Sean (Diddy) Combs loses bid to delay sex-trafficking trial set to start in May

A U.S. judge has denied Sean (Diddy) Combs’ request to delay his upcoming sex-trafficking trial by two months. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian stated that the hip-hop mogul’s request was made too close to the trial date, which is set to begin with jury selection on May 5 and opening statements on May 12.

Combs, 55, has entered a plea of not guilty to five criminal counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking. Prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office allege that Combs used his business empire to exploit women between the years 2004 and 2024.

In response, Combs’ legal team argues that the sexual activities described by the prosecution were consensual. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, requested the trial delay in order to have more time to prepare a defense against new charges filed on April 4. Agnifilo also mentioned the need for additional time to review emails that the defense is requesting from an alleged victim.

Federal prosecutors opposed any delay, contending in a court filing that the new charges did not introduce substantially new conduct. They also argued that Combs was not entitled to access the alleged victim’s communications.

Subramanian is considering various evidentiary matters, including whether alleged victims should be allowed to testify under pseudonyms.

Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, is the founder of Bad Boy Records and is renowned for his role in launching the careers of artists such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher in the 1990s and 2000s. However, prosecutors claim that his success masked a darker side, alleging that he engaged in abuse such as coercing women to participate in sexual performances known as “freak offs” with male sex workers who were sometimes transported across state lines.