Sean "Diddy" Combs appeared before a judge in Manhattan federal court Thursday for a pretrial hearing in the music mogul's racketeering and sex trafficking case.
Sean "Diddy" Combs appeared in Manhattan federal court Thursday afternoon for a pretrial hearing expected to establish key deadlines in the music mogul's racketeering and sex trafficking case.
The embattled hip-hop impresario grinned widely he greeted his defense team in court ahead of the hearing.
A trial date hasn't been decided yet, but Combs's lawyers said they're seeking one in April or May, according to a joint letter from attorneys filed Wednesday. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He could be imprisoned for life if found guilty.
Combs's court appearance was his first before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who took on the case last week after the previous judge, Andrew L. Carter Jr., stepped off the criminal case.
Skip to end of carousel
The Style section
Style is where The Washington Post explains what's happening on the front lines of culture -- including the arts, media, social trends, politics and yes, fashion -- with wit, personality and deep reporting. For more Style stories, click here. To subscribe to the Style Memo newsletter, click here.
End of carousel
In a Wednesday court filing, attorneys for Combs said they believe one or more Department of Homeland Security agents unlawfully leaked information and evidence to the media -- including a 2016 video obtained by CNN of Combs viciously beating Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel -- in an attempt to "savage Mr. Combs' reputation before trial."
The video, which was released in May and matched incidents Ventura described in her settled November 2023 lawsuit against Combs, prompted an apology video from the rap mogul and a statement from Ventura thanking supporters. Ventura's complaint was the first of 12 sexual assault lawsuits that have been filed against Combs in the past year. A team of lawyers recently announced that it would be filing 120 more beginning in the next month.
Defense lawyers also accused DHS of using excessive force during its raids of Combs's homes in California and Florida to "garner further press attention, sensationalize the case, and portray Mr. Combs as dangerous."
They believe one or more DHS agents, not the U.S. attorney's office, planned the leaks to "taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial," the defense team said in the filing, calling for a hearing to investigate the alleged misconduct and for the video to be suppressed. Prosecutors told the defense that the video wasn't obtained through grand jury process and that DHS did not have possession of the videotape before CNN's publication of it, according to the filing.
The music producer has remained in federal custody since his arrest and grand jury indictment last month. He was denied bail and unsuccessfully appealed the decision. His lawyers are trying once again for his pretrial release.
