Prosecutors Deny Leaking Diddy Assault Video, Urge Judge to Dismiss Request for Hearing

In a recent court filing, federal prosecutors refuted claims that they leaked a video showing Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his former girlfriend in 2016. According to the document, prosecutors denied possessing the video when it surfaced on CNN in May 2024, calling Combs’ request for an evidentiary hearing an attempt to suppress “damning” evidence.

The filing states: “[T]he defendant argues baselessly that a video depicting the defendant’s assault of a victim at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles on March 5, 2016 was provided to a media outlet by Government agents,” dismissing Combs’ accusations as unfounded. Prosecutors emphasized that the video never entered their possession through grand jury processes and urged the judge to deny the hearing request.

Combs’ defense team contends that media leaks threaten his right to a fair trial. In addition, Combs has requested early disclosure of his accusers’ identities. Prosecutors, however, argued this is equivalent to an early witness list request, asserting that such disclosure could compromise witness safety. They accused Combs of “co-opting” the criminal case as a defense strategy in related civil suits.

Separately, a judge recently ruled against an anonymous plaintiff’s attempt to proceed under a pseudonym in a civil case against Combs, citing the “presumption of openness in judicial proceedings.”