Prosecutors have alleged that Sean 'Diddy' Combs, currently in jail awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges, has been attempting to reach out to potential witnesses and influence public opinion in a bid to affect potential jurors. The accusations were made in a court filing opposing Combs' latest $50 million bail proposal.
The government claims that recorded jail calls made by Combs show that he has asked family members to contact potential victims and witnesses, urging them to create 'narratives' to influence the jury pool. Additionally, he has allegedly encouraged marketing strategies to sway public opinion in his favor.
Prosecutors argue that Combs has repeatedly flouted rules even while in custody, demonstrating that he cannot be trusted to abide by conditions. They suggest that his actions indicate a desire to blackmail victims and witnesses into silence or to provide testimony favorable to his defense.
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of coercing and abusing women with the aid of associates, has been denied bail twice before due to concerns about community safety and flight risk. His lawyers recently made a third bail request, citing changed circumstances and new evidence.
However, prosecutors contend that the defense's latest bail proposal was based on evidence already known to them and argue that Combs' behavior in jail underscores the need for him to remain detained. They claim that he has engaged in efforts to influence potential jurors, including planning a social media campaign around his birthday with the intention of impacting the jury in his criminal proceeding.
Furthermore, the government alleges that Combs has sought to anonymously publish information to aid his defense and has made relentless efforts to contact potential witnesses, including victims of his abuse who could provide damaging testimony against him.
The upcoming bail hearing will determine whether Combs will be released before his trial scheduled for May 5.
