As Sean “Diddy” Combs awaits trial, his request for a gag order has been denied.
Source: Prince Williams / Wireimage
The Bad Boy founder’s request was rejected by Judge Arun Subramanian on Oct. 25, according to reports from Page Six. The order would prevent government officials from leaking information about his case as he remains in jail leading up to his trial next year.
Subramanian reportedly issued a similar gag order, however, ruling that federal agents, investigators, and Combs’ legal team must follow laws preventing them from sharing grand jury proceedings details that could affect a fair trial.
“To be clear, this order isn’t based on a finding that there has been any wrongdoing thus far, as the Court has made no findings at this juncture relating to defendant’s allegations that information related to the case has been leaked,” Subramanian wrote on Friday. “The point of this order is to help ensure that nothing happens from now on that would interfere with a fair trial…The Court will take appropriate action for any violation of the rules.”
This ruling comes after the disgraced music mogul’s lawyers accused the feds of leaking security footage of him violently assaulting his ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura to the press. According to documents obtained by Page Six, Combs’ legal team alleged that government agents gave the 2016 video to CNN in May in an effort to “mortally wound the reputation and the prospect of Sean Combs successfully defending himself against these allegations.”
“Rather than using the videotape as trial evidence, alongside other evidence that gives it context and meaning, the agents misused it in the most prejudicial and damaging way possible,” the documents allege.
Still, the feds denied leaking the hotel footage, telling the judge, “The Government was not in possession of the video before its publication by CNN.”
Diddy is currently facing more than 20 lawsuits after being indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution in September. The latest was filed on Oct. 20 in New York federal court, claiming a 13-year-old girl was raped by Combs and another male celebrity as a female celebrity watched.
In September 2000, the then-teenager reportedly wanted to attend the Video Music Awards, asking limo drivers outside the event in NYC for help getting in. According to reports from The Guardian, one driver told her that because of her age, she “fit what Diddy was looking for,” so he could take her to a party.
“You are ready to party!” Combs allegedly said as the Jane Doe became disoriented. That’s when, according to the lawsuit, Diddy and another male celebrity allegedly raped her with the help of a date-rape drug.
This is just the latest in a long list of lawsuits filed against the rapper, who is currently awaiting trial at a detention center in Brooklyn, NY. The trial is set to begin on May 5.