By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-01 07:20:46 | Updated at 2024-10-01 09:33:20
2 hours ago
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is appealing a federal judge's decision to keep him in jail pending his trial, and has enlisted the help of two high-powered attorneys.
The disgraced hip hop mogul, 54, is making a third attempt at bail, after two previous denials - two weeks after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges.
He has added renowned attorneys Anthony Ricco and Alexandra Shapiro to his legal team, which already included seasoned lawyer Marc Agnifilo - a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney.
The hip-hop mogul's lawyers filed a notice of appeal on Monday in the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals.
'Today, a notice of appeal was filed in the second circuit regarding Mr. Combs' detention. This is a standard notice to the court and the actual appeal brief will be filed soon,' a source close to Diddy revealed.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 54, is appealing a federal judge's decision to keep him in jail pending his trial, and has enlisted the help of two high-powered attorneys; seen in March
'Sean Combs is building his dream legal defense team, adding Anthony Ricco and Alexandra Shapiro to the trial team,' the insider shared.
'Tony is one of the finest trial lawyers in the country. Alexandra is hands-down the best appellate lawyer practicing today.'
Shapiro — co-founder of Shapiro Arato Bach LLP — began her career over 30 years ago 'as one of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s first clerks on the Supreme Court' according to her biography.
'She has successfully represented prominent Wall Street professionals, public officials, as well as major public and private companies.'
Ricco, a graduate of the Northeastern University School of Law, has represented 14 clients in federal death prosecutions.
Marc has been lead trial counsel for the Agnifilo Intrater Law Firm for the past several years.
He's previously served as a supervisor at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Manhattan Assistant District Attorney.
He was also the attorney for NXIVM founder Keith Raniere's sex trafficking and racketeering case.
The disgraced hip hop mogul is making a third attempt at bail after two previous denials - two weeks after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges; seen in a courtroom sketch
He has added renowned attorneys Alexandra Shapiro (L) and Anthony Ricco (R) to his legal team. Alexandra is one of the top appellate lawyers in the field, while Tony's reputation as a trial lawyer is well-established
Diddy is also represented by Marc Agnifilo; Marc pictured leaving a Federal Court building in New York City on September 17th, after Diddy was denied bail
Diddy was arrested and charged on September 16 for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The charge, which details allegations dating back to 2008, accuses him of abusing, threatening and coercing women for years 'to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.'
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his arrest, he was denied bail by judge Andrew L. Carter, after he used both his and his mother's homes in Miami - worth $50 million - as collateral.
He then lost an appeal to overturn the decision, despite his bizarre promise to the judge, saying he will have no female visitors if he is released on bail.
Jude Carter stated that the government had proved 'by clear and convincing evidence that there is no condition or set of conditions' that will ensure he will not tamper with witnesses.
The rapper is currently being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City.
The star's legal team had previously asked for Combs to be released on $50 million bail and kept electronically monitored.
Following his arrest, he was denied bail, after he used both his and his mother's homes in Miami - worth $50 million - as collateral. He then lost an appeal to overturn the decision; seen in 2023
Prosecution argued Diddy has a long history of intimidating both accusers and witnesses to his alleged abuse, and cited security footage that showed Combs hitting his then-girlfriend, Cassie, in a hotel hallway; seen with Cassie in 2015
Under the bail request, visits would be limited to family or mothers of his children, property caretakers and friends who are not co-conspirators in the federal indictment, TMZ reported.
Logs of all visitors to his home would be handed over to the government nightly.
The restrictions are believed to be an attempt to address court concerns that he may contact or intimidate witnesses, as they also stipulate that he would have no contact with known grand jury witnesses and undergo weekly drug testing.
However, the prosecution argued that the rapper has a long history of intimidating both accusers and witnesses to his alleged abuse and cited security footage that showed Combs hitting his then-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, in a hotel hallway.
Prosecutors accuse the hip-hop mogul of inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes days-long sexual performances referred to as 'Freak Offs.'
In the indictment against Diddy it was claimed that federal raids on his Miami and Los Angeles mansions led to the discovery of over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.
His lawyer Agnifilo explained the alleged reason behind the '1,000 bottles' of baby oil and lubricant: 'I don't think it was 1,000. I think it was a lot. I mean, there is a Costco right down the street. I think Americans buy in bulk, as we know,' he told the New York Post.
Later, Costco chimed in and slammed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying they do not carry baby oil in any of their U.S. retail locations.
Diddy's associates would allegedly ply victims with drugs to keep them compliant and would make threats against anyone refusing to engage, in claims similar to those made in a civil lawsuit brought by Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie last year.
Diddy was arrested and charged on September 16 for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution
The rapper is currently being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City
These allegations were central to prosecutors bringing sex trafficking charges against the producer, with observers noting that authorities are increasingly expanding the law to suit their cases against powerful defendants.
Agnifolo previously said that the Bad Boy Records founder is 'eager' to testify.
'I don't know that I could keep him off the stand,' he said. 'I think he is very eager to tell his story. And I think he will tell every part of his story.'
If convicted, Diddy could spend the rest of his life behind bars. No trial date has been set.
