Federal prosecutors argue in a court filing that Sean Combs should not be granted bail because he “poses serious dangers and obstructions” to the criminal sex case he is involved in.
The prosecution aimed from behind bars at Combs’ activities. They alleged that, “the defendant, among other things has orchestrated social media campaigning which, in his words, is aimed at tainting jury pool, made efforts to public leak materials he believes are helpful to his case, and contacted witness through third parties.”
The filing quoted notes found in Combs’s cell during a sweep through the jail. The notes’ contents are redacted, but prosecutors say there is “strong evidence” that Combs had paid off a witness who posted a statement on Instagram.
Combs was also accused in the government’s filing of using at least eight accounts at MDC-Brooklyn to “appear to avoid law enforcement surveillance” and make calls to people not on his approved list.
The filing stated, “To obtain or maintain access to other inmates’ (phone access code) numbers, the defendant directed others to pay inmates through payment processing apps, BOP commissary accounts deposits, and payment processing apps.”
Defense attorneys claimed that new evidence “undermines the government’s case” against Combs, but prosecutors countered by saying “the defendant does not offer anything new or material to justify a third hearing on bail” and “rehashed the same arguments rejected by two previous judges”.
Prosecutors said that the “near total restrictions” Combs was offered as part of an enhanced bail package were “woefully inadequate” to keep him from tainting the upcoming trial.
Prosecutors said that the defendant was a violent serial abuser, who used his wealth and position within the entertainment industry to hide his illegal conduct, preventing victims and witnesses from coming forward.
The judge has set a Friday afternoon hearing. Combs has denied charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and prostitution. The accusations were that he used violence, threats, and coercion to force women into sex with male prostitutes. These acts could last for days, and they are often recorded. Combs called the activities “freak-offs.”
Combs claimed that the video showing him slapping his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was a “loving, sometimes toxic, long-term, relationship between two adults who mutually decided to break up.”
