Did Sean 'Diddy' Combs Obstruct Justice Behind Bars?

Prosecutors believe Sean "Diddy" Combs is working to interfere with potential jurors in his upcoming sex trafficking trial from behind bars. In a court filing, they say on his birthday, Combs instructed his family to unleash a social media campaign designed to manipulate public opinion and the jury pool.

Recorded prison calls reflect that Combs directed family members to contact potential witnesses and victims, instructing the latter to fashion stories that could help him. He also allegedly encouraged concerted publicity efforts to change public opinion about his case.

Prosecution: Combs Can't be Trusted

In a filing in Manhattan federal court on Nov. 15, prosecutors vigorously opposed Combs' $50 million bail offer. They said his behavior while in custody "reflects a wholesale disregard for rules—and he therefore cannot be trusted to abide by bail conditions."

“The defendant has repeatedly shown that he will flagrantly and persistently disregard the rules to improperly influence his case's outcome,” the prosecutors stated. They inferred that Combs’ actions may be aimed at intimidating witnesses or coercing them into providing favorable testimony.

History of Alleged Misconduct

Since his arrest in September, the 55-year-old music mogul has pleaded not guilty to accusations of coercing and abusing women over the years. The charges against him include blackmail, violence, kidnapping, and arson. Two judges have previously denied bail, citing him as both a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Combs’ legal team recently filed a third bail request, citing new evidence they claim justifies his release to prepare for his May 5 trial. Prosecutors counter that the evidence cited by the defense was already available when prior bail applications were rejected.

Coordinated Birthday Campaign

Among the allegations, prosecutors highlighted Combs’ orchestration of a social media campaign tied to his birthday. Family members posted a celebratory video online, which he then monitored for engagement metrics from jail. Prosecutors allege that Combs explicitly discussed maximizing the video’s impact on potential jurors.

Attempts to Silence Witnesses

Besides his activity on social media, Combs is accused of attempting to publish anonymous information that would support his defense and continuously contacting witnesses, including alleged victims. According to prosecutors, these facts threaten to harm the integrity of the judicial process and justify his continued detention.

While the prosecution makes these latest claims, Combs's defense has yet to comment on them. His plea for bail will be taken up in court during the upcoming hearing.