Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team is pushing for his release from jail as he awaits sentencing this fall, arguing that the he is being unfairly treated.
In a court filing submitted Tuesday, the disgraced music mogul’s attorneys asked a federal judge to grant him bail before his October sentencing, claiming the decision to keep him behind bars is based on an “unfair” assessment of his character. The legal team says the judge’s opinion that Diddy is a danger to the public doesn’t reflect the full context of the case, asserting he was “provoked” into violent behavior.
Earlier this month, Diddy was acquitted of the most serious charges tied to alleged “freak-offs” — drug-fueled sex parties, but he was found guilty on two lesser charges involving interstate prostitution. He faces between two and five years in prison when he’s sentenced on Oct. 3 in New York.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that the Bad Boy boss must remain in custody until then, citing his history of domestic violence. But Diddy’s attorneys are urging the court to reconsider.
“Sean Combs should not be in jail for this conduct,” write Marc Agnifilo and other members of his legal team. “In fact, he may be the only person currently in a United States jail for being any sort of john.”
The attorneys argue that pre-sentencing jail time is typically reserved for people who run prostitution rings, not individuals who pay for sex. They claim the situation is unprecedented in the 100-year history of the federal prostitution statute.
“There has literally never been a case like this one, where a person and his girlfriend arranged for adult men to have consensual sexual relations with the adult long-term girlfriend. Mr. Combs is incarcerated while everyone else involved in this identical conduct – his girlfriends, the [prostitutes], the agency’s leaders, the porn stars and others – walk free, as they should,” they write.
If released, Diddy is willing to comply with previously proposed conditions, including a $50 million bond and strict travel limits. His lawyers stress he’s not a flight risk and poses no threat.
“He will not be violent to anyone,” they assure.
Diddy’s sentencing is set for October 3.