Joe Yates
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
Diddy's lawyer has quit less than three months before the disgraced rapper's trial takes place.
Anthony Ricco has decided to step down from Diddy's, real name Sean Combs, legal team as he released a shocking statement.
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In the motion for withdrawing as a representative for the 55-year-old, the filing dated yesterday (February 20) read in part: "On September 22, 2024, I was retained by the defendant, Sean Combs, to serve as his counsel, and I have served as his counsel since that time."
It went on: "For the reasons set forth below, this motion for withdrawal is filed so that Sean Combs may move forward with his defense and to commence jury selection and trial without any delay."
Listing why he should be relived, Ricco explains that the move has come following a discussion with Combs' lead counsel Mark Agnifilo, they agreed he should withdraw.
Adding: "While I am aware that the Local Rule requires that an application for withdrawal of counsel is supported and granted 'only upon a showing by affidavit or otherwise of satisfactory reasons for withdrawal,' there are sufficient reasons (related to the protections afforded by the attorney/client privilege) for brevity in my application for withdrawal as counsel in this case.
"Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs, consistent with the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice.
"This motion for withdrawal of counsel, if granted, will not result in a delay of the present schedule for the commencement of jury selection and trial, or the present schedules for briefing of pre- trial legal issues. As a result, there will be no lapse in representation, as Sean Combs will continue to be represented by five other attorneys of record."
It comes as Diddy was indicted by a grand jury following his arrest at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan back in September.
Combs has been charged with racketeering and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, charges he's continued to deny.
The indictment accuses Combs and others in his enterprise of 'wield[ing] the power and prestige of Combs' role at the Combs Business to intimidate, threaten and lure female victims into Combs' orbit, often under the pretence of a romantic relationship'.
With the 'assistance of members and associates', the document claims Combs 'transported commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally' and 'then used force, threats of force, and coercion, to cause victims to engage in extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers that Combs referred to as, among other things, 'freak offs'.'
Combs remains in jail as he awaits trial - due to take place on May 5.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org