Sean “Diddy” Combs, the prominent music mogul, has not only denied all sexual assault allegations, but he is also accused of violating prison regulations in an attempt to manipulate witness testimonies and influence the jury pool in his case.
Prison Violations and Witness Tampering Accusations
Federal prosecutors have accused Sean Combs of breaking prison rules to manipulate witness testimonies and undermine the integrity of potential jurors in his ongoing legal battle, according to a court document filed on Friday. Combs, 55, is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while facing charges of extortion, sex trafficking, and human trafficking for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and has been denied bail in his case.
Combs’ legal team is fighting the decision to keep him in federal custody and has requested a new bail hearing. However, prosecutors have filed an objection in the Southern District of New York, accusing Combs of obstructing justice even while incarcerated.
Efforts to Escape Oversight and Influence the Case
Court documents reveal that Combs is accused of continuing to evade law enforcement oversight and interfering with witness testimony. According to prosecutors, he instructed other prisoners to use their phone accounts to contact people outside his approved list, violating federal prison regulations. Recorded phone calls also reportedly reveal that Combs directed his family to contact victims and potential witnesses in his case, as well as promote stories on social media to sway the potential jury pool ahead of the trial set for May.
Social Media Campaign to Influence the Jury
The filing further explains that, under Combs’ direct orders, his children posted a video on their social media accounts of them celebrating his 55th birthday. In the video, they sing “Happy Birthday” to their father while speaking on the phone. Combs reportedly tracked the engagement of the post and discussed with his family how to ensure that the video would have the desired impact on the potential jury members.
The prosecution’s document also includes edited details from phone calls, revealing that Combs’ objective was to extort victims and witnesses into silence or to provide testimonies that would benefit his defense. The calls, allegedly between Combs and his eldest son, show a clear intent to manipulate the case.
Risk of Flight and Public Safety Concerns
Prosecutors argue that no conditions could be set to ensure Combs is not a flight risk or a danger to others. The filing states that his focus on 24/7 private security is problematic. “The defendant has demonstrated an unusual ability to control others, including staff, family members, and MDC inmates,” the document notes.
