Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorneys ask judge to publicly identify his accusers
Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs filed a motion Tuesday requesting that his accusers in a federal sex trafficking case be publicly identified so he can prepare a proper defense.
Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs filed a motion Tuesday requesting that his accusers in a federal sex trafficking case be publicly identified so he can prepare a proper defense.
The motion requests that U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian of the Southern District of New York identify Combs' accusers because, his lawyers argue, the torrent of anonymous allegations are damaging his reputation, leading to a “media circus" and depriving him of a fair trial.
Identifying anonymous accusers would allow Combs to adequately prepare for his trial, prevent any surprises and protect him from double jeopardy should he be prosecuted again for the same offense, according to the filing from Combs’ team of lawyers.
Sean "Diddy" Combs and his defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo stand before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky after prosecutors brought three criminal charges against him in federal court in New York City on Sept. 17.Jane Rosenberg / Reuters file“His case is unique, in part because of the number of individuals levying allegations against Mr. Combs due to his celebrity status, wealth, and the publicity of his previously settled lawsuit,” the motion reads.
It also alleges grand jury leaks and false inflammatory statements by Department of Homeland Security agents tied to the release of security video showing Combs beating his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. (Combs apologized for the incident, saying that it was a one-off instance and that he had sought therapy and had changed, and he settled a lawsuit in which Ventura had accused him of rape and physical abuse.)
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