and have pointed to what they describe as misrepresentations by prosecutors regarding the strength of the evidence against him.
In response, prosecutors insist that Combs' latest request for bail "rehashes the same arguments" previously rejected by two judges. They argue that Combs' continued efforts to interfere with the legal process make him a danger to the community and unfit for pretrial release. Specific examples of how Combs has allegedly sought to shape public opinion, such as monitoring social media engagement related to his case, were included in the redacted filing.
Prosecutors emphasize that Combs' attempts to contact witnesses, including those who could provide damaging testimony against him, reflect a pattern of obstruction. "The defendant's efforts to obstruct the integrity of this proceeding also include relentless efforts to contact potential witnesses, including victims of his abuse," the filing notes.
His trial is set to take place in May 2025, and the legal battle over his detention and attempts to influence the proceedings continues to intensify.
