American rapper, Sean “Diddy” Combs, was denied bail on Wednesday as he awaits trial on sex trafficking charges, after a judge deemed him a “serious risk” of tampering with witnesses.
The ruling followed evidence that Combs attempted to hide unauthorized communications while in custody.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian issued a five-page decision, delivered after a bail hearing last week.
During the hearing, Combs’ legal team proposed a $50 million bail package, arguing it would ensure his compliance and prevent witness intimidation.
However, Subramanian joined two previous judges in siding with prosecutors, who contended that the music mogul poses a danger if released.
“There is compelling evidence of Combs’s propensity for violence,” Subramanian stated in his decision.
Defense attorneys for Combs did not respond to inquiries, while Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the prosecution, declined to comment.
The 55-year-old hip-hop star has pleaded not guilty to charges that allege he manipulated and abused women over a period of years, with assistance from associates and employees.
According to the indictment, Combs allegedly silenced victims through threats, blackmail, and violence, including acts of kidnapping, arson, and physical assault.
A federal appeals court previously denied Combs’ immediate release while the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reviews his bail request.
That process was paused after Subramanian, recently assigned to the case, reconsidered the bail arguments and supporting evidence.
Prosecutors have consistently argued that no bail conditions would sufficiently safeguard the public or prevent Combs, founder of Bad Boy Records, from fleeing.
They allege that even from his detention facility in Brooklyn, Combs has directed social media campaigns to sway potential jurors and attempted to leak materials advantageous to his defense. Additionally, they claim he used intermediaries to contact potential witnesses.
Combs’ defense counters that the alleged abuse occurred within consensual adult relationships and asserts that new evidence undermines claims that he coerced women into orchestrated sexual encounters known as “Freak Offs.”
Subramanian cited Combs’ risk of witness tampering, particularly after evidence showed he communicated with a grand jury witness over the summer and deleted messages.
The judge also pointed to Combs’ violation of Bureau of Prisons rules by paying inmates to use their phone access codes, enabling him to call unauthorized individuals.
Further, Combs allegedly instructed family and defense team members to involve others in three-way calls, complicating monitoring efforts.
Subramanian highlighted these actions as “strong evidence” that Combs would continue similar behavior if released.
“Given the nature of the allegations in this case and the information provided by the government, the Court doubts the sufficiency of any conditions that place trust in Combs and individuals in his employ — like a private security detail — to follow those conditions,” he wrote, emphasizing that even stringent home confinement would likely be inadequate.
