A high-profile legal showdown involving Sean "Diddy" Combs intensified this week as federal prosecutors accused the imprisoned music mogul of orchestrating clandestine efforts to sway public opinion and witness testimony in his upcoming sex trafficking trial.
In explosive court filings, authorities allege Combs, who is detained at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), has been using bribes, secret phones, and social media stunts to "improperly influence the jury pool."
Prosecutors claim Combs directed his children to appear in a curated social media video marking his birthday on November 4. According to the filing, he then "monitored the analytics" from behind bars, discussing with his family how to ensure the footage "had his desired effect on potential jury members." One official noted, "The defendant's own words make clear that his intent is to improperly influence the jury pool."
Meanwhile, new tensions have emerged over Combs' alleged behind-the-scenes maneuvers. Prosecutors say he bribed at least one witness, a onetime member of his Dirty Money trio, Kalenna Harper, to publicly question abuse claims raised by another former colleague, Dawn Richard. Richard's lawsuit, filed on September 10, accuses Combs of sexual assault, deprivation of basic needs, and witnessing assaults on others, including then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and underage girls.
"Diddy is definitely feeling the heat," one music industry source told The National ENQUIRER , adding, "It's clear he'll stop at nothing to skate by!" As Combs faces what amounts to a steady drumbeat of lawsuits-nearly 120 individuals have reportedly sued him-his public relations tactics and alleged obstruction are drawing intense federal scrutiny.
Adding further complexity, Combs' defense team has launched a counteroffensive, accusing the government of spying on privileged legal communications. In filings obtained by TMZ, his lawyers claim federal authorities photographed handwritten notes exchanged between Combs and his counsel, effectively intruding on attorney-client privilege. These notes, they say, were then used against him in arguing against bail.
A judge recently ordered prosecutors to destroy copies of these confiscated documents until their admissibility can be determined. Combs' attorneys argue the alleged surveillance is "a blatant violation" of constitutional rights. "Those statements could very well become evidence at trial and lead to his downfall!" warned New York City lawyer Peter Gleason, who is not involved in the case.
The government's response portrays Combs as an inmate cleverly using other detainees' phone numbers to avoid detection, making calls to family members and associates. Prosecutors insist these calls were part of a grand strategy to shape media narratives and witness accounts, all in anticipation of a jury trial that promises to be one of the most closely watched in recent memory.
Combs was arrested in September on charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and interstate transportation for prostitution. He remains behind bars, having been repeatedly denied bail on grounds he poses a threat to the public. As the trial date approaches, both sides continue to set the stage for a legal battle centered not only on the original allegations but also on the conduct of the defendant and the government alike.