Diddy’s legal team has lost a member as one of the lawyers has quit the music producer’s criminal sex trafficking case ahead of the trial.
One of his attorneys, Anthony Ricco, stepped down from the case and has provided a cryptic motion statement.
In the statement, filed by Ricco to withdraw as one of Diddy’s six defense attorneys, it stated:
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“Under no circumstances can I continue.” Ricco went on to tell the court in New York on Friday:
“Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs.
There are sufficient reasons (related to the protections afforded by the attorney/client privilege) for brevity in my application for withdrawal as counsel in this case.”
He also said his decision to leave would not delay Diddy’s case, and the trial can move forward in May as scheduled.
He added that he had discussions with Combs’ lead counsel Marc Agnifilo before filing the motion.
The judge will sign off on the decision if they find sufficient reason to approve it.
Diddy has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center after being arrested in September of 2024.
After his arrest, prosecutors accused him of being involved in a “criminal organization” responsible for kidnapping and drug-related crimes dating back to 2008.
The indictment was, however, amended, stating that the alleged crimes began in 2004.
The amended indictment also expands the list of drugs Diddy and his associates allegedly distributed.
Also, he is being accused of trying to encourage women to have sex by giving them drugs like ketamine and ecstasy.
Prosecutors have also claimed the music mogul held alleged “freak off” parties, where he allegedly “used force, threats of force, and coercion to cause victims to engage in extended sex acts.”.
Before his arrest in September last year, investigators raided Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles homes, where prosecutors allege they discovered “1,000 bottles” of baby oil and lubricant purportedly used at the “freak offs.”
