Embattled rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has suffered a setback in his bid to show his innocence after one in all his attorneys exited his authorized group with a mysterious assertion.
Diddy’s lawyer, Anthony Ricco, filed a movement for withdraw of counsel on Friday, although his actions will not delay the present trial schedule.
The setback comes amid a latest authorized victory for Diddy after one in all his accusers voluntarily withdrew her case towards him and Jay-Z.
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Anthony Ricco Steps Down As Diddy’s Counsel
BREAKING: Diddy’s lawyer, Anthony Ricco, has resigned following Kash Patel’s appointment to the FBI.
Anthony Ricco acknowledged, “Certainly not can I proceed.” pic.twitter.com/csgZwiKPYX
— aka (@akafaceUS) February 21, 2025
Rico filed a movement for withdraw of counsel in New York, stating that he would not proceed his companies to Diddy below any circumstances.
Based on paperwork obtained by The Mirror US, Ricco stated, “Certainly not can I proceed to successfully function counsel for Sean Combs.”
The paperwork additionally acknowledged that Ricco held discussions with Diddy’s lead counsel, Mark Agnifilo, earlier than submitting the movement.
The outlet additionally reported that Ricco declined to supply particulars to assist the applying and stated his determination to step down will not have an effect on the present schedule for the trial, which is able to start on Could 5.
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Anthony Ricco Cites Moral Issues
Within the courtroom doc, the legal professional clarified that he has “offered Sean Combs with excessive stage of authorized illustration anticipated by the courtroom.”
He added that “in no way” may he proceed to “successfully function counsel for Sean Combs, in step with the ABA Requirements for Prison Justice.”
Signing off the doc, Ricco wrote, “WHEREFORE, it’s respectfully however regrettably requested that the courtroom grant the reduction requested within the annexed discover of movement, and allow counsel Anthony L. Ricco to withdraw as legal professional of document.”
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Reactions To Diddy’s Lawyer’s Resolution To Step Down
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After information of Ricco’s exit from Diddy’s authorized group made headlines, a number of Redditors took turns attempting to interpret his actions.
Some individuals shared their ideas within the Music subreddit, which is comprised of over 37 million members.
One Redditor stated, “Most probably, the lawyer discovered Diddy was committing different crimes like witness tampering/intimidation/bribery/extortion, informed Diddy to cease instantly, which he refused to.”
One other individual felt extra attorneys would go away Diddy’s authorized group. They wrote, “That is commonplace for delays in instances. He could have a number of attorneys give up earlier than he really sees a courtroom.”
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A 3rd Redditor added, “Why am I not shocked? They will need to have some severe proof that he is responsible if they will not grant him bail. And it is dangerous when his personal associates aren’t coming to his protection.”
They added, “I will wager if he is discovered responsible and going through severe time in jail, he’ll promote out his associates to get a while diminished. Both method, he is performed for.”
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Diddy’s Rape Accuser Withdraws Case
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Ricco’s determination to step down as Diddy’s authorized counsel comes when the incarcerated music mogul gained a small authorized victory.
On February 14, an unidentified girl, who accused Diddy and Jay-Z of raping her when she was 13 years outdated in 2000, voluntarily withdrew her case.
Within the submitting, the plaintiff, recognized as Jane Doe, dismissed the case with prejudice, which means the lawsuit can by no means be refiled in its present kind.
Following the case’s withdrawal, Diddy’s authorized group made a press release, stressing how the event confirmed how the lawsuits towards him had been “constructed on falsehoods, not information.”
They added, “For months, we now have seen case after case filed by people hiding behind anonymity, pushed ahead by an legal professional extra centered on media headlines than authorized advantage. Similar to this declare, the others will disintegrate as a result of there is no such thing as a reality to them. Sean Combs has by no means sexually assaulted or trafficked anybody—man or girl, grownup or minor.”
The assertion concluded, “No variety of lawsuits, sensationalized allegations, or media theatrics will change that actuality. We’ll proceed to combat these baseless claims and maintain these accountable. That is simply the primary of many that won’t maintain up in a courtroom of legislation.”
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Diddy’s Attorneys File To Dismiss Prostitution Cost
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The rapper is going through expenses of intercourse trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution below the Mann Act.
Diddy claimed the legislation had traditionally been used towards profitable Black males like Chuck Berry and Jack Johnson.
Based on TMZ, his legal professionals argued that hiring escorts was broadly accepted and that comparable instances, equivalent to former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s scandal, had not been prosecuted the identical method.
In the meantime, Diddy stays incarcerated, sustaining his innocence amid a number of authorized battles.