Diddy Denied $77M Bail Over Concerns About Violence and Witness Tampering

Sean “Diddy” Combs, the 55-year-old music mogul, was denied his $77 million bail request on Wednesday, marking the third rejection since his arrest on sex-trafficking charges. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ruled against the request, citing concerns over Combs’s potential for violence and allegations of witness tampering while in custody.

The judge pointed to evidence presented by prosecutors that Combs had violated jail policies, including using other inmates’ identification numbers to make unmonitored calls.

“Given the nature of the allegations in this case and the information provided by the government, the court doubts the sufficiency of any conditions that place trust in Combs and individuals in his employ—like a private security detail—to follow those conditions,” Judge Subramanian wrote.

He also noted “compelling evidence of Combs’s propensity for violence.”

Serious Allegations and Evidence

Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of using his business empire, including Bad Boy Entertainment, to organize sex-trafficking operations. Prosecutors allege these included events referred to as “freak offs,” involving women and male sex workers transported across state lines.

Prosecutor Christine Slavik presented surveillance footage from a 2016 hotel incident in which Combs was seen assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, known as Cassie. The video was submitted as evidence of Combs’s violent tendencies.

Combs’s legal team has maintained his innocence, asserting that all sexual activity described in the charges was consensual. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, acknowledged the 2016 incident but argued it was unrelated to the current charges.

“This was a toxic, loving 11-year relationship,” Agnifilo said, adding that there is “zero percent chance” of Diddy acting violently if released.

Combs’s lawyers proposed that he be placed under home confinement in a Manhattan apartment, monitored by private security and subject to strict conditions prohibiting contact with witnesses or alleged victims.

Despite these assurances, the court found the risks too significant, particularly given the accusations of jailhouse misconduct and the severity of the charges.

Prosecutors argued that Combs’s actions in custody, including the use of prohibited communications, highlighted the danger of witness tampering if he were released.

If convicted, Diddy could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. His trial is set to begin on May 5, 2025. The case has drawn significant public attention, with multiple lawsuits recently filed against Combs, including one alleging the sexual assault of a minor.

Combs continues to deny all allegations, asserting his innocence and claiming the charges are based on consensual activities. However, the court’s repeated denials of bail reflect the seriousness of the case and the concerns surrounding his behavior while awaiting trial.