A US judge denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to postpone his upcoming sex-trafficking trial by two months.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the hip-hop mogul’s request came too close to his trial. Jury selection is slated to start on May 5, with opening remarks on May 12.
Diddy, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office claim Combs used his business empire to sexually abuse women between 2004 and 2024.
According to Diddy”s lawyers, the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual.
In a court filing on Wednesday, Agnifilo requested a delay in the trial to prepare for new charges brought on April 4.
The defence also requested more time to review emails from the alleged victim.
Federal prosecutors opposed any delay, stating in a Thursday court filing that the extra accusations presented earlier this month did not amount to substantially new behaviour and that Combs had no right to access the claimed victim’s correspondence.
At Thursday’s hearing, Subramanian also granted prosecutors’ request that some claimed victims testify under pseudonyms to safeguard their privacy during the trial.
Combs, also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, created Bad Boy Records and is credited with helping rappers and R&B singers such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher become famous in the 1990s and 2000s.
But prosecutors have argued his success disguised a sinister side. They claim that his alleged abuse included forcing women to participate in videotaped sexual performances known as “freak offs” with male sex workers, who were sometimes transferred over state boundaries.
Combs has been imprisoned in Brooklyn since September. Following the hearing, he turned to chat with his mother and supporters, one of whom wore a black hoodie with the words “Free Puff”.
“I love you all,” Diddy said, blowing a kiss, before being led away by U.S. Marshals.
