Cassie's Lawyer Has Asked Judge to Keep Diddy in Prison: Here's Why

Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s lawyer is asking the judge in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial to deny his release on bond after the music mogul was convicted of prostitution charges on Wednesday, July 2.

In a letter submitted to Judge Arun Subramanian, Douglas Wigdor shared Ventura’s concern that her ex-boyfriend could pose a danger to her or others.

“Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community,” Wigdor wrote in the letter reviewed by PEOPLE.

Ventura, the prosecution’s star witness, testified against Combs for days, recounting in harrowing detail the alleged rape, physical assault, sexual assault and abuse she endured at the hands of the Bad Boy Records founder, whom she dated for a decade. She testified while eight months pregnant and soon afterwards gave birth to a son.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Combs forced or coerced multiple women — including Ventura and another who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” — to take part in choreographed sex acts involving male escorts, referred to in court as “freak offs” or “hotel nights.”

In a statement shared to the media after the verdict was read, Wigdor praised Ventura’s bravery in testifying.

“By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,” Wigdor said. “We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial.”

The defense also submitted a letter to Judge Subramanian, requesting that Combs be released from custody immediately on a $1 million bond co-signed by his mother, sister, and the mother of his eldest daughter.

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Combs would be restricted to traveling only in Florida, California and New York, and would surrender his passport and be subjected to regular drug testing under the defense’s proposed conditions, per the letter reviewed by PEOPLE. The attorneys contend that Combs is not a flight risk, and argue he has demonstrated “trustworthiness and cooperation” throughout the government’s prosecution of him.

Earlier on Wednesday, jurors found Combs guilty on prostitution charges related to Ventura and Jane, but acquitted him of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges. Combs could still face a maximum of 20 years for the charges he was convicted on — 10 years for each count. 

Defense attorneys note the Mann Act offenses he was convicted on have much less “sentencing exposure” than the weightier racketeering and sex trafficking charges he was acquitted of. A legal expert predicted to PEOPLE that Combs will ultimately serve little to no time in prison.

Parties are expected back in Manhattan federal court at 5 p.m. Wednesday to discuss Combs’ potential release.

Over the course of Combs’ trial, prosecutors called nearly three dozen witnesses across the span of 29 days of testimony. Defense attorneys did not call any witnesses, instead using cross-examination to undermine the prosecution’s case.

Combs still faces several civil suits accusing him of sexual misconduct, which he has repeatedly denied.