Embattled hip-hop mogul Diddy has filed an appeal against a judge’s decision to deny his bail, pledging to undergo weekly drug testing and to restrict visitors to family members only amid his s*x trafficking and racketeering case.
The 54-year-old was led out of court on Tuesday after New York Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky concurred with prosecutors that Combs posed a significant flight risk and a danger to the community following his arrest on Monday night.
Prosecutors, in a letter released on Tuesday, alleged that Combs had contacted victims and witnesses in the months prior to his arrest, seeking their “friendship and support” and sometimes manipulating them with “false narratives.”
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, proposed a substantial bail package, including a $50 million bond secured by his $48 million Miami mansion, the equity in his mother’s Florida condo, and the passports of Combs and his four daughters.
Agnifilo urged the court to trust Combs, highlighting his efforts to demonstrate he was not a flight risk. However, Judge Tarnofsky cited the severity of the charges and Combs’ apparent “anger issues” in denying bail. “Your lawyer asked us to trust you—[I don’t think] you can trust yourself,” she said. “Your lawyer can’t control you.”
On Wednesday, Agnifilo submitted new paperwork appealing the decision. Combs is scheduled to appear before Judge Andrew Carter later that day. Alongside the original bail package, Agnifilo proposed additional restrictions to address concerns about Combs being a danger to the community and potentially contacting victims and witnesses.
Combs agreed to weekly drug testing in response to allegations of substance abuse, with prosecutors claiming a pink powdery substance was found in his hotel room following his arrest. Although the substance’s identity has not been confirmed, it resembled drugs found in his Miami mansion during a March raid.
If granted release on house arrest, Combs’ visitors at his Miami estate would be limited to “family, property caretakers, and friends not considered co-conspirators,” as stated in Agnifilo’s letter to the judge. No women outside family members or the mothers of his children would be permitted to visit. Additionally, Combs’ personal security would maintain a visitor log to be submitted to the court nightly.
After Combs was remanded into custody, Agnifilo vowed to contest the decision. “Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this until the end. He is innocent,” the lawyer asserted. “We’re going to fight this case with everything we have.”
