Diddy Makes Another Attempt at Bail — and Lawyers Claim He Was 'Provoked' into Violence By Janelle Griffith

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ attorneys asked a judge on Tuesday, July 28, to release him on a $50 million bond while he awaits sentencing for a recent federal conviction on charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.

After Combs was acquitted of more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy on July 2, his attorneys sought his immediate release on bond prior to his sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 3. Judge Arun Subramanian denied his release at a bail hearing, saying Combs’ history of domestic violence showed he could pose a danger to others.

Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, under the Mann Act, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The law requires that a defendant convicted under the Mann Act be detained ahead of sentencing, unless there are “exceptional” reasons why it would be inappropriate. Additionally, in order to be released, a defendant must not pose a risk of flight or danger to the public.

In their motion filed Tuesday, Combs’ attorneys argue that there “are exceptional circumstances warranting a departure from mandatory detention,” and reiterated arguments they had made at trial, including that Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another former longtime girlfriend who testified at his trial under the pseudonym “Jane” had participated in a consensual swingers lifestyle and were not coerced into sex, as prosecutors had alleged.

“In the history of the statute, the Mann Act has never been applied to facts similar to these to prosecute or incarcerate any other person,” the defense’s motion says. Combs’ attorneys also say in the motion that for the last 75 years, the Mann Act — which was passed in 1910 — has been limited to cases involving “interstate travel for financial gain through the business of prostitution.”

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In their motion, Combs’ lawyers acknowledged he had been violent with Jane in June 2024, but said that he had been “provoked” by her “through her own acts of violence.” During the trial, Jane testified that she once pushed Combs’ head into a counter, prompting him to punch, kick, and choke her.

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Combs’ new $50 million bond proposal would be secured by his mansion in Miami, according to the motion. As part of the proposed package, Combs would also forfeit his passport and restrict his travel to the Southern District of Florida and the Southern District of New York for attorney meetings.

During the eight-week trial, prosecutors alleged Combs was the head of a criminal enterprise that committed such crimes as kidnapping, bribery and arson and that he forced Ventura and Jane to have sex with male escorts. Both women testified at his trial.

A 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs assaulting Ventura was among the evidence jurors were shown.

Prosecutors vehemently opposed Combs’ release at his bail hearing, and argued that he had been violent with Jane in June 2024 — even after his homes had been raided by federal agents and while he was aware that he was under investigation on sex trafficking allegations.

“The only things exceptional about this defendant are his wealth, his violence and his brazenness,” the lead prosecutor, Maurene Comey, told the judge at Combs’ bail hearing on July 2.

Following the trial, Comey — who had also prosecuted cases against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell — was fired. No official reason was given for her dismissal.