Diddy loses bid to obtain gag order against alleged government leaks

Sean “Diddy” Combs The lawyers have lost an attempt to impose a gag order on government agencies involved in the investigation of their federal case. criminal case of extortion and sex traffickingwho Combs’ team has accused of leaking information to the press.

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

“To be clear, this order is not based on a finding that there has been wrongdoing so far, as the Court has not made any findings at this time in relation to the defendant’s allegations that information related to the case,” Subramanian wrote. . “The purpose of this order is to help ensure that going forward nothing happens that could interfere with a fair trial.”

When contacted by USA TODAY, an attorney for Combs declined to comment.

Earlier this month, Combs’ attorneys had asked the judge to issue an order prohibiting federal employees from disclosing to the media evidence that they say “undermines Mr. Combs’ right to a fair trial.” Defense and U.S. attorneys discussed the issue but could not agree on language for a joint order, instead submitting their own individual proposals.

Federal judge vows to “take appropriate action” against leaks

In a letter Friday, Combs’ team called the judge’s attention to an article from the New York Post that had been published that day and purported to cite “a federal law enforcement source who is involved in the investigation” who commented on Combs’ alleged frenzy.

“Such comments, if made by an officer 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 the related investigation of its obligations under “Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) and the U.S. District Courts for the South and the United States.” Eastern New York Local Civil Rule 23.1 “and provide you with this order.”

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

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

As noted in a letter filed with the court earlier this month, Combs’ team believes that since March the government has been “strategically leaking confidential grand jury material and information, including the 2016 Intercontinental videotape, with the in order to prejudice the public and potential jurors against Mr. Peines.”

This has generated “public hostility against Mr. Combs prior to trial,” they wrote. In May, CNN published 2016 hotel surveillance footage shows Combs kicking, punching and dragging his ex-girlfriend Cassie near the elevators of a hotel. Combs, in a video, He apologized for his “inexcusable” behavior; Her attorneys have described the abuse as the result of a toxic relationship and not evidence of sex trafficking.

The hip-hop superstar was arrested in a Manhattan hotel on September 16 and processed in charges of sex trafficking, extortion and transportation to engage in prostitution the next day. Investigators say the 54-year-old man elaborately planned use his finances and status in the entertainment industry to “satisfy his sexual desires” in a “recurring and widely known” pattern of abuse.

He has been imprisoned in Special Housing Unit at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Centerr since then and has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all federal criminal charges and denying wrongdoing alleged in growing civil lawsuits against him last year.

All of Combs’ attempts so far to secure his release from jail until his trial on May 5 have been rejected. They are seeking an appeals court ruling that overturns a September 18 decision to deny his request. be released from jail under conditions including $50 million bail.