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Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail for the third time, as he awaits trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
The music mogul, 55, appeared in federal court in New York on Friday, where lawyers tried to secure his release on $50 million bail, and moved into a luxury apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, saying he would be placed under arrest. under “essential” restrictions as he prepares to go on trial – scheduled for May 5.
But in a ruling on Wednesday afternoon, Judge Arun Subramanian rejected the application, agreeing with prosecutors’ argument that Combs had shown violent tendencies before, and could not be “trusted” to obey the rules if released.
“The court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no circumstances or combination of circumstances can ensure the safety of the public,” the filing said, noting that the government has presented evidence supporting “a serious risk of witness tampering.”
At a hearing last week, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik said Combs’ attempts to reach witnesses from behind bars, often through family members, showed that he “cannot and will not follow the rules” even when set up by his own attorney. “Simply, the defendant is not to be trusted,” he said.
Slavik also accused the mogul’s lawyer of “pursuing a violation of the rules” and said he showed “an inability to control his client.”
In his ruling, Judge Subramanian noted that there was evidence to support the prosecution’s claim that Combs had violated Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regulations during his pretrial detention by paying another inmate to use a telephone access code to call someone who was not in his possession. approved contact list.
“The court did not determine that the content of Combs’ communications through these channels was inappropriate,” the ruling said.
“However, his willingness to violate BOP rules in a way that would make communications more difficult to monitor is strong evidence that the Court cannot be ‘reasonably assure(d)’ of the adequacy of the terms of his release, especially since it occurred when Combs applied for bail, and when he understand the government’s concerns about witness interference and obstruction are front and center.
Two judges previously concluded that Combs was a danger to the community and a flight risk.
Last week, the mogul’s defense said that if released, Combs would live in “more restrictive” conditions than he currently has at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where he is currently being held.
A “completely independent” security team will monitor Combs 24/7, attorneys said, with contact only allowed with counselors and a select few family members.
Judge Subramanian also rejected the claim, writing that “due to the nature of the allegations in this case and the information provided by the government, the Court doubts the adequacy of any conditions that can be trusted in Combs and the individuals he works with – like the private security detail. – to follow the requirements mentioned.”
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, has been accused of not guilty of charges that coerced and abused women for years with the help of a network of associates and employees, while silencing the victim through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
He was arrested in September on sex-trafficking and racketeering charges with federal prosecutors saying he and his accomplices threatened, abused and coerced women and others around them “to fulfill their sexual desires” – which allegedly included forcing victims to engage in sexual activity which is recorded. they are referred to as “Freak Offs.”
Federal agents with US Homeland Security raided the rapper’s two homes in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25 as part of an investigation into the allegations against him.
