Diddy has been denied bond and will remain behind bars until the trial for charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Appearing in court shortly after his arrest on Tuesday (September 17), the AP reported the embattled mogul pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his legal team proposed a $50 million bond.
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Instead of cash, he offered his $48 million mansion in Miami and his mother’s home as collateral. He also said he was willing to wear a GPS monitor, and limit his travel to South Florida and the NYC area.
However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said the government wants him to remain in custody for “multiple” reasons, which included the severity of the charges, his potential for life in prison and a risk of flight and witness intimidation.
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In their argument, Diddy’s defense team noted that their client came to New York in anticipation of the charges, proving he was being cooperative.
“He is not a perfect person. There has been drug use. He has been in toxic relationships,” his attorney Marc Agnifilo said, adding that his client is receiving “treatment and therapy for things that he needs treatment and therapy for.”
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Agnifilo also said he spoke to multiple men involved in the “freak-offs” at the center of the case, and that everything was consensual.
“Is it sex trafficking? Not if everybody wants to be there,” he said. “We are not better off if the federal government comes into our bedrooms. They don’t do good there. That’s what they’re doing. They’re coming into Mr. Combs’ bedroom.”
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Ultimately, Judge Robyn Tarnofsky decided to deny his bond, noting she has “very significant concerns” about Combs’ substance abuse and “what appears to be anger issues.”
She also said she considered alternatives, but didn’t “think it’s sufficient because so much of what’s alleged happened behind closed doors.”
According to TMZ, a pink powder that tested positive for Ecstasy was among multiple drugs found in Diddy’s hotel room upon his arrest.
Diddy, whose sons Justin, Christian and Quincy were present in the courtroom, turned toward his family as he was led out by marshals.
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Speaking to the press afterward, Agnifilo said: “Mr. Combs is a fighter, he’s going to fight this until the end, he’s innocent. We’re going to fight this case with everything we have, as is he.”
He said they are appealing the decision to hold Combs without bail. A bail review hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (September 18) with a different judge.
