New York, NY – Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in jail as he prepares to go to trial, as a federal judge has rejected his request for a $50 million bail package.
During the bail hearing last week, U.S District Judge Arun Subramanian expressed concerns about the safety of the community if Combs were to be released. The judge highlighted Combs’ alleged history of violence, including the use of firearms, kidnapping, and arson to intimidate victims and witnesses with the assistance of his extensive business empire. The court’s decision was further postponed in order to gather additional information on Combs’ communications while in prison.
The ruling emphasized that there is significant evidence supporting the risk of witness tampering by Combs. This includes a 2016 video showing Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and text messages indicating the severity of her injuries following the incident.
Despite Combs’ claims that the evidence does not support a charge of sex trafficking, the court reiterated its concerns about his violent tendencies and potential for manipulating witnesses. Phone records confirmed Combs’ communication with Ventura, a grand jury witness, and his attempts to conceal these conversations by deleting messages. The court also noted Combs’ disregard for prison regulations, such as paying other inmates to use their phone access codes to contact individuals he was prohibited from communicating with.
Prosecutors have accused Combs of leading a criminal enterprise that involved assault and trafficking of women through his businesses since at least 2008. He has denied all charges and is set to stand trial on May 5, 2025. His defense team has raised concerns about the handling of attorney-client privileged material seized from his jail cell by prosecutors.
Overall, the court’s decision to deny bail reinforces the serious nature of the allegations against Combs and the potential risks associated with his release before trial.