Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs will remain in jail pending his trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges after a judge denied his bail appeal on Wednesday.
Judge Andrew Carter upheld an earlier decision, rejecting the $50 million bail package proposed by Combs’s defense, which was backed by his Miami property.
The judge cited concerns about Combs's violent history, substance abuse, and the potential for witness tampering.
Did you read this?
Combs’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment outside the Manhattan federal courthouse, stating, "It did not go our way." He vowed to continue pushing for Combs's release on bail and emphasized his commitment to expedite the trial process.
"Wherever he is, his resolve is the same. He believes he’s innocent," Agnifilo said, noting that Combs is being held in what he described as "inhumane" prison conditions.
Combs, 54, faces three criminal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting victims across state lines for prostitution.
Prosecutors allege that Combs led a criminal enterprise that manipulated and coerced women into drug-fueled sex parties through threats, violence, and financial exploitation.
Prosecutors compare Combs’s alleged crimes to those of Jeffrey Epstein, NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, and R. Kelly, all of whom have been convicted of similar offenses. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This case marks a dramatic downfall for the rap legend who played a pivotal role in the rise of hip-hop and launched the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G.
