Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal team is trying to stall the start of the rapper’s sex trafficking trial. This development comes amid growing public attention to the case, which has dominated entertainment headlines since his arrest.
The former music mogul, 55, is currently scheduled to begin in less than three weeks on federal charges, and he appeared in a New York federal courtroom on Monday (14.04.25), during which it has now emerged Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo told the court the defense may request a two-week adjournment. He cited discovery issues, including the government’s alleged failure to obtain a full set of emails from a key witness. Legal experts note that discovery disputes are common in complex federal cases, particularly those involving extensive digital evidence.
“The government let the witness select which emails were important, instead of asking for all 200,000,” Mr Agnifilo said. This selective approach to evidence gathering has raised concerns about potential bias in the prosecution’s case preparation according to some legal observers.
But Judge Arun Subramanian gave Combs’ lawyers until Wednesday (16.04.25) to formally request a delay – and Warner them: “We are a freight train moving toward trial.” The judge’s firm stance reflects the court’s commitment to maintaining the scheduled timeline despite the defense’s concerns.
Combs has been held without bail since his arrest in September 2024. His continued pre-trial detention has been a point of contention, with his legal team previously filing multiple unsuccessful motions for his release.
Even though he entered a not guilty plea during Monday’s hearing, prosecutors argue recent procedural issues — including his failure to enter a plea following new charges and delays in the discovery process — indicate a broader strategy to buy time before trial. The prosecution team has consistently maintained that these tactics are deliberate attempts to postpone proceedings.
The most recent indictment, filed on 4 April, adds two new charges to the existing list against Combs. This expanded indictment came after months of investigation and evidence gathering by federal authorities.
Prosecutors allege the rapper used “force, fraud or coercion” to compel a woman, referred to as “Victim-2”, to engage in commercial sex acts between 2021 and 2024. Court documents indicate that this alleged victim has provided extensive testimony to investigators.
He is also accused of transporting the woman, along with other individuals including commercial sex workers, across state lines to participate in acts of prostitution. The interstate nature of these allegations elevates the case to federal jurisdiction and potentially increases the severity of penalties if convicted.
The expanded indictment builds on earlier charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Prosecutors allege Combs, over a period of years, coerced multiple women into sex acts, including three who were sex-trafficked and one employee who was forced into sexual activity. The racketeering charges suggest an organized criminal enterprise rather than isolated incidents.
The case claims Combs abused his “power and prestige” as a high-profile figure in the music industry to recruit and exploit women, aided by a network of employees and associates. Industry insiders have noted that the allegations have sent shockwaves through the entertainment community.
According to federal filings, Combs also allegedly blackmailed and violently intimidated victims, employing tactics that included physical assault, arson and kidnapping. These allegations represent some of the most serious aspects of the case against the music mogul.
He is further accused of orchestrating events known as ‘Freak Offs’, in which allegedly drugged women were apparently forced to participate in choreographed sexual encounters. Witness statements regarding these events form a significant portion of the prosecution’s evidence.
Combs‘ legal team has dismissed the new charges as involving no new accusers and claims the relationships in question were consensual. They maintain that the prosecution has mischaracterized the nature of private adult interactions.
The case continues to attract significant media attention, with numerous former associates of Combs coming forward with additional allegations that, while not part of the current charges, have contributed to public scrutiny of the music mogul’s past behavior and business practices.
