Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs have filed a motion accusing the government of leaking a video of him beating his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, to the media. The motion, filed in the Southern District of New York, references a 2016 hotel surveillance video published by CNN that shows Combs dragging and kicking Ventura. Combs’ lawyers claim that the government leaked the video to CNN but did not provide evidence to support their claims. CNN declined to comment on the matter.
Combs, who is currently in federal custody awaiting trial on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, has pleaded not guilty. In addition to these charges, he is also facing multiple civil lawsuits alleging various sexual misconduct and illegal activity. The motion filed by Combs’ attorneys alleges that authorities also alerted the media about searches conducted at his homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March, further tainting the jury pool and depriving Combs of a fair trial.
In response to the alleged leaks, Combs’ attorneys have asked the judge to impose a gag order prohibiting the government from providing information about evidence in the case to the media. They argue that the leaks make it difficult for Combs to receive a fair trial. The attorneys claim that the leaks came from agents of the Department of Homeland Security, particularly the Homeland Security Investigations division that conducted the searches, rather than prosecutors on the case. Spokespersons for HSI New York and the US attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the matter.
According to Combs’ attorneys, prosecutors informed them that they did not obtain the hotel surveillance video through the grand jury process, and that DHS agents did not have possession of the video until after CNN aired it. Initially, Combs denied allegations of abusing Ventura, which were included in a lawsuit she filed in November 2023 before the video was made public. Following the release of the video, Combs issued an apology. It is important to note that these allegations and legal proceedings are ongoing and more information may come to light as the case progresses.
In conclusion, the accusations of leaked evidence and government interference in the case against Sean “Diddy” Combs highlight the complexities of legal proceedings involving high-profile individuals. The motion filed by Combs’ attorneys seeks to address concerns about the fairness of his trial and the impact of media leaks on potential jurors. As the case unfolds, it will be important to consider the evidence presented in court and the legal process to determine the outcome of the charges against Combs. CNN’s role in publishing the surveillance video and the response from both Combs and his legal team add layers of complexity to an already complicated legal situation. Further developments in this case will likely shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged leaks and their impact on the trial.
