Diddy’s Lawyers Ask a New York Judge to Release the Identities of His Accusers

Photo Credit: Tingey Law

Lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs ask a New York judge to release the identities of his accusers in the sex trafficking case against him.

Lawyers representing Sean “Diddy” Combs asked a New York judge on Tuesday to order prosecutors to release the names of his accusers in the federal sex trafficking case against him. The attorneys wrote in their letter to a Manhattan federal judge that Combs needs to know the identities of the alleged victims in order to adequately prepare for the trial, which is set to kick off on May 5.

The 54-year-old music mogul has been held without bail since his September 16 arrest for sex trafficking and racketeering charges in a federal case against him. He has pleaded not guilty.

His lawyers have asked a federal appeals court to allow him to be freed to home detention to enable them to more easily meet with their client and prepare for the trial. But judges have thus far concluded that Combs is a danger to the community and must remain incarcerated.

The request to identify Combs’ accusers comes just after six new lawsuits were filed anonymously against him to protect the identities of the alleged victims. Of the six new lawsuits, two of the accusers were identified as Jane Does, while the other four were listed as John Does. Each of the lawsuits claims Combs used his fame and promises of furthering the victims’ prospects in the music industry to entice them to attend parties or social events where he then sexually assaulted them.

These six new plaintiffs are part of what their attorneys say is a group of over 100 accusers still in the process of filing legal claims against Combs. According to his defense team, Combs’ fame and the “publicity of his previously settled lawsuit,” referring to the lawsuit filed by his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in November, has led to the numerous allegations filed against him.

HIs lawyers assert that the mounting lawsuits and their “swirling allegations have created a hysterical media circus that, if left unchecked, will irreparably deprive Mr. Combs of a fair trial, if they haven’t already.” Their letter asks that the government identify the alleged victims so Combs knows which allegations prosecutors are relying on in their indictment against him.

“To the extent Mr. Combs is forced to mount a defense against criminal allegations that the government does not seek to prove at trial, he is entitled to know that,” their letter reads.

The indictment contains allegations that Combs coerced and abused women for many years with the help of a network of employees and other associates, using blackmail and violence to keep victims compliant and prevent them from speaking out.