Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs have requested that the identities of his accusers be revealed.
On Tuesday, Diddy’s legal team asked a New York judge to compel prosecutors to disclose the names of the individuals accusing him in his sex trafficking case, according to an AP report. In a letter to a Manhattan federal court judge, the attorneys argued that Combs needs to know the identities of the alleged victims to adequately prepare for trial.
Diddy’s trial is set for May 5, 2025, following a court appearance last week. The rapper, 54, has pleaded not guilty. A spokesperson for the prosecution was not ready to make any comment.
Combs remains incarcerated without bail after his September 16 federal sex trafficking arrest. His lawyers have requested that a federal appeals court allow him to be released to home detention, citing the need for easier access to his legal team to prepare for trial. However, judges have so far determined that he poses a danger to the community and have denied bail.
The request to reveal the accusers’ identities comes a day after six new lawsuits were filed anonymously against Combs to protect the alleged victims. Two accusers were identified as Jane Does, while four men were listed as John Does. These lawsuits claim that Combs used his fame and promises of advancing their music industry careers to lure victims to lavish parties or drug-fueled gatherings, where he allegedly assaulted them.
The plaintiffs in these lawsuits are part of what their lawyers describe as a group of over 100 accusers preparing to take legal action against Combs.
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In their letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs’ lawyers stated that the case is unique, partly due to the number of accusers, which they attribute to his “celebrity status, wealth, and the publicity surrounding his previously settled lawsuit.”
This statement seemingly references a November lawsuit filed by Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura. That lawsuit, which contained allegations of sexual and physical abuse, was settled the next day but continues to shadow Combs.
The attorneys argued that the settlement of Cassie’s lawsuit, combined with “false inflammatory statements” from federal agents and Combs’ fame, has caused a “ripple effect,” resulting in a flood of allegations from unidentified accusers, ranging from “false to outright absurd.”
They claimed that these swirling allegations, and the media frenzy they have caused, could prevent the ‘Last Night’ rapper from receiving a fair trial.
The lawyers insisted that the government must identify the alleged victims, as the defendant has no way of knowing which accusations prosecutors are basing their case on.
The indictment against Diddy alleges that he coerced and abused women for years with the help of associates and employees, using blackmail, violence, kidnapping, arson, and physical assaults to silence his victims.
