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Federal prosecutors allege Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs obstructed justice behind bars

Federal prosecutors allege Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs obstructed justice behind bars

There are federal prosecutors He blamed Sean “Diddy” Combs He was accused of violating jail rules in an attempt to manipulate witness testimony and taint the potential jury pool in the case, according to a court document filed Friday.

Combs, 55, is currently in custody At the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center as she faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution. Music mogul pleaded not guilty and was arrested Bail denied in case.

His legal team is fighting the decision to keep Combs in federal custody and has requested a new bail hearing. Prosecutors objected to the motion in the Southern District of New York, charging Combs with obstruction even while sitting behind bars.

The filing alleged that Combs “continued to evade law enforcement custody, corruptly influence witness testimony, and further attack the integrity of these transactions.”

Sean "Diddy" Combs sketch. (Jane Rosenberg / Reuters)Sean "Diddy" Combs sketch. (Jane Rosenberg / Reuters)

Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York on September 17.

According to prosecutors, Combs ordered fellow inmates to be paid to use phone accounts and used three-way calling to contact people who were not on his approved contact list, in violation of federal prison regulations.

A review of the recorded calls found that Combs instructed his family to contact potential victims and witnesses in the case and also promoted narratives on social media to influence the potential jury pool at his trial next May.

“Upon the defendant’s carefully chosen instruction, the defendant’s children posted a video on their respective social media accounts showing the defendant’s children gathering to celebrate the defendant’s birthday,” the filing said.

NBC News previously reportedCombs’ children shared a video of themselves saying happy birthday to their father on the phone, along with several other outlets.

Combs then watched analytics of the post’s engagement and “openly discussed with his family how to ensure the video had the impact he wanted on potential jurors,” the filing said.

Including excerpts from phone calls made by Diddy and his “adult son,” which the prosecution said showed “the clear inference that the defendant’s intent was to blackmail victims and witnesses into remaining silent or providing helpful statements.” Some details from his files were removed. to his defence.”

Prosecutors wrote that there were “no conditions” that could be determined to ensure Combs did not pose a flight risk or threat to the safety of others.

The motion stated, “The defendant’s emphasis on 24/7 private security is also problematic.” “The defendant demonstrated an uncanny ability to ensure that employees, family members, and MDC inmates did his bidding.”

Combs’ representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the prosecution’s application to deny their client a new bail hearing.

Reviews of Combs first surfaced last year after his former romantic partner Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, files lawsuit She claimed Combs raped and beat her in fits of “uncontrollable rage” and “tightly controlled her life.”

The lawsuit also alleged that he forced her to engage in what she called “crazy” sexual acts with other men while he watched. The other men were often sex workers he paid to travel with them, according to the lawsuit.

Ventura settled with Combs a day after the lawsuit was made public, and Combs denied all allegations in the lawsuit. Although Combs generally denied the allegations, security camera footage emerged It showed Combs beating Cassie in the hotel hallway It’s similar to the incident described in Cassie’s trial in 2016.

Combs shared a post on Instagram video apologizing for attack has since been removedHe described it as one of the “darkest times” of his life, saying he took “full responsibility” for his actions.

But since Ventura went public with her accusations against Combs, the music producer and entrepreneur has taken a hit with a wave of legal cases accuses him of sexual abuse dozens of others. Combs has denied all allegations made against him.

The combs were: was indicted in SeptemberTheir properties were searched months later Homeland Security Investigations Agents in California, New York and Florida. The indictment alleged that Combs and his friends often lured women into their orbit “under the pretext of a romantic relationship.”

The indictment stated that once the women entered his world, Combs used force, threats and coercion, including drugs, to keep them “submissive and compliant” and encouraged them to participate in the sprees.

This article was first published on: NBCNews.com