Attorneys for music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs have filed a new motion requesting his release on bail, arguing that recent evidence should allow him to be freed ahead of his trial. Combs, who has been denied bail twice by federal judges, remains incarcerated after being indicted on multiple serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
In the motion, filed on November 8 and obtained by PEOPLE, Combs’ legal team contends that the prosecution’s case is “thin” and that new evidence should allow for bail. The defense specifically points to a March 2016 video referenced in the initial indictment, which allegedly shows Combs assaulting a woman in a Los Angeles hotel. However, the defense argues that the footage does not support the claims of coercion, as suggested by prosecutors.
“The video is not evidence of a coerced ‘freak off,’ but rather a minutes-long glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship between Mr. Combs and Victim 1,” the filing states. The video, which had initially been presented as key evidence in the case, has now become a focal point in the defense’s strategy to secure Combs’ release.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, was indicted in September on charges related to his alleged involvement in orchestrating “freak offs,” a term used in the indictment to describe sex performances in which women were allegedly forced or coerced into engaging with male sex workers. The indictment accuses Combs of facilitating these events as part of a wider pattern of exploitation.
The motion for bail follows the two previous denials, which were based on concerns about potential witness tampering. In one instance, Combs’ legal team proposed a $50 million bail package, but both federal judges overseeing the case expressed concerns that Combs’ significant influence could jeopardize the integrity of the case. In response, his lawyers now present a new, revised proposal for bail that they believe is more comprehensive and addresses the court’s previous concerns.
In the latest motion, Combs’ attorneys offer a plan they say is “far more robust” than their initial bail proposal. They are now requesting home detention for the music mogul, with around-the-clock security monitoring. Under the proposed conditions, Combs would face “near-total restrictions” on his ability to contact anyone other than his legal team, ensuring that no witness tampering could occur.
Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, which his attorneys have described as “not fit for pre-trial detention.” In their motion, they argue that MDC is an inadequate facility for someone of Combs’ stature and that his continued incarceration there is not only detrimental to his well-being but also undermines the principle of fair pre-trial treatment.
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As of now, Combs faces multiple felony charges, including allegations of sex trafficking and organizing prostitution-related activities. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The charges are based on claims that Combs created a system of coercion involving women who were allegedly made to participate in the so-called “freak offs” with male sex workers.
The case against Combs has drawn significant attention, partly due to his high-profile career and immense influence in the entertainment industry. As one of the most successful producers, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures of his generation, Combs is a polarizing figure, with many eager to see how the legal proceedings unfold.
While the defense has been outspoken in its assertion that Combs is not guilty of the charges, the prosecution is expected to continue building its case in the months ahead. The trial is scheduled to begin in May 2025, but with new developments and motions being filed, it is likely that the legal battle will continue for some time.
In the meantime, Combs remains behind bars, and his legal team continues to push for his release. They argue that the conditions for his release are more than sufficient to address any concerns raised by the court, and they remain hopeful that the judge will grant bail ahead of the trial.
