A federal judge denied Sean “Diddy” Combs bail for the third time Wednesday as the hip-hop mogul awaits his May sex trafficking trial, citing evidence of witness tampering and jail regulation violations.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian rejected the proposed $50 million bail package in a written ruling following last week’s hearing, where Combs’ lawyers argued the substantial sum would prevent him from fleeing or intimidating potential trial witnesses. Two other judges had previously sided with prosecutors who deemed the Bad Boy Records founder a threat to the community.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he coerced and abused women for years through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson, and physical beatings. Prosecutors claim that even from his Brooklyn federal lockup, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns to influence prospective jurors and attempted to leak materials he believes support his case, while contacting potential witnesses through third parties.
Last month, a federal appeals court judge denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan reviews his bail request. Prosecutors maintain no bail conditions would adequately protect the public or prevent the “I’ll Be Missing You” singer from fleeing.
Combs’ lawyers contend the alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment involved consensual relations between adults, and say new evidence refutes claims that Combs used his “power and prestige” to orchestrate drugged sexual performances with male sex workers, known as “Freak Offs.”
