Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Denied Bail for Third Time in Sex Trafficking Case
Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail for a third time on Wednesday as he awaits trial in New York on charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution.
The decision, delivered by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, cited concerns over public safety and the potential for interference with the judicial process. Prosecutors have accused Combs of operating a criminal enterprise involving forced labor, kidnapping, and intimidation.
Judge Subramanian determined that no release conditions could adequately prevent further misconduct, following allegations that Combs misused jail communication tools to influence witnesses and sway public opinion.
Court filings suggest that Combs used an inmate messaging platform, ContactMeASAP, to send numerous messages to individuals not on his approved contact list. Prosecutors also claim he coordinated social media campaigns, including a video featuring his children, to garner public sympathy.
Combs’s defense team has denied these allegations, arguing that his detention hampers their ability to prepare for his trial, scheduled for May 2025. They have also challenged the legality of a recent search of his jail cell, during which prosecutors seized handwritten notes allegedly showing evidence of obstruction.
While Judge Subramanian ordered the destruction of the seized materials on grounds of attorney-client privilege, prosecutors argued that the privilege was void due to Combs’s alleged tampering efforts.
The case has drawn additional attention due to over two dozen civil lawsuits accusing Combs of abuse, coercion, and threats, some involving underage victims. Attorney Lisa Bloom, representing one of the accusers, alleges that Combs has attempted to influence witnesses from jail.
“He didn’t act alone,” Bloom said, hinting that others in Combs’s circle could also face charges. “Those who conspire with predators must also face justice.”
Combs’s legal team previously proposed a $50 million bail package, including house arrest and stringent restrictions, but the court rejected the offer. Despite selling properties in Los Angeles and Miami to support his defense, his repeated attempts at release have failed.
As prosecutors continue their investigation, leaving open the possibility of additional charges or defendants, Combs remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The music icon maintains his innocence in the face of mounting legal battles.
