Maurene Ryan Comey, a lead prosecutor in the high-profile Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case, has joined the federal team prosecuting Sean "Diddy" Combs on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Her involvement was officially filed Monday in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, marking a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against the music mogul.
Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, brings extensive experience in complex, high-profile cases. She was instrumental in securing the conviction of Maxwell, a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein, in 2021. Her addition to the prosecution team comes as Combs faces mounting legal troubles and remains detained without bail.
Combs, 54, has been incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his September arrest. Federal prosecutors allege that he orchestrated a decades-long criminal operation involving "freak off" parties, where women were allegedly drugged and coerced into sexual acts. The indictment also accuses Combs of using violence, including threats, firearms, and even arson, to silence victims and witnesses.
On Wednesday, Manhattan federal Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' bail request for the third time, citing "clear and convincing evidence" that no conditions could ensure public safety. The court noted a history of alleged witness tampering and violence, underscoring the seriousness of the charges. Subramanian ruled, "The Court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community."
Combs' legal team, led by Marc Agnifilo and Alexandra Shapiro, has aggressively fought the allegations, claiming that the proposed $50 million bail package-which included home confinement, 24/7 security, and restricted communication-would mitigate any risks. "There is no legitimate legal basis for continuing to force Mr. Combs to prepare for trial from jail," Shapiro argued in court filings. Prosecutors countered that Combs posed a "significant risk" of witness tampering, pointing to alleged attempts to contact witnesses from detention.
The court also highlighted evidence of past violence, including a 2016 incident involving Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Hotel surveillance footage, allegedly leaked to CNN, reportedly shows Combs assaulting Ventura in a hallway. While the defense accused the Department of Homeland Security of leaking the footage to influence the grand jury and media narrative, the court has ordered prosecutors to submit an affidavit denying involvement in the leak.
The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile racketeering trials, with Agnifilo previously representing NXIVM leader Keith Raniere and other prominent figures. Meanwhile, Comey's addition to the prosecution team signals the government's intent to vigorously pursue the case.
Combs' trial is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025. If convicted on all charges, he faces a potential life sentence. The charges include allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering, and other criminal activities spanning decades. The indictment details an extensive network of enablers allegedly used to carry out and conceal his actions.
The defense has accused prosecutors of bias and media manipulation, asserting that leaked evidence and public narratives have prejudiced the case. "This complaint is filled with the same kind of manufactured lies and irrelevant facts we've come to expect," Aaron Dyer, another member of Combs' legal team, stated earlier.
