Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs have requested that a judge impose a gag order to prevent attorneys representing alleged victims from making public statements.
In a letter filed on Tuesday, April 29, Combs’ legal team argued that despite their earlier request for a gag order, several attorneys representing victims and witnesses have continued to make public comments that could influence the jury. They accused these lawyers of engaging in “negative publicity” that harms their client’s case.
Combs’ team specifically named attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents Combs’ ex, Cassie Ventura, for speaking to the media. In the letter to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs’ lawyers warned that without a court order, the public statements would likely escalate as the trial approaches.
“Indeed, in recent weeks, lawyers for government witnesses have commented on pretrial litigation and continued to broadcast prejudicial statements,” they wrote.
The lawyers highlighted Wigdor’s comments regarding the surveillance video from a 2016 incident in which Combs is seen allegedly pulling and dragging Ventura by the hair inside a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Ventura is reportedly attempting to escape during the altercation. Despite Combs’ defense attorneys arguing to keep the video out of court, the judge ruled that it would remain as evidence.
This ruling is a setback for Combs, as his attorneys claim the video, which initially aired on CNN, was “edited” and “manipulated.”
Wigdor responded to the gag order request, telling DailyMail.com that he intends to oppose the motion. “We will vigorously oppose the motion seeking an extraordinary sweeping gag order, as it is an obvious attempt at controlling and silencing victims and their counsel in contravention of well-established legal and ethical precedent,” he said. “It should come as no surprise that Combs fails to cite even one case to support his request.”
Defense lawyers also criticized Lisa Bloom, who represents another prosecution witness, although the individual has not been named. Bloom is known to represent Dawn Richard, a former member of Combs’ girl group, Danity Kane.