A federal judge has responded to one of Diddy’s recent requests. As we previously reported, the mogul claimed that prosecutors leaked the 2016 surveillance video of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie.
According to Billboard, the judge is refusing to start an investigation into what Combs calls a “campaign” of leaks from the government. In a ruling issued on Monday, Judge Arun Subramanian shot down Combs’ request for discovery and an evidentiary hearing on the matter. Combs argued that the prosecution was using media hype to “taint the jury pool” and mess with his chance at a fair trial.
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The judge pointed out that Combs didn’t provide any solid evidence that government agents were behind the video leak. “Combs never considers the possibility that many people beyond Victim-1 and government agents likely had access to the video, including Combs’s team (who paid security officers at the Intercontinental Hotel “$100,000 in cash to destroy” the video) and hotel employees and contractors,” the judge wrote.
While he turned down Combs’ legal team’s request, the judge didn’t hold back on reminding prosecutors to keep grand jury materials under wraps and avoid leaking any sensitive info to the press.
“The court is sensitive to Combs’s concern about the publication of stories claiming to disclose inside information about this case from unnamed ‘federal law enforcement sources who are involved in the investigation,’” the judge wrote.
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“The court has already taken steps in this regard, and it is open to tailored applications for relief as this case continues,” the judge added. “The court once again reminds the government and its agents that if specific information comes to light showing that they leaked prohibited information, action will be taken.”
Combs got hit with an indictment back in September, charged with running a major criminal enterprise to satisfy his “sexual gratification.” The case revolves around wild “freak off” parties where he and others allegedly supplied victims with drugs and coerced them into sex, along with reports of violence to keep them quiet.
A trial is lined up to kick off on May 5. If found guilty on all counts, Combs could be looking at a life sentence.
