Diddy Is Reportedly Urgently Seeking A Black Female Attorney To Join His Legal Team As Trial Draws Near
Sean "Diddy" Combs is reportedly in search of a Black female lawyer to join his legal team, less than 3 weeks before his criminal trial commences.
The embattled rapper was recently slammed with two more charges, as reports suggest his infamous freak-off party videos could be brought up in court.
This comes after a report shared some insight into Sean "Diddy" Combs' prison lifestyle, including the kind of currency he uses while locked up.
According to a TMZ report, Diddy is looking to add a Black female lawyer to his defense team, which already boasts of legal bigwigs Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos.
The "Finna Get Loose" rapper is set to stand trial for his alleged sex crimes in about 3 weeks and is looking to bolster his current trial team after one member of his team, Anthony Ricco, quit the role in February.
Diddy's lawyers have brought up the issue of race in his case, accusing the feds of targeting him because he's a rich, successful black man.
It appears his hunt for a Black female lawyer is to ensure a diverse representation amongst his legal counsel, as Agnifilo and Geragos are both white.
However, the new addition is said not to be just for appearance as the lawyer must also know her onions and be ready to hit the road running when his trial kicks off.
Regardless of who else joins the team, Agnifilo and Geragos will continue to be Diddy's lead counselors.
Amid Diddy's search for a Black female lawyer, the rapper has hired a new attorney.
According to reports, Bryan Steel, the attorney who helped famous rapper Young Thug during his RICO trial, is set to join Diddy's defense team.
Legal journalist Meghann Cuniff, known for her up-to-date posts on X (formerly Twitter) about hip-hop trials, shared the news.
She wrote, "Here's something I didn't expect to write: Young Thug's lawyer Brian Steel has joined Sean 'Diddy' Combs' criminal defense team."
Steel made headlines last year after being given jail time when a judge held him in contempt of court for refusing to reveal an information source.
On Tuesday, Steel referenced this incident in a court filing seeking permission to join Diddy's team. He claimed that "the judge wrongfully ordered that I reveal privileged information."
"The misdemeanor contempt conviction was reversed by unanimous Supreme Court of Georgia," the attorney added, according to the court documents shared online by Cuniff.
Earlier this month, Diddy's criminal case took a worsening turn as he was hit with extra charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution, bringing the total number of charges leveled against him to 5.
According to the Daily Mail, the updated indictment accuses the rapper of one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The new sex trafficking count claims the 55-year-old rapper caused a person identified as "Victim 2" to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing they only did so due to "force, fraud, and coercion."
The transportation to engage in prostitution count claims he "willfully caused the transportation of multiple individuals with the intent that they engage in prostitution."
Diddy pleaded not guilty to the expanded indictment at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan.
Diddy remains locked away at the notorious Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center following his arrest in New York back in September.
If found guilty on the federal charges against him, the rapper faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and up to life behind bars.
Manhattan Federal Judge Arun Subramanian said that Diddy's trial will start on May 12, where opening statements will be heard, but jury selection will begin a week earlier.
However, his lawyers have asked the judge to push the start at least 2 weeks to allow them to review emails they want an alleged victim to turn over.
The judge, however, noted that if the defense wants an extension, it must submit a formal request within two days.
"We are a freight train moving towards trial," the judge said, per the Associated Press.
Aside from his federal criminal indictment, Diddy faces dozens of civil lawsuits by women and men who accused him of sexual abuse.
The alleged abuse included individuals who claimed they were forced to take part in recorded sexual performances called "freak offs" with male sex workers, who were sometimes transported from other states.
Reports suggest videos from his infamous "freak offs" could possibly be shown to the jury when the trial begins in May.
According to the Associated Press, Diddy's lawyers submitted a questionnaire containing 70 questions to gain information about potential jurors earlier this month.
Part of the question they asked was the jurors' viewpoints on individuals with more than one sex partner.
Another question they asked was if any of the potential jurors were willing to watch sexually explicit videos or clips that depict sexual assault.
However, prosecutors have contested the questionnaire, saying it was too long and could be difficult for jurors to understand.
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