Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs offered $50 million bail, gag order denied

Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges, has been denied bail three times since his arrest; several judges raised the risk that he could tamper with witnesses

NEW YORK, USA – Sean “Diddy” Combs proposed a new $50 million bail package backed by his Florida estate on Friday, November 8; The music mogul is hoping to be released from the Brooklyn jail where he has been held for eight weeks. criminal sex trafficking charges.

Combs has been denied bail three times since his arrest; Several judges cited the risk that he could tamper with witnesses. The rapper and producer pleaded not guilty on Sept. 17 to accusations that he used his business empire, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport women and male sex workers across state lines and engage in recorded sexual performances called “Freak Offs.”

In another development Friday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing the criminal case, denied Combs’ request for a gag order, which prohibits his accusers from speaking publicly about the matter. His lawyers had argued that nearly 30 civil lawsuits accusing Combs of misconduct or harassment interfered with his right to a fair trial.

Combs, 55, has denied wrongdoing and his lawyers have argued that the sexual activity prosecutors described was consensual.

In a filing Friday, defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro asked Subramanian to release Combs on $50 million bond, backed by his $48 million Miami home and to be co-signed by several of his family members.

Shapiro also recommended that Combs be monitored around the clock by security personnel, kept under home detention, and have no contact with any alleged victims or witnesses. His hearing will be held on May 5.

Shapiro, who requested bail, said the new evidence undermined part of the prosecution’s rationale for detaining Combs. He said the evidence shed new light on a 2016 hotel security video that showed him physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie.

“The video is not evidence of a forced ‘frenzy,’ but rather a few-minute glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship,” Shapiro wrote.

Shapiro also said it would be impossible for Combs to prepare for his trial behind bars, especially without a laptop, due to the “incredibly voluminous” amount of material to review. He also said his preparations were hampered by conditions in prison, including frequent quarantine and officers even taking away pens he used to take notes.

Shapiro said the detention removed Combs “any real opportunity” to be present for trial and violated his rights under the U.S. Constitution. –Rappler.com