The disgraced rapper is in trouble again. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been charged with attempting to “influence a potential jury.”
The new charges come after the disgraced star applied for bail again on November 8.
Diddy attempted to reach potential witnesses and influence public opinion from prison in an attempt to influence potential jurors for his upcoming sex trafficking trial, prosecutors statement in court filings urging the judge to deny his latest request for bail, The Guardian reported on Sunday.
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The government’s allegations were made late Friday in a filing in Manhattan federal court opposing the music mogul’s latest $50 million bail proposal. A bail hearing is scheduled for next week.
Prosecutors wrote that a review of recorded jail calls made by Combs showed he asked family members to reach out to potential victims and witnesses, and urged they create “narratives” to influence the jury pool. They say he also encouraged marketing strategies to influence public opinion.
“The defendant demonstrated repeatedly – even while in custody – that he would blatantly and repeatedly disregard regulations in order to improperly influence the outcome of his case. In other words, the defendant has shown that he cannot be trusted to comply with the rules or conditions,” prosecutors wrote in a submission containing the transcripts.
Prosecutors wrote that it could be inferred from his behavior that Combs wanted to blackmail victims and witnesses to force him to stay silent or provide testimony helpful to his defense.
Combs’ attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prosecutors said Combs, 55, began violating the rules almost as soon as he was detained at the Metropolitan detention center in Brooklyn following his September arrest.
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He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women over many years with the aid of a network of associates and employees, and silenced victims through blackmail and violence. force, including kidnapping, arson, and physical beatings.
Two judges concluded he was a danger to the community and a flight risk.
His lawyers recently made a third bail request after being rejected twice previously, including a $50 million bail proposal.
In their request, they cited changed circumstances, including new evidence, which they said justified Combs’ release so he could better prepare for his May 5 trial.
But prosecutors said defense attorneys made their latest bail proposal using evidence that prosecutors had turned over to them and that material was known to defense attorneys. when they applied for bail earlier.
In their filing, prosecutors said Combs’ behavior in jail indicates he should continue to be detained.
For example, they said, Combs enlisted family members to plan and execute a social media campaign on his birthday “with the intent of influencing potential jurors in this criminal proceeding”.
They said Combs encouraged his children to post a video to their social media accounts showing them gathering to celebrate his birthday.
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He then monitors analytics, including audience participation, from within the prison and “clearly discusses with the family how to ensure that the video has the desired effect on the members potential jury in this case,” they said.
The government also alleges Combs in other calls made clear his intention to anonymously release information that he believed would help his defense against the charges.
“Defendants’ efforts to obstruct the integrity of this proceeding also included ongoing efforts to contact potential witnesses, including victims of rape,” prosecutors wrote. he abused, those who could give strong testimony against him.”