November 28, 2024: Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in federal custody as he awaits trial after his request for a $50 million bail package was denied by District Judge Arun Subramanian. This ruling follows a series of denials by two other judges, who raised concerns about Combs’ potential to tamper with witnesses and his alleged history of violent behavior, including incidents involving firearms, kidnapping, and arson. The ruling emphasized evidence suggesting that Combs might attempt to obstruct justice by hiding communications with people he was barred from contacting.
In particular, the court highlighted serious concerns over witness tampering, noting that Combs had previously tried to delete or obscure messages with his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury. In addition, the court pointed to a 2016 video that allegedly showed Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel, as well as text messages in which she described injuries from the assault, such as a black eye and a fat lip.
The decision also referred to Combs’ alleged attempts to bypass prison communications monitoring. He allegedly paid inmates to use their phone access codes, and his legal team and family are accused of using three-way calls to evade surveillance. Prosecutors also argued that Combs used unauthorized messaging apps to communicate with witnesses and exert pressure on his family to send public messages aimed at influencing potential jurors.
Combs’ legal team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, disputes the charges, especially those related to sex trafficking. They argue the accusations are based on a toxic and sometimes violent personal relationship with Ventura, and they accuse prosecutors of improperly seizing privileged materials from Combs’ jail cell. However, the court ordered the deletion of certain images taken from his notes.
Federal authorities have accused Combs of leading a criminal enterprise involving the trafficking and assault of women through his businesses since 2008, including the notorious “Freak Offs,” where women were allegedly coerced into engaging in extended sexual acts. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his trial is set for May 2025.
The ongoing legal battle is drawing significant attention, as it involves serious accusations of abuse, witness tampering, and organized criminal behavior.
