Legal Battle Over Federal Charges
Sean "Diddy" Combs is pushing back against one of the three federal charges filed against him, arguing that the prosecution is racially motivated. His legal team contends that “no white person has ever been targeted for a similar case” under the Mann Act.
New Legal Motion
According to a legal document filed Tuesday night and reviewed by Variety, Combs' defense argues that “there has never been a similar prosecution under RICO” and claims he is being singled out as a “powerful Black man” while facing accusations that often go unpunished for others.
The motion primarily challenges the third charge, which alleges that from 2009 to 2024, Combs transported individuals for prostitution. His legal team insists that the encounters between his partners and male escorts, arranged through a legal service, were consensual.
Allegations of Selective Prosecution
Combs' defense argues that many couples, including celebrities, engage third parties in their relationships, sometimes involving explicit or indirect remuneration, yet are not prosecuted.
According to the legal document, “Successful white men, such as former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, had engaged in similar activities without being charged under the Mann Act.”
His legal team is requesting the dismissal of this charge, emphasizing that the Mann Act “has a history of racist practices” and is also known as the White Slave Traffic Act.
“This prosecution is yet another example where [the Mann Act] has been used against a prominent Black man,” the report concludes.
Combs’ Court Journey
Combs remains in custody in Brooklyn as he awaits his trial in May.
In September 2024, the following charges were brought against him:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Sex trafficking through coercion, fraud, or duress
- Transporting individuals for involvement in prostitution
The case continues to spark strong reactions, with the defense maintaining that Combs is being treated differently due to racial bias.
