Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers have filed a motion, requesting the identities of the music mogul’s accusers in his sex trafficking case.
In a letter to a Manhattan federal court judge, Combs’ legal team argued that he needs to know the names of the alleged victims so he can sufficiently prepare for his May 5, 2025, trial.
“This case is unique, in part because of the number of individuals levying allegations against Mr Combs due to his celebrity status, wealth, and the publicity of his previously settled lawsuit and the grand jury leaks and false inflammatory statements by the DHS agents, as outlined in our previous motion,” the letter signed by Combs’ lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, and shared with Variety, reads.
“This has had a pervasive ripple effect, resulting in a torrent of allegations by unidentified complainants, spanning from the false to outright absurd.”
The motion seemingly refers to the Nov. 16, 2023, lawsuit filed by Combs’ ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, accusing him of physical abuse, rape and sex trafficking. Although the lawsuit was settled the following day, it triggered a wave of legal action against Combs from women and men he allegedly assaulted.
Combs’ lawyers also note the six additional sexual assault lawsuits that were filed on Monday by anonymous accusers.
“Counsel for these accusers recently convened a press conference at which he claimed to represent 120 accusers making outrageous and deeply prejudicial allegations, including violent sexual assault and sexual abuse of minors,” Combs’ lawyers said in Tuesday’s letter.
“This publicity stunt, broadcast on Instagram, included a ‘1-800’ number that reportedly received 12,000 calls in the first 24 hours.”
The lawyers continued: “These accusations came on the heels of more than a dozen lawsuits previously filed and currently pending, several of which have already been discredited but only after irreparably damaging Mr Combs’ character and reputation. These swirling allegations have created a hysterical media circus that, if left unchecked, will irreparably deprive Mr. Combs of a fair trial, if they haven’t already.”
Combs, who was arrested by Homeland Security in Manhattan on Sept. 16, is facing federal criminal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
He is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.