Jay-Z and Other Close Friends of Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs Could Face Subpoenas, Former Prosecutor Reveals
Federal officials arrested hip-hop mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs in September 2024 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Homeland Security raided two of Combs’ properties in March 2024, which eventually led to his arrest. Now, a former prosecutor suspects that some of Combs’ famous friends should expect to face subpoenas.
Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs’ famous friends, like Jay-Z, could face subpoenas
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs faces serious charges that could put him in prison for 15 years to life. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which included racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. His alleged “freak-offs” are at the center of the trial. According to prosecutors, Combs conducted coerced sex acts that he recorded.
“The ‘freak offs’ sometimes lasted days at a time, involved multiple commercial sex workers, and often involved a variety of narcotics such as ketamine, ecstasy, and GHB, which Combs distributed to the victims to keep them obedient and compliant,” U.S. attorney Damian Williams stated, according to NBC News.
Unfortunately, Combs’s high-profile friends might have to appear in court. Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani, the President of West Coast Trial Lawyers, spoke to The U.S. Sun about the situation.
“Jay-Z and other celebrities can be subpoenaed, but they will almost certainly assert their Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and refuse to testify,” Rahmani explained. “People who participated in the sex acts should especially be afraid because they can also be charged with sex trafficking or prostitution, depending on whether they used threats or force against the victims.”
Rahmani added that if Jay-Z is “just a witness” and didn’t participate in the “freak-offs,” he could be subjected to a subpoena to testify. However, the prosecutor suspects Jay-Z won’t be subpoenaed if he participated.
“If you’re a prosecutor, you don’t want witnesses who participated in criminal activity but are getting a pass,” Rahmani continued.
Jennifer Lopez might also get subpoenaed
Other high-profile stars aside from Jay-Z might receive calls to testify in Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ court case. Jennifer Lopez and Combs met on the set of Lopez’s “If You Had My Love” music video in 1999 and dated until 2021. They sustained a friendship for years after their relationship ended.
So, why might Lopez receive a call from Combs’ lawyers? She and Combs had involvement in a nightclub shooting in 1999.
“Jennifer Lopez’s presence the night of the shooting incident and then departing in the same vehicle as Combs makes her a witness with firsthand knowledge and could subject her to being subpoenaed to testify under oath,” New York lawyer Pete Gleason told In Touch Weekly. “If there are any criminal charges or civil claims not outside the statute of limitations, this would likely prove problematic for Lopez.”
Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs continues to get denied bail
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs hoped to receive bail, but the judges continued to deny him. The hip-hop star was first denied bail on Sept. 17, 2024, and another judge denied him on Sept. 18, 2024. Combs resides at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which his lawyers described as “horrific,” according to People.
His lawyers wanted the judges to allow Combs to live at his home in Florida. Combs would have a round-the-clock security team monitoring who enters the house. The hip-hop mogul offered to give up access to his phone or internet. Unfortunately for Combs, he was labeled a significant flight risk.
“There is no condition or combination of conditions to ensure he will not obstruct justice or tamper with witnesses,” Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr., said.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
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