Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail for the third time as he awaits trial on federal sex crime charges. The ruling, handed down by Federal Judge Arun Subramanian on November 22, follows similar decisions made by two other judges who expressed concerns about witness tampering.
Combs, who has been in custody since his arrest in September, is currently being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Judge Subramanian determined that the government had presented “clear and convincing evidence” that no conditions for his release would ensure the safety of the community.
“The Court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community,” the judge stated.
Witness tampering remains a key issue in the case. Prosecutors allege that Combs has attempted to intimidate witnesses while in custody, trying to influence or silence testimonies to help his defense. Legal documents claim his goal is to “blackmail victims and witnesses into silence or providing testimony helpful to his defense.”
In a bid to secure his release, Combs’ defense team proposed a $50 million bail package, which included strict measures such as 24/7 surveillance, restricted communication, and monitoring of all his interactions. Despite these conditions, the court found the risks of releasing Combs to be too high, with the judge siding with the prosecution’s concerns.
Combs’ legal team has criticized the conditions at the detention center, describing it as “unfit” for pre-trial detention. However, the court’s focus has remained on the potential threat to witnesses and the safety of the public.
The case has drawn significant media attention, marking a dramatic fall from grace for Combs, a once-celebrated entrepreneur and artist, who is now facing serious legal challenges that could alter his future.
