Diddy loses bid for gag order over alleged government leaks

Sean “Diddy” Combs lawyers lost their bid to impose a silence order on government agencies involved in his federal investigation a criminal case involving racketeering and sex traffickingthat Combs’ team has accused of leaking information to the press.

In Friday’s order reviewed by USA TODAY, Judge Arun Subramanian declined to adopt any of the proposed orders submitted by the prosecution and defense. Instead, he wrote, both sides are expected to abide by existing laws prohibiting lawyers, investigators and government agents from disclosing grand jury proceedings and disclosing nonpublic information that could interfere with a fair trial.

“To be clear, this order is not based on a finding that any irregularities have occurred to date, as the Court has not made any findings at this stage regarding the defendant’s claims that information related to the case has been leaked,” Subramanian wrote. . “The purpose of this order is to ensure that nothing happens from this point forward that would interfere with a fair trial.”

When contacted by USA TODAY, Combs’ lawyer declined to comment.

Earlier this month, Combs’ lawyers asked a judge to issue an order prohibiting federal employees from disclosing evidence to the media that they believe “undermines Mr. Combs’ right to a fair trial.” The defense and U.S. lawyers discussed the issue but failed to agree on the language of a joint stipulation, instead submitting their own individual proposals.

Federal judge vows to “take appropriate action” against leaks

In a letter filed Friday, Combs’ team caught the judge’s attention article in the New York Post which appeared that day and purportedly quoted a “federal law enforcement source involved in the investigation” who commented on Combs’ alleged antics.

“These comments, if made by an agent involved in the investigation or prosecution of this case, are clearly inappropriate,” Subramanian wrote. “This order requires the government to notify the agencies involved in this case or a related investigation of their obligations under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) and Rule 23.1 of the Local District Courts of the United States for Southern and Eastern New York and provide them with this order.”

The judge added: “The court will take appropriate action in case of any violation of the rules.”

Combs’ team’s request for an evidentiary hearing to investigate alleged government misconduct is still pending.

As stated in a letter filed with the court earlier this month, Combs’ team believes that since March the government has “strategically released confidential grand jury materials and information, including the 2016 Intercontinental video tape, to harm the public and potential jurors against you. Combs.

This fueled “public hostility toward Mr. Combs prior to trial,” they wrote. in May CNN published 2016 hotel surveillance footage showing Combs kicking, punching and dragging his ex-girlfriend Cassie near the hotel elevators. In the movie Combs apologized for his “inexcusable” behavior; his lawyers portrayed the abuse as the result of an abusive relationship rather than evidence of sex trafficking.

Hip-hop star was arrested at a Manhattan hotel on September 16 and indicted sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation, only to deal with prostitution charges the next day. Investigators say he is 54 years old elaborately planned use his finances and status in the entertainment industry to “pursue his sexual desires” in a “repeated and widely known” pattern of harassment.

He was placed in custody Special housing unit at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklynr since then and maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty to all federal criminal charges and denying the criminal charges against him civil lawsuits are increasing against him over the past year.

All of Combs’ previous attempts to have him released from prison pending his May 5 trial have been rejected. They demand a judgment from the appellate court that would invalidate, among other things, On September 18, the decision was made to reject his request will be released from prison on conditions that include posting a $50 million bond.