Sean “Diddy” Combs remains in legal limbo as Judge Arun Subramanian has yet to make a final determination regarding the music mogul’s bail status.
Held at the MDC jail in Brooklyn since September, Combs faces serious charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and obstruction under the RICO Act.
The high-profile case continues to generate heated debate, with both prosecutors and defense attorneys clashing over evidence and alleged misconduct.
During a hearing on Friday (November 22), Judge Subramanian issued a critical directive to both legal teams, signaling the complexity of the case.
“I suggest both parties put in letters by Monday at noon, about what type of communications Mr. Combs may engage in. Monday at noon,” the judge stated.
This directive came amid fierce arguments over Combs’ alleged behavior while in custody.
Prosecutors claimed the mogul misused inmate phone access, relied on unauthorized messaging services to contact outside parties, and even involved his children in a “social media campaign” tied to his recent birthday.
These actions, they argued, further demonstrated his willingness to obstruct justice.
Combs’ legal team, however, mounted a robust defense, pushing back on accusations of witness tampering and obstruction.
They also challenged the government’s presentation of an 8-year-old video purportedly showing Combs assaulting Cassie at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, alleging that the footage was heavily edited to misrepresent events.
“The video was materially altered to show a sequence of events out of order,” claimed Combs’ attorney, Alexandra A.E. Shapiro.
Further, Combs’ lawyers argued that his alleged communications were legitimate efforts to prepare for his defense.
According to Marc Agnifilo, one of Diddy’s attorneys, “Some of these recordings show that he’s telling people, just tell the truth, talk with my lawyer.”
Prosecutors doubled down on their accusations, pointing to what they called a pattern of obstruction that extended into 2024.
They argued that unlike Michael Jeffries, the former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO released on bond despite similar sex trafficking charges, Combs has a decades-long criminal history and remains an active threat to the judicial process.
“The defendant has admitted to and apologized for incidents in question,” the prosecution asserted, referencing evidence of coercion and trafficking tied to the case.
They also raised concerns about Diddy’s proposed $50 million bail package, which included house arrest at his Florida residence with a security team.
“The security team essentially works for him,” prosecutors argued. “This would be the defendant buying his way out.”
As the clock ticks toward Monday’s deadline, both sides face significant pressure to refine their arguments and address the judge’s concerns about permissible communications.
Meanwhile, Combs continues to prepare for his May 2025 trial, where he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.