Prosecutors Narrow Charges Against Sean “Diddy” Combs Ahead of Closing Arguments
Claim they are only “simplifying” charges for the jury
Federal prosecutors have narrowed their case against Sean “Diddy” Combs just days before closing arguments are set to begin, dropping several allegations tied to his racketeering charge. In a court filing Tuesday, June 24,the government informed U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that it would no longer pursue claims of attempted kidnapping, attempted arson, or aiding and abetting sex trafficking. The move comes as the prosecution seeks to streamline its case and simplify the legal instructions that will be presented to the jury.
“The Government understands the Court’s desire for streamlined instructions,” prosecutors wrote in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital. “The Government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability so instructions are no longer necessary.” Though these elements have been removed from the charges against Combs, the core allegations remain intact.
Combs still faces multiple serious counts, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani explained that the change is procedural, not substantive. “There are no charges being dropped,” he told Fox News Digital. “The prosecution’s legal theories are essentially the same. The government is no longer pursuing the attempted kidnapping and attempted arson as predicate acts for racketeering. But they can still argue that the completed kidnapping of Cassie Ventura and Capricorn Clark and the completed arson of Kid Cudi’s vehicle are RICO acts.” He added that the same applies to the sex trafficking count—the government is asserting that Combs directly trafficked victims rather than assisted others in doing so. “They’re simplifying the charges for the jury. This doesn’t really change anything,” Rahmani said.
The trial, which has lasted six weeks, featured testimony from Combs’ former partners and employees. Among the most closely watched was singer Cassie Ventura, who dated Combs from 2007 to 2018. Cassie, who testified under her legal name and appeared in court pregnant with her third child, spent four days on the stand describing what prosecutors allege were coerced sexual encounters arranged by Combs. These events, referred to in court as “freak offs” or “hotel nights,” were allegedly organized by Combs’ assistants and included drugs like MDMA, cocaine, and ecstasy.
Prosecutors argue that Combs used his business empire, including Combs Global, to run a criminal enterprise that trafficked women and intimidated potential whistleblowers. Several former staffers claimed they routinely arranged travel, hotel accommodations, and drug pickups for Combs, who then allegedly used those arrangements to facilitate sexual abuse.
Meanwhile, Combs’ defense team’s strategy has relied solely on undercutting the prosecution’s case. After presenting no witnesses of their own and relying solely on cross-examinations and submitted evidence, defense attorneys moved Tuesday for a full acquittal. Lead attorney Alexandra Shapiro argued that the government failed to establish that Combs’ employees knowingly took part in illegal activity. “There’s, at best, thin proof any of the other employees participated,” Shapiro said, adding that “there is no evidence any of them believed he was sex trafficking.”
A separate legal skirmish also unfolded Tuesday, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey raising concerns about potential topics during defense closing arguments. Comey asked the court to preemptively warn the defense against referencing political issues, government resources, or ongoing global conflicts. “I really don’t want to [object],” she said, “but I just wanted to say that if he did, I would object in the middle of his summation and ask the Court to instruct the jury to disregard any comments like that.” Judge Subramanian reminded the defense of a previous agreement to avoid such arguments. Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo replied, “Nothing to worry about, Judge.”
Both sides are expected to finalize jury instructions on Wednesday. Closing arguments will begin Thursday and are expected to carry over into Friday. Jurors could begin deliberations as early as Sunday, June 30. If convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison and potentially up to life.
