Latest news with #RICO
Fox News
12 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Diddy's 'dream team' defense could cost him $15M: expert
Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team for his sex-trafficking and racketeering trial in New York is stacked with a high-profile group of lawyers. Marc Agnifilo, who represented NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, and Brian Steel, who recently represented rapper Young Thug, are among the team of lawyers listed on Diddy's court docket. The others include Teny Geragos, Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier R. Donaldson and Alexandra Shapiro. Since the musician has a hefty legal team, experts have estimated the price tag for his eight-week trial and months of pretrial motions and preparations will cost him a pretty penny. Civil rights and criminal defense attorney Adante Pointer told Fox News Digital that he believes Combs' legal tab will top $10 million. "When you consider the severity of the potential punishment Diddy is facing if convicted, including life in prison, and the sprawling indictment which alleges RICO charges along with the number of witnesses and locations of the conduct being prosecuted, it's easy to see the legal tab topping $10 million," Pointer said. "I'd suspect Diddy will end up paying at least $15 million for the entire package. This is literally a 'money is no object' defense." The lawyer claimed that Combs' legal tab began "well before" his indictment was made public. "You don't become a billionaire by being clueless and not preparing for a legal battle that will put your life, legacy and wealth on the line. His bill started growing the moment he began conversations with lawyers, their legal staff, private investigators, potential witnesses and all the pretrial preparation that goes into such a complicated case long before it ever went before a jury," Pointer said. Pointer said the group of eight lawyers are likely on Combs' "beck-and-call" with one goal: allowing Combs to walk out of the courtroom a free man. "And that costs a lot of money," Pointer said. Criminal defense attorney John Day compared Combs' case with Alec Baldwin's lawyer Alex Spiro's rate. "By comparison, Alec Baldwin's lawyer, Alex Spiro, was reportedly charging similar clients over $2,000 per hour or roughly about $80,000 a week. And Diddy is no regular client with his life and career on the line. "This kind of intensive work by lawyers on such a complicated case keeps them from taking on other high-paying clients, and I'm sure they're also paying for publicists since this is playing out in the court of public opinion, as well, and everyone is watching," Day said. He told Fox News Digital that he estimates Combs' trial will cost him $15 million "for the entire package." "This is literally a 'money is no object' defense," Day said. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital that Combs will drop eight figures when his trial is all said and done. "Top-tier criminal defense attorneys like Marc Agnifilo and Brian Steel may charge retainers of $1 million or more in complex federal cases like this. In addition to those two, Combs has a small army of lawyers working on the trial," Rahmani said. He estimated Combs' net worth at about $1 billion before his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, accused the rapper of rape in 2018 and domestic abuse. "Combs' life is literally on the line, so money is no object, and he has assembled his version of a 'dream team.'" "The trial is estimated to last up to two months, and the daily cost for all the lawyers, paralegals, assistants, experts and jury consultants may exceed $100,000 for each day of trial. That's not even counting the many months of pretrial work and preparation and the inevitable appeal to the Second Circuit, Supreme Court and lobbying President Trump for a pardon if Combs is convicted," Rahmani said. Combs' sex-trafficking trial began on May 12 with opening statements and is expected to last two months. The rapper is being charged with multiple counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transporting for prostitution in September.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Is a Trump pardon for Sean Diddy Combs on the table? Here's when and how it might happen
Trump: 'I would certainly look at the facts' Live Events Diddy Combs trial: A powerful trial still unfolding Trump's long list of pardons — and a hint of history A fractured relationship, but no grudge (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Would US President Donald Trump pardon Diddy? That was the question posed to him on Friday, and the US President didn't rule it out. 'Nobody's asked. But I know people are thinking about it,' he said, during a White House press added, 'First of all, I'd look at what's happening, and I haven't been watching it too closely, although it's certainly getting a lot of coverage.'Trump's response came as Sean "Diddy" Combs continues to stand trial in New York on serious federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting individuals for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five felony not having spoken to Combs in years, Trump made it clear that personal relationships wouldn't influence his stance. 'I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years,' he told reporters. 'He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics… that relationship busted up, from what I read. I don't know — he didn't tell me that, but I'd read some little bit nasty statements.'He reiterated: 'I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me.'That line, said while standing in front of a White House backdrop celebrating Elon Musk, hinted at Trump's current streak of issuing high-profile pardons, many of which have stirred 55, was arrested in 2024 after a wide-ranging federal investigation. His indictment was unsealed on 17 September. Prosecutors allege he operated a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Charges include racketeering under the RICO statute and the transportation of individuals for trial, which began in May and is expected to continue through the summer, has already delivered graphic, emotional former girlfriend, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, testified about years of alleged abuse, including violent outbursts and drug-fuelled sex sessions involving other men, referred to as 'freak-offs.' She spoke of coercion and physical violence that spanned several Thursday, a witness named Mia, who worked for Combs between 2009 and 2017, described how her job turned into a nightmare. She testified about tending to Cassie's injuries — 'busted lips,' 'bruises,' and 'a black eye.' Mia said, 'We were not allowed to go out until her injuries healed enough to conceal.' She also alleged that she, too, was raped while working under his return to the presidency in January, Trump has granted pardons at a remarkable pace. Just last week, he pardoned 17 individuals and commuted the sentences of nine others. Among those were reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted of tax evasion and bank suggestion of a pardon for Combs emerged as part of a broader wave of speculation — partly driven by Diddy's supporters and, notably, by Suge Knight, former CEO of Death Row Records. Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year sentence, recently told NewsNation that Combs may have 'some favours with the government' and might get 'a little leeway.' He added, 'I don't think he's worried, because he's going to be federal. And if he gets convicted, Trump's going to pardon him.'Fox News reporter Peter Doocy raised the question at Friday's briefing. Trump admitted that 'people have been very close to asking' for a pardon but insisted again that he'd base his decision only on the from the 1990s show Trump and Combs sharing the same circles — even watching the 1997 US Open together with their partners, Melania Trump and Kim Porter. But Trump says the friendship didn't survive his shift into politics.'You become a much different person when you run for politics, and you do what's right,' Trump said. 'I could do other things, and I'm sure he'd like me, and I'm sure other people would like me, but it wouldn't be as good for our country.'Though he's kept his distance from the Combs case publicly, the former president's comments on Friday signal that the door is not closed. Whether he will intervene — or let the trial run its course — remains to be seen.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump reveals when and how he would consider pardoning Sean ‘Diddy' Combs
Donald Trump, speaking to reporters Friday afternoon, said he'd be open to considering a presidential pardon for Sean 'Diddy' Combs, but there's some catch. The POTUS didn't confirm any action is currently in motion but said, 'I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated,' when asked whether he'd consider a pardon for Diddy. 'It's not a popularity contest,' Trump added. 'Whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me.' Notably, this comes when Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Trump about his previous ties to Diddy and whether that history might influence a potential pardon. 'I know people are thinking about it. I know that they're thinking about it. I think people have been very close to asking,' Trump noted. ALSO READ| When Diddy met Britney: Resurfaced pics show the pair partying before Spears' shocking MTV VMAs 2007 performance 'First of all, I'd look at what's happening, and I haven't been watching it too closely, although it's certainly getting a lot of coverage,' Trump responded to Doocy's pressing questions. The disgraced music mogul is currently facing serious federal charges outlined in an indictment unsealed on 17 September. The list includes racketeering conspiracy under the RICO statute, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, Combs could be sentenced to at least 15 years in prison, with the possibility of life behind bars. Combs has denied all the charges as the ongoing trial has included disturbing allegations from multiple witnesses involving rape, physical abuse, forced labor, and drug trafficking. The Prez clarified in front of the reporters, 'I haven't seen him. I haven't spoken to him in years.' He then recalled when Diddy 'used to really like me a lot,' but when 'I think when I ran for politics … that relationship busted up.' Trump even recalled reading 'some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.' ALSO READ| Second woman tells jury Sean 'Diddy' Combs raped her 'You become a much different person when you run for politics, and you do what's right,' Trump explained. 'I could do other things, and I'm sure he'd like me, and I'm sure other people would like me, but it wouldn't be as good for our country.'
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trump answers whether he would consider a Diddy pardon
Speaking with members of the press on Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump floated the possibility of issuing a presidential pardon to disgraced rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, saying "it's not a popularity contest" and "I would certainly look at the facts" if asked. In a federal indictment unsealed on Sept. 17, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison. He has maintained his innocence throughout the ongoing trial in which witnesses have testified to alleged rape, sexual assault, severe physical abuse, forced labor and drug trafficking. Ex-assistant's Harrowing Testimony Exposes Alleged Abuse, Forced Labor And Drug Trafficking By Diddy: Expert In response to a question by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy about his previous friendship with Diddy and whether he would consider a pardon of the former rapper, Trump indicated that he would consider "if I think somebody was mistreated." The president said that so far "nobody's asked" for any such pardon, but noted: "I know people are thinking about it. I know that they're thinking about it. I think people have been very close to asking." Read On The Fox News App "First of all, I'd look at what's happening, and I haven't been watching it too closely, although it's certainly getting a lot of coverage," said Trump. Usher, Obama Name-dropped In Diddy's Trial As Sex Trafficking Case Heats Up "I haven't seen him. I haven't spoken to him in years," he went on, adding that Diddy "used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics … that relationship busted up." Trump said that though he never had a falling out with Diddy per se, after entering politics, he would "read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden." "It's different," he went on. "You become a much different person when you run for politics, and you do what's right. I could do other things, and I'm sure he'd like me, and I'm sure other people would like me, but it wouldn't be as good for our country." Diddy Ex-assistant Capricorn Clark Delivers 'Most Explosive' Testimony Yet In Rapper's Federal Trial: Expert "As we said, our country is doing really well because of what we're doing, so it's not a popularity contest, so I don't know, I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated. Whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me," Trump article source: Trump answers whether he would consider a Diddy pardon
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Honolulu agency warns against illegal construction activity
The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting urges the public to take care when hiring contractors, designers, architects and engineers for building projects. DPP says some of these construction professionals actually may be engaged in illegal activities—a problem that could prove costly to unsuspecting homeowners. But if discovered and reported, the illegitimate construction contractors could pay as well. This reminder, according to DPP, comes in the wake of recent disciplinary actions by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, including a case involving falsified licensing and unlawful permitting practices. DCCA and its respective state boards and commissions recently released a summary of disciplinary actions taken through April, DPP says. Among them was a $10, 000 fine levied against a business owner who, according to the DCCA's Regulated Industries Complaint Office, was aiding and abetting an unlicensed contractor on Oahu. In this instance, RICO investigations allege the business owner—identified as Alex G. Ramos, doing business as Triple A Electrical Service—obtained permits on behalf of the unlicensed contractor across multiple projects, putting them in violation of state law. In April that RICO case ended in a state Contractors License Board-approved settlement agreement with Ramos—who did not admit to violating any law or rule, but agreed to pay a $10, 000 fine to DCCA's 'compliance resolution fund, ' the settlement document states. DPP claims its building inspectors were the first to identify the unlicensed contractors and took immediate action by initiating revocations. 'Hiring an unlicensed contractor or design professional may seem like a way to save money upfront, but it can lead to serious consequences and additional corrective expenses down the line, ' DPP Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna said in a statement. 'The DPP is committed to collaborating with the DCCA to identify these contractors and hold them accountable for their illegal actions.' As part of these efforts, DPP offers tips to help homeowners verify whether a contractor is properly licensed and operating legally. Homeowners looking to build or renovate their property should evaluate the following steps before hiring any contractor :—Verify licenses. Ensure contractor and design professionals hold a valid license with the DCCA that is 'Current, Valid and in Good Standing.' Visit DCCA's Professional and Vocational Licensing Search to confirm credentials.—Check for complaints or disciplinary actions. To do so, use RICO's resources to research past complaints and enforcement actions.—Get multiple bids. Compare estimates from multiple licensed contractors and professionals. Be cautious of bids that are too low and seem too good to be true.—Insist on written contracts and estimates. Avoid contracts that are vague and only show the total cost of the work. To better understand the work to be done, contracts and estimates should provide separate and specific descriptions of the various items to be performed, including payment terms, project timelines and permits required. Structure payments so they are done after work has been satisfactorily performed and appropriate inspections have been completed.—Confirm building permits. Request to review all plans and permit submittal documents before they are submitted to the city or state for approvals. Keep paper and electronic copies of all documents and approved permits.—Be wary of numerous excuses for why delays are occurring and frequent requests for more money. DPP says projects that require permits but proceed without them will be issued a stop-work order and cited for work without a permit. 'Construction cannot continue until a proper permit is obtained through legitimate channels, ' DPP spokesperson Davis Pitner told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser via email. 'If the issue is not resolved, a notice of order will be issued to compel compliance.' He added that 'in cases where an unlicensed contractor is involved, the matter may be referred to RICO for further investigation and action.' 'There will always be those who want to skirt the law for larger profits but for the most part the majority of contractors do the right thing and follow the law, ' Pitner said. 'DPP's concern is with homeowners being taken advantage of, misinformed /misled, and /or receiving faulty or not up to code construction.' He asserted the number of cases or incidents DPP has investigated in the past year or so involving unlicensed contractors or other illegitimate building professionals has increased slightly. 'This hasn't been a common occurrence but we're seeing an uptick, ' Pitner said. 'Each case is different based on the circumstances but are dealt with appropriately, whether it is revoking a building permit, issuing a violation, and /or reporting the unlicensed work to the DCCA for further investigation.' Ashton Stallings, a DCCA communications specialist, said her agency continues to deal with these cases. 'Each year, hundreds of complaints are received concerning unscrupulous and unlicensed contractors targeting and scamming consumers, ' she told the Star-Advertiser via email. 'The subject of contracting is consistently among the top three of all the industry complaints received by RICO annually.' In past years, DPP had noted issues with its third-party reviewers—licensed professionals brought in to help relieve staffing shortages as well as reduce its months-long building permit process. During a June 2023 City Council Zoning Committee meeting, Takeuchi Apuna told the panel that third-party reviewers—who are not regular DPP staff—review specific codes like mechanical, electrical and structural for commercial projects, and work on residential projects and the city's land use ordinance. But on April 11, 2023, DPP faulted a third-party reviewer for granting an unwarranted building permit. DPP said local architect Jimmy Wu—working on behalf of the city—reviewed and certified plans for what was later deemed a 'monster home ' in the Kalihi area. DPP issued a building permit on March 28, 2022, for the project at 1532 Hanai Loop. Based on an inquiry from Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam and former state Rep. John Mizuno, DPP 're-reviewed ' the plans and determined incorrect information was provided to DPP by the project applicants and that the planned two-story, single-family home with nine bathrooms, no side yards and insufficient parking was a gross violation of the city's 'monster homes ' ordinance, the city said. DPP revoked the project's building permit and issued a notice of violation and a stop-work order to the owners, Junqin Chen and Maonan Wang. This week, DPP said it was still reviewing its future use of third-party reviewers. 'DPP is doing its best to streamline and expedite building permit reviews so that the capacity provided by third-party reviewers is unnecessary, ' Pitner said. 'In time, DPP will be the best option for property owners when it comes to building permit review.' Homeowners are encouraged to contact the DPP or visit for resources on permitting, inspections and selecting licensed professionals. For information regarding contractor legitimacy, visit DCCA at or visit RICO at.
