Attorneys for Sean "P. Diddy" Combs have accused federal prosecutors of orchestrating a search of his jail cell to unlawfully obtain confidential materials related to his defense. The allegations, detailed in recent court filings, claim that prosecutors from the Southern District of New York (SDNY) worked with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to conduct the November 2024 search at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center.
The defense contends the raid was conducted under false pretenses and specifically targeted privileged materials. According to the filings, SDNY officials allegedly instructed BOP personnel to search Diddy's cell, seeking information about his defense strategy and witnesses. "The search was conducted based upon a pretext, not for any legitimate penological reason," stated Alex Shapiro, one of Diddy's attorneys, in legal documents obtained by The Mirror. The defense argues the raid violated Diddy's Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights.
The controversy over the search has been brewing since November, when prosecutors admitted to possessing notes taken from Diddy's cell. The materials included written communications regarding defense strategies and potential witnesses. After defense attorneys raised concerns, the court ordered the destruction of the documents, citing concerns over attorney-client privilege.
Prosecutors have denied any misconduct, asserting the raid was part of a routine operation planned well before Diddy's incarceration. They maintain the materials obtained during the search were neither privileged nor unlawfully seized. However, Diddy's legal team remains unconvinced, claiming the search was explicitly directed by SDNY prosecutors handling his case.
The defense has also taken issue with the actions of an unnamed individual referred to as "Investigator-1." According to the filings, Investigator-1 monitored Diddy's phone calls, including privileged conversations with his attorneys, and shared those recordings with federal prosecutors. The defense argues this conduct represents a serious breach of attorney-client confidentiality.
Diddy's attorneys further allege that the decision to raid his cell was made during a meeting between BOP officials and SDNY supervisors. The defense claims the supervisors pushed for the search as part of their investigation, undermining the notion that it was a routine operation. They argue the prosecutors' involvement in directing the raid underscores a violation of constitutional protections.
In their filing, Diddy's attorneys pointed to his clean disciplinary record during his four months in custody, disputing claims that the search was necessary for institutional safety. "Mr. Combs has never received so much as a write-up in his time at BOP custody," the filing stated.
The legal team has asked the court to compel the government to disclose additional communications related to the raid and hold a hearing to address their concerns. They argue that further transparency is necessary to ensure the fairness of the judicial process and to prevent potential misconduct from influencing the case.
The allegations against prosecutors add another layer of complexity to Diddy's upcoming trial, where he faces charges of sex trafficking and related crimes. His legal team has expressed concerns that the government's actions could unfairly prejudice the case, particularly if privileged information was improperly accessed or used.
While the court has not yet ruled on the defense's latest requests, the dispute underscores the high stakes involved in the proceedings. The SDNY has declined to comment on the allegations, citing the ongoing nature of the case.