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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attempts to obstruct justice from prison, prosecutors say
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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attempts to obstruct justice from prison, prosecutors say

Sean “Diddy” Combs attempted to contact potential witnesses and influence public opinion from prison in an attempt to influence potential jurors in his upcoming sex trafficking trial, prosecutors alleged in a court filing urging a judge to reject his latest request for bail.

The government’s charges were filed Friday evening in Manhattan federal court, which opposes 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 shows that he asked his family members to contact potential victims and witnesses and urged them to create “narratives” to influence the jury. They say he also encouraged marketing strategies to influence public opinion.

“The defendant has repeatedly shown – even while in custody – that he will blatantly and repeatedly flout the rules in order to improperly influence the outcome of his case. The defendant has shown, in other words, that he cannot be trusted to follow any rules or conditions,” prosecutors wrote in a brief containing redactions.

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Prosecutors wrote that it could be inferred from his behavior that Combs wants to blackmail victims and witnesses into silence or into providing testimony useful to his defense.

Combs’ lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Prosecutors said Combs, 55, began breaking the rules almost as soon as he was detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following his September arrest.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with the help of a network of associates and employees, while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnappings, arson and physical beatings.

Two judges found he was a danger to the community and a flight risk.

His lawyers recently filed a third request for bail after two previous attempts, including a proposed $50 million bail, were rejected.

In the request, they cited a change in circumstances, including new evidence, that they said made it reasonable for Combs to be released so he could better prepare for his May 5 trial.

But prosecutors said defense attorneys created their latest bail proposal using some evidence prosecutors gave them and that the new material was already known to defense attorneys in their previous bail requests. on bail.

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In their submissions to a judge, prosecutors said Combs’ behavior in prison showed he should remain locked up.

For example, they said, Combs asked family members to plan and run a social media campaign on his birthday “in an effort to influence the potential jury in this criminal proceeding.” .

He encouraged his children to post a video on their social media accounts showing them gathered together to celebrate his birthday, they said.

Afterward, he monitored the analytics, including public engagement, from prison and “explicitly discussed with his family how to ensure the video had the desired effect on potential jury members in this case,” they said.

The government also alleged that Combs, in other calls, made clear his intention to anonymously release information that he believed could help his defense against the charges.

“Defendant’s efforts to undermine the integrity of these proceedings also include relentless efforts to contact potential witnesses, including victims of his abuse who could provide powerful testimony against him,” prosecutors wrote.