Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious legal challenges as his attorneys allege that government officials leaked incriminating footage of a physical altercation between him and his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The attorneys claim this leak was intended to damage Combs’ reputation amidst his ongoing legal battles.
Combs, 54, was arrested on September 16 at 8:25 p.m. and is currently being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. He faces charges related to sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
The allegations surrounding Combs intensified following the release of hotel surveillance footage by CNN that showed him attacking Ventura in 2016. The footage depicts Combs grabbing Ventura by the neck, throwing her to the ground, kicking her, and dragging her down a hallway.
In court documents obtained by What’s Trending on October 9, Combs’ legal team accused the government of deliberately leaking this footage to compromise his reputation. They urged the Southern District of New York to investigate what they described as government misconduct, specifically regarding unlawful leaks that resulted in damaging pre-trial publicity.
According to Combs’ attorneys, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for these leaks, which they claim have significantly harmed his right to a fair trial. The legal team alleges that DHS has conducted a seven-month smear campaign against Combs, undermining his legal standing by leaking confidential grand jury materials.
“The leaks have resulted in damaging and highly prejudicial media coverage, particularly sensationalizing the investigation and involving Mr. Combs’ family,” the attorneys stated in their filing.
In conjunction with their hearing request, Combs’ lawyers are seeking access to emails, documents, and records related to the leaks from the government, particularly the DHS. They have also requested a gag order to prevent government personnel from sharing any case-related material with the media.
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Moreover, the defense team is asking for the evidence allegedly leaked by the government to be kept confidential, asserting that this violates the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and other laws.
Combs’ attorneys argue that the government’s actions have obstructed his right to a fair trial, citing false statements made by DHS to the press. They referenced the March 2024 raids executed on Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami by Homeland Security Investigations agents, during which his sons, Christian Combs, 26, and Justin Combs, 30, were reportedly handcuffed and mistreated.
The footage from 2016 has been described by Combs’ legal team as the “most egregious example” of the alleged leaks. They clarified that they do not believe the U.S. Attorney’s Office leaked any information but instead contend that the DHS is responsible for orchestrating these false media narratives.
“The abuse is clear,” the attorneys asserted, emphasizing that without a hearing, the full extent of the alleged misconduct may remain undisclosed.
After the emergence of the 2016 footage, Combs posted a since-deleted apology video on Instagram, acknowledging his past behavior. “I was f—ed up. I mean I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions,” he stated.
Ventura has also expressed her thoughts on the matter, using Instagram to address the issue of domestic violence. “Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from the past,” she wrote, emphasizing the importance of support in her healing journey.
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A status meeting regarding Combs’ attorneys’ requests is scheduled for October 10.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are confidential and toll-free, available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
