By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. prosecutors dismissed Sean “Diddy” Combs’ allegation that government agents leaked evidence to undermine his defense against criminal sex trafficking charges, saying the music mogul will list the names of his accusers. Not worth it.
In a motion filed Wednesday night in federal court in Manhattan, prosecutors said Combs was “grasping at straws” by alleging that he was the victim of leaks, including a 2016 hotel surveillance video in which he Former girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, known as Cassie, was physically attacked.
Prosecutors said Combs could not show that any information was leaked to the grand jury investigating him, adding that Combs knew it was “highly likely” the video came from somewhere else.
He called her demand to name his accusers a “proxy for hijacking the government’s case and helping him publicly defend her against more than two dozen men and women facing civil lawsuits over their alleged sexual misconduct.” ” Said the attempt.
“This unreasonable request must be rejected in its entirety, particularly here, where there are serious and ongoing concerns of victim and witness safety, tampering and intimidation,” prosecutors said.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, transportation for involvement in sex trafficking and prostitution, and has denied wrongdoing in the civil cases.
Prosecutors said that as his criminal trial on May 5, 2025 approaches, they will receive a significant amount of evidence, including a list of witnesses.
An attorney for Combs declined to comment Thursday.
Combs’ legal team has argued that the Bad Boy record label founder should not have to play a “guessing game” to defend against “baseless” claims in civil lawsuits by his accusers, many of whom use pseudonyms. Who are looking for a big payout.
In Wednesday’s filing, prosecutors also said Combs’ request for a gag order against witnesses and attorneys was moot.
He cited US District Judge Arun Subramanian’s October 25 order, demanding both parties to comply with local court rules.
Combs’ effort to expose his accusers got a boost on Wednesday when U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Viscocil in Manhattan ruled that the woman suing Combs over an alleged 2004 rape cannot remain anonymous.
Viscocil cited Combs’ interest in investigating the woman’s credibility and public interest in open court proceedings.
Other judges may choose to apply his reasoning, which applies the federal rule governing civil cases.
Combs was arrested on September 16, and is appealing a prison sentence of more than six weeks at the Metropolitan Detention Center in troubled Brooklyn, where two detainees were stabbed to death this year. He turned 55 on Monday.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without any modifications to the text.
