NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs are accusing prosecutors of engaging in “outrageous government conduct” after materials were seized from his jail cell and used in an attempt to keep him incarcerated before his May trial.
The materials were collected during a raid on Combs’ cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Prosecutors cited the information in a court filing on Friday, seeking to prevent Combs from being released before his May 5 trial.
In response, Combs’ lawyers raised serious concerns in a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, who has already scheduled a bail hearing for Friday. They requested an “immediate hearing” to address the issue, demanding that prosecutors explain who authorized the search and what personal materials were seized during the raid.
Prosecutors, however, defended the search, stating it was part of a routine, safety-related sweep that was not specifically targeted at Combs or his case. They explained that the search had been planned before Combs’ arrest and was conducted properly by an investigator. The investigator chose not to examine a manila envelope labeled “legal” found in the cell.
To address any concerns about attorney-client privilege, prosecutors explained that a “filter team” of government lawyers, not involved in the case, reviewed potentially privileged materials to ensure they were not seen by trial prosecutors.
Combs, 55, has been in custody since his September arrest on charges that he coerced and abused women over several years, allegedly using a network of associates and employees to intimidate victims. The charges against him include blackmail, kidnapping, arson, and physical violence.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently seeking release on house arrest with a $50 million bail package.
