Federal prosecutors say Sean “Diddy” Combs may be behind bars, but he is actively working to cast doubt on the criminal sex trafficking charges he faces.
In an overnight memo, prosecutors gave reasons for denying Combs’ latest bail request, saying the defendant “poses serious risks and obstruction” to his criminal traffic case.
“Defendant has, among other things, organized social media campaigns aimed, in his words, at tainting the jury; made efforts to publicly leak material he considers helpful to his case; and contacted witnesses through third parties.
The file also cites notes taken from Combs’ cell during the guards’ raid. The content has been redacted, but it gave a “strong inference” that Combs paid at least one anonymous witness who posted a statement on Instagram.
Combs was also accused of using the phone accounts of at least eight other inmates at his MDC-Brooklyn detention facility. This was done “apparently to avoid police scrutiny” and to make phone calls to people not on their approved contact list.
“To obtain or maintain access to information about other prisoners [phone access code] “By numbers, Defendant directs others to pay inmate salaries, including through payment processing requests and deposits into BOP compound accounts,” the filing says.
Prosecutors said the “near-total restrictions” Combs offered in exchange for bail were “wholly inadequate” to prevent him from tainting his upcoming trial.
Prosecutors said: “Defendant is a violent serial abuser who uses his vast wealth and position in the entertainment industry to hide his illegal behavior and prevent victims and witnesses of his abuse from coming forward.”
A hearing on the filing was scheduled for Friday. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to extort, sex trafficking and prostitution.
A source