Diddy’s lawyers accuse US government of leaking Cassie assault video – National
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Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs accused federal authorities of leaking the video of Physical attack on Combs against his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, thereby depriving Combs of a fair jury trial.
In the legal filing submitted Wednesday, Combs’ attorneys said U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents facilitated a “series of illegal government leaks,” with the assault video being “the most common example.” blatant.”
The memorandum was filed in connection with federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty.
In May, CNN obtained security camera footage of Combs beating Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Although the hip-hop mogul initially denied assaulting Ventura, he publicly apologized after the video was released and said he was “truly sorry” for his “inexcusable” actions.
CNN did not specify the source of the images.
Combs and Ventura later settled her lawsuit against him, alleging she endured years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse in his hands. The new legal filing says Ventura received “a substantial eight-figure settlement.”
The musician’s lawyers, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, said the alleged DHS leak “led to damaging and extremely prejudicial pretrial publicity that can only taint the jury and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”
Combs’ legal team said it may ask that the video be excluded from his trial entirely. If the leak was disclosed by a federal agent, it is a violation of grand jury secrecy, they wrote.
Agnifilo and Geragos did not provide specific evidence that DHS officials leaked the tape.
The lawyers noted, however, that when they told the government they would file a motion alleging that authorities leaked the video, prosecutors said CNN did not obtain the footage “through a large jury.”
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Prosecutors added that DHS “did not have possession of the videotape prior to its release by CNN.”
Ventura is not specifically named in the latest filing. Combs’ lawyers said they do not believe Ventura provided the video to CNN.
Agnifilo and Geragos also accused DHS of leaking “a steady stream of false and damaging statements” to various media outlets, including the New York Post.
The anonymous comments to the press, many of which are cited in the memorandum, are “false, prejudicial and prejudicial,” according to the filing.
Combs’ lawyers have argued throughout their investigation that DHS attempted to “savage” Combs’ reputation before his trial. The “particularly brutal and public search” of Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami is a source of contention for his lawyers. During the raid by U.S. federal agents, Combs’ two sons were handcuffed in front of waiting members of the press.
“After parading these two completely innocent young men and presenting them in handcuffs and restraints to the media, the officers took them back into the house, still in handcuffs, and released them,” the filing states.
Before the March 25, 2024, searches, Combs’ lawyers said he twice offered to cooperate with the investigation.
His legal team called the raids “public spectacles of brutality” designed to portray Combs as dangerous and maximize media exposure through the presence of 100 armed federal agents spread out between the two residences.
Police and members of the media gather outside the home of Sean (Diddy) Combs in Los Angeles on March 25, 2024, as the property is searched by federal agents in sex trafficking prosecutions and sexual assault.
DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images
DHS has not yet responded to the new allegations.
Combs’ lawyers have clarified that they do not believe the alleged leaks were orchestrated by the U.S. attorney’s office. They have asked the government for an evidentiary hearing, as well as a relevant inquiry, to investigate any misconduct. Combs’ lawyers asked the judge for a gag order.
Combs was once one of the most powerful and influential men in the entertainment industry.
A federal indictment unsealed September 17 revealed that Diddy was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The charges are related to what is called “monsters” forced sexual acts that Diddy allegedly orchestrated and recorded. The “freak offs” often involved narcotics, including ketamine, ecstasy and GHB, to keep victims “obedient and docile,” officials say.
Earlier this month, Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee said he represented 120 accusers who shared dozens of new claims against the musician, including rape and sexual assault dating back to 1991. The accusers include women, men and minors.
Combs has denied all of the new allegations against him and maintains his innocence.
He was twice denied bail and remains behind bars.
Combs is scheduled to go to trial May 5.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or is involved in a violent situation, please visit Canadian Resource Center for Victims of Crime for help. They can also be reached toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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