Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs have accused the government of leaking a video of the hip-hop mogul beating his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, to the media. The surveillance video from a 2016 incident at a hotel was published exclusively by CNN. Combs’ lawyers filed a motion in the Southern District of New York, seeking to potentially bar the footage from the trial. Despite their claims, they did not provide evidence to support the allegation that the government leaked the video to CNN. The news network declined to comment on the matter.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently in federal custody as he awaits trial on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges. In addition to these criminal accusations, Combs is facing multiple civil lawsuits related to sexual misconduct and other illegal activities. The motion filed by his attorneys also suggests that authorities alerted the media about searches conducted at his homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March.
The motion filed by Combs’ legal team aims to address the potential impact of leaked information on his right to a fair trial. They have requested the judge to impose a gag order that would prohibit the government from providing information about the evidence in the case to the media. The attorneys argue that these leaks have tainted the jury pool and make it difficult for Combs to receive a fair trial. They specifically point to agents of the Department of Homeland Security, rather than prosecutors, as the source of the leaks.
According to Combs’ attorneys, prosecutors indicated that they did not obtain the hotel surveillance video through the grand jury process. The Department of Homeland Security agents reportedly did not possess the video until after CNN had already aired it. Initially, Combs denied the allegations of abusing Cassie Ventura, which she included in a lawsuit filed in November 2023 before the video became public. However, following the release of the video, Combs publicly apologized for his actions. In response to the situation, spokespeople for HSI New York and the US attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the matter.
The controversy surrounding the leaked video and other evidence in the case has raised concerns about the fairness of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ upcoming trial. His legal team is working to address these issues and protect his rights in court. The allegations of leaks from the Department of Homeland Security agents and the impact on the jury pool have prompted a request for a gag order. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will address these concerns and ensure a fair trial for all parties involved. The ongoing legal battles faced by Combs add another layer of complexity to his already challenging legal situation.
