Prior to this gag order attempt, Cassie’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, spoke on the case, although the statements Wigdor made were primarily about the video of Diddy assaulting his former partner. Wigdor stated, “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.” Furthermore, the renowned lawyer Lisa Bloom, who formerly represented Harvey Weinstein, has made appearances in two documentaries about the mogul and spoken out against Diddy’s allegations.

Diddy’s team claims unfair prep time as prosecutors accuse him of stalling

Despite the seriousness of Diddy’s charges, his legal team has been fiercely defending him. In a recent legal filing, the mogul requested to discard certain pieces of evidence from the jury. Court documents reveal that Diddy asserted his prosecutors were late when delivering evidence, leaving him and his attorneys feeling slightly underprepared for his defense.

In the court documents, Diddy’s lawyers said, “It is impossible for the defense to investigate and respond to those new allegations in the next two weeks.” They further alleged that the prosecution also “conceded” that “many” of the supposed sex crimes were “consensual.” Prosecutors quickly fired back, claiming that Diddy had months to review the evidence and that his recent legal filings are simply just attempts to delay the trial date.

Reports indicate that Ghislaine Maxwell’s lead prosecutor, Maurene Ryan Comey, will be a key player in the case against the mogul. Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, adds another layer of complexity to Diddy’s growing legal team. In a strategic move last October, Diddy strengthened his defense with the appointments of Alexandra Shapiro—unrelated to the renowned defense lawyer Robert Shapiro—and Anthony Ricco, who now join his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo.

People widely regard Shapiro as one of the nation’s top appellate attorneys, and Ricco has a long history of handling landmark cases, such as the World Trade Center bombing. Comey’s involvement in the prosecution follows Diddy’s third consecutive denial of bail.

Judge Cites Violence, Tampering Risks in Diddy’s Bail Ruling

Last month, Judge Arun Subramanian pointed to several factors in his decision, including Diddy’s violations of prison rules and false statements made to the court about evidence found during a cell search. The judge cautioned that Diddy’s release could potentially lead to witness tampering due to his contact with an escort involved in multiple illegal activities.

The court raised alarms about Diddy’s “propensity for violence,” referencing the disturbing 2016 incident with Cassie, which surfaced earlier this year through a leaked video. The concern played into the judge’s decision, as the footage depicted a brutal attack. In response, the mogul offered a $50 million bail package, pledging his Miami Beach estate as collateral. The terms included house arrest, around-the-clock security, and a strict no-contact order with alleged victims and witnesses.

Diddy’s trial is set to start on May 5 next year, although that timeline remains fluid. In addition to his criminal charges, Diddy is continuously facing an increasing number of civil lawsuits, one of which alleges that he threatened a woman by dangling her from a 17th-floor balcony.

Cassie’s alleged relationship with Jordan was brought up during cross-examination by Anna Estevao, Diddy’s lawyer, on Thursday. While on the stand, Estevao asked if Diddy “suspected” she had an affair after they broke up. At the time, Cassie and Diddy were filming Honey 3: Dare to Dance in South Africa.

“Mr. Combs suspected you of having a relationship with whom?” Estevao asked, to which Cassie responded, “Michael B. Jordan,” according to Inner City Press reporter Matthew Russell Lee’s trial transcripts.

According to Cassie, the romance with Jordan was sparked after she discovered that Diddy was allegedly with one of his on-off girlfriends. At the time, she was filming a movie in South Africa.

Cassie also testified that she ended communication with Diddy for some time and began dating the Sinners actor.

When asked how Diddy reacted to the relationship with Jordan, Cassie said, “I wasn’t there to see it.”

She also testified that she couldn’t remember if Diddy tried to text her about Jordan, but “he did try to make contact.”

In her civil lawsuit against Diddy, Cassie’s relationship with Jordan was first mentioned along with Kid Cudi. The suit alleged that Diddy threatened to blow up Cudi’s car in front of his friends.

Jordan’s name also came up during jury selection before the trial.

Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.

If found guilty, Diddy faces life in prison.

Recent court filings show that Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, was informed Friday evening that prosecutors had taken possession of materials from his client’s cell at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, despite their status as protected by attorney-client privilege. Agnifilo argues that among the items seized were handwritten notes from Diddy to his legal team, detailing defense strategies and witness preparations for his trial set for May.

Agnifilo further contends that federal authorities have acknowledged collecting these notes during the search, and he argues this action violates Diddy’s Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights.

Legal Team Demands Answers on Seized Materials

Diddy’s attorneys contend that notes from his cell were handed over to prosecutors, who they believe used the materials in a legal filing to extend his detention. In response, his legal team is seeking an expedited hearing to determine who authorized the search, what items were seized, who transferred them to the prosecution, why Diddy was kept in the dark, and the full extent of what was taken from his cell.

In their filings, Diddy’s lawyers accuse federal authorities of committing “outrageous government conduct,” asserting that the raid represents a serious violation of due process.

The proceedings have been further complicated by the introduction of a superseding indictment earlier this month, which alleges that Diddy coerced employees into enduring excessive work hours with minimal rest, all under the threat of harm to their physical well-being and reputational status. Diddy, maintaining his innocence, has pleaded not guilty to these new allegations.

Federal Prosecutors Confirm Unaltered Footage, Undermining Diddy’s Defense

During the hearing, federal prosecutors confirmed that they possess the original security footage capturing an incident involving Diddy and Cassie Ventura, which allegedly shows an assault. Diddy’s defense team had previously asserted that this footage was tampered with and that the original had been destroyed. They indicated plans to file a motion aimed at excluding this video from the trial, citing claims of manipulation that included obscuring time stamps and altering the sequence of events.

However, with the federal authorities confirming the availability of the unedited footage, the defense’s argument appears significantly weakened. Although this particular incident is not directly tied to the charges currently against Diddy, prosecutors aim to utilize the footage to illustrate his purported propensity for violence. In response to Diddy’s legal maneuvers, Cassie’s legal representation expressed little surprise at his attempt to discredit the video evidence. They reiterated confidence in the video’s integrity and its forthcoming inclusion in the trial proceedings, asserting that it accurately depicts the events in question and that Diddy will be held accountable for his actions.

The next pretrial conference is scheduled for April 25, where further developments in this high-profile case are anticipated.

Recent reports suggest Ashton is deeply concerned that Diddy could attempt to cut a deal by fabricating accusations against him to avoid jail time. However, sources close to Ashton confirm he has no cause for alarm. Ashton and Diddy’s relationship, which spanned over two decades and included Ashton’s attendance at one of Diddy’s famed White Parties, has reportedly soured following the music mogul’s arrest and indictment. Sources indicate Ashton, like others in Hollywood, now regrets his past association. Federal prosecutors, who last month revealed the indictment, have hinted that more individuals could face charges related to Diddy’s alleged crimes, though no additional arrests have been made yet.

Simultaneously, attorney Tony Buzbee announced he is representing 120 clients planning to file civil suits against Diddy and others, accusing them of sexual assault and abuse. Buzbee revealed several individuals who will be named as co-defendants with Diddy in the upcoming legal cases. The attorney stated that the names of the other high-profile individuals “will shock you.”

Judge Carter cited concerns over both Diddy’s potential flight risk and the danger he poses, saying, “The bail package is insufficient even on risk of flight.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson presented allegations of “Freak Offs”—sex parties Diddy allegedly hosted—where he filmed encounters involving male escorts, supposedly for blackmail purposes.

Johnson also referenced claims that Diddy drugged individuals and used these tapes for extortion, which Diddy has denied. She recounted an incident from March 5, 2016, where Diddy allegedly forced a woman to engage in sexual activities with an escort, then pursued the individual, wearing only a towel. This incident, involving Cassie, was captured on hotel surveillance footage. Johnson argued this proves Diddy can’t be trusted, adding that investigators have uncovered multiple victims, and this is just the “tip of the iceberg.”

Further accusations include physical coercion, where victims were allegedly assaulted. Johnson also brought up the discovery of guns with removed serial numbers, emphasizing the risk Diddy poses.

Despite Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, proposing a strict plan to monitor Diddy at his Miami home, Judge Carter upheld the decision to deny bail, citing concerns over witness intimidation and the rapper’s significant financial resources making him a flight risk.

Following the hearing, Agnifilo held a press conference, confirming that Diddy remains in solitary confinement in Brooklyn until further notice. He expressed hopes for a quick trial, though history suggests that may take time, and revealed plans to appeal the bail denial again, aiming to move Diddy to a better facility in New Jersey. Agnifilo reaffirmed Diddy’s innocence, stating they would “fight this case with all of our might.”

Judge Carter had previously denied several of Diddy’s bail requests. Diddy remains at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following his arrest last month. Carter ruled that Diddy’s proposed $50 million bail package wasn’t enough to ease concerns about flight risk and obstruction. Prosecutors claimed that Diddy had attempted to reach out to victims and witnesses. This included efforts to persuade one victim that their interactions were consensual. These actions raised alarms for potential interference with the legal process.

In response to the bail denials, Diddy’s legal team has recently expanded to include attorneys Alexandra Shapiro and Anthony Ricco, alongside his original lawyer Marc Agnifilo. The defense proposed strict conditions for Diddy’s release. These included hiring a private security firm to monitor his home, agreeing to weekly drug tests, and limiting female visitors to family members only. However, Judge Carter was not convinced. He expressed concerns about Diddy’s behavior and told him, “I don’t know that I think you can trust yourself.”

With the new judge now overseeing the case, Diddy and his legal team are likely hopeful that they will have more success with future bail applications.

According to Johnson, Diddy became enraged after finding out Cassie may have been romantically involved with another man. “Furious he set out to find her. He said he would kill the man,” Johnson told the court. She said Diddy broke into the man’s home but did not locate him. The prosecutor then described what happened next, claiming Diddy found Cassie and “brutally” beat her, saying he kicked her in the back and tossed her around “like a rag doll.”

The prosecution also alleged that Diddy had kept explicit videos of Cassie with male sex workers and threatened to use them against her. Johnson said those videos were kept as “souvenirs of the most humiliating nights of her life.”

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He has consistently denied any criminal behavior. This includes the allegations that he beat Cassie. He chose not to accept a plea deal offered by the government. When asked in court if he had rejected the offer, Diddy answered, “Yes, I did.” He acknowledged that going to trial could result in a harsher sentence if he is convicted.

The trial is expected to last between eight and ten weeks. During jury selection on May 5th, Diddy showed signs of unease. Speaking to the judge, he said, “I’m sorry your honor, I’m a little nervous today,” and asked to use the restroom. The judge initially declined but later granted the request.

According to court documents obtained by Pitchfork, Ashley Parham filed the suit on Tuesday (Oct.15) in a federal court claiming that the Bad Boy Records founder committed the alleged act in 2018.

The lawsuit states that Parham said she was introduced to Diddy by a man named Shane Pearce on FaceTime. She claims she wasn’t interested in meeting the mogul. She believes that Diddy had something to do with the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur.” Diddy allegedly said she “would ‘pay’ for her statement regarding Tupac and overall dismissal of Defendant Diddy.”

In March 2018, Parham claimed Pearce invited her to his home to help with his cancer medications because he was weak. At the apartment, she met Diddy for the first time and he was in a “ready to party’ mood.

According to the suit, Diddy began to antagonize Parham before holding a knife to her face, threatening to cut her “in retaliation for her previous statements on the video call.” Parham accused Diddy of taking off her clothing and squirting her with “an oil/lubricant” before using a television remote to vaginally rape her. She also alleged that Diddy, Pearce, and two unidentified men anally raped her.

Following the alleged gang rape, Parham said Diddy forced her to ingest an “unknown pill.”

After confronting Diddy about the assault, Diddy the musician attempted to bribe her. He asked her to say that she was a sex worker and the sexual encounter was consensual.

The suit claims that Diddy offered to pay her off allegedly saying “none would ever believe her. He also allegedly said he “would harm her family” if she spoke to the authorities.

Per the complaint, no charges were filed after the alleged encounter. Parham claims she went to several police departments to report the alleged rape.

Since his arrest in September, Diddy has been facing numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse in several lawsuits.

On May 5, 2025, Diddy will stand trial.