Sean “Diddy” Combs has urged a judge to prevent prospective witnesses from speaking out about the charges against him.
The 54-year-old musician was arrested in September on allegations of s*x trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution, and he is now facing many civil cases.
His legal team has submitted a motion asking the court to speed up the process of responding to the request to limit statements made outside of court, citing one potential witness in particular.
According to “TMZ,” Courtney Burgess has given many interviews in recent days, including one with his lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, during which the “I’ll Be Missing You” hitmaker argued that his words were false and libelous.
Mitchell told the publication that Burgess was called to testify because he has, or has seen, salacious videos of the disgraced music mogul and his celebrity friends, but Combs’ lawyers specifically cited information in articles from another outlet that stated the rapper’s so-called “Freak Offs” involved “men” and “parties”.
According to the legal documents, the government has been investigating the rapper for nearly a year and is aware that the alleged “Freak Offs” did not involve men, minors, or parties. By failing to treat such claims as a “extortion scam,” online conspiracies are being fueled, and the lawyers argue that it is becoming increasingly impossible for their client to receive a fair trial as a result.
Combs has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing since he was arrested on a federal indictment in September.
He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty.
And a few weeks ago, he insisted the “truth will prevail” after six new civil lawsuits were filed, with four including male accusers and one alleged victim stating he was 16 years old when he was invited to one of Combs’ parties in 1998.
In a statement, the musician’s lawyers said: “The press conference and 1-800 number that preceded today’s barrage of filings were clear attempts to garner publicity.
“Mr Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defences and the integrity of the judicial process.
“In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr Combs has never s*xually assaulted anyone — adult or minor, man or woman.”
