Sean "Diddy" Combs has formally withdrawn his attempt to secure bail, solidifying his detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, until his trial begins in May 2025. The music mogul, facing a slew of federal charges, filed a motion through his legal counsel on Friday to dismiss his appeal for pretrial release.
"Mr. Combs does not seek to appeal the district court's denial of his renewed motion and hereby moves to voluntarily dismiss the appeal," the filing stated. Combs himself signed the motion, confirming that his legal team explained the consequences of his decision and that he understood the ramifications.
The decision comes after Combs had previously been denied bail four times, most recently in late November. Federal Judge Arun Subramanian cited significant concerns about witness tampering and public safety in his rulings. There is "evidence supporting a serious risk of witness tampering," Subramanian noted, referencing instances where Combs allegedly contacted witnesses and violated jailhouse rules, including using other inmates' phone access codes.
Prosecutors have alleged that from 2008 until his arrest in September 2024, Combs engaged in a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, and racketeering. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In a recent development, Combs was granted access to a preloaded laptop to review discovery materials in preparation for his trial. The laptop is restricted to viewing evidence only, with no functionality for taking or storing notes. Subramanian ordered that Combs be permitted to use the device daily, during specified hours, in a secure setting within the detention center.
Combs had previously lobbied for release on home confinement, offering a $50 million bond backed by equity in his properties and assurances of 24/7 security monitoring. However, Judge Subramanian rejected these proposals, emphasizing that no combination of conditions would reasonably ensure public safety or prevent witness interference.
The case against Combs has gained widespread attention since his arrest in September. Prosecutors allege that Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct." His legal troubles escalated after a lawsuit filed by his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in November 2024, accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her. That case was settled almost immediately, but it triggered a series of similar lawsuits.
Adding to the controversy, Jay-Z was named in a separate refiled case last week, where a Jane Doe alleged that he and Combs raped her when she was 13 years old in 2000. Jay-Z's lawyer has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming the suit is an extortion attempt orchestrated by attorney Tony Buzbee.
