Kaylah Walton
Lawyers representing Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs petitioned a New York judge on Tuesday, seeking to require prosecutors to unveil the names of the individuals accusing him in a sex trafficking case.
In correspondence filed with a federal court in Manhattan, Combs’ legal team argued that understanding the identities of his alleged victims is crucial for him to prepare effectively for his upcoming trial.
Recently, a trial date of May 5 was established for Combs, who has entered a not guilty plea.
A representative for the prosecution declined to provide any comments.
At 54 years old, Combs is currently held in custody without bail following his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges on September 16. His attorneys have appealed to a federal court to allow his release into home confinement, facilitating better interaction with his legal team in preparation for his case.
So far, the courts have deemed him a risk to public safety, thus denying his release.
The request for disclosure of his accusers coincided with the filing of six new anonymous lawsuits against Combs aimed at concealing the identities of the alleged victims. The lawsuits mentioned two accusers as Jane Does and four men as John Does, claiming that Combs exploited his stardom and promises of enhancing their music careers to lure them into extravagant events where alleged assaults occurred.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuits filed on Monday are part of what their lawyers describe as a collective of over 100 accusers pursuing legal action against Combs.
In their message to Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs’ lawyers highlighted the distinctive nature of the case, largely attributed to the high number of accusers, which they linked to “his celebrity status, wealth, and the high-profile nature of a previously settled lawsuit.”
This reference pertains to a November lawsuit initiated by his former partner, Cassie (Casandra Ventura), which was settled just a day later. The claims regarding sexual and physical abuse have lingered in the public discourse.
The Associated Press generally refrains from naming individuals alleging sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly, which Ventura has done.
Combs’ legal representatives asserted that the settlement linked to Cassie’s lawsuit, compounded by “false inflammatory remarks” from federal agents and Combs’ celebrity status, have led to a wave of allegations from anonymous sources, some deemed outlandish.
They expressed that the recent lawsuits, along with various others, along with the “swirling allegations” have engineered a media frenzy that could strip Combs of a fair trial if unaddressed.
Lawyer’s Demands for Clarity
His lawyers asserted that the government should disclose the names of the alleged victims since Combs currently cannot ascertain which specific claims are being relied upon in the indictment.
“If Mr. Combs is compelled to defend against criminal charges that the government does not intend to prove at trial, he deserves to be informed,” the lawyers argued.
The indictment claims that Combs engaged in coercive behavior and abuse towards women over many years, supported by a network of associates and staff, employing tactics like blackmail and violent actions—including kidnapping, arson, and beatings—to silence the victims.
