LOS ANGELES and MIAMI – The defense attorney representing Justin Combs, the son of hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, has accused federal agents of leaking information about raids on Combs’ properties to the press. Jeffrey Lichtman, a high-powered criminal defense attorney known for defending mobsters and drug lords, expressed concern that the media presence during the Department of Homeland Security searches could taint a potential jury pool.
Lichtman voiced his complaints on his radio show, “Beyond the Legal Limit,” stating that news outlets were given advance notice of the raids and were reporting on what anonymous law enforcement agents claimed they were looking for – evidence of sex trafficking. He called this action by the government “evil.”
The searches took place at Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami. Surveillance footage showed Justin Combs and his brother, Christian, being escorted out of their father’s Los Angeles estate with their hands on their heads and later being handcuffed on the lawn by armed officers. However, they were not arrested and were allowed to leave shortly afterward.
Lichtman argued that even though no charges were filed, the damage had already been done by leaking information to the press. He criticized the government’s use of the media to shape public opinion before any trial had taken place.
In addition to the raids, Sean “Diddy” Combs has faced multiple sexual abuse lawsuits, including allegations that he drugged and raped a woman when she was 17 years old. Lichtman, who also represents Justin Combs in one of the lawsuits, dismissed the claims as “utterly bonkers” and criticized the media for giving them credibility.
Combs’ lawyer, Aaron Dyer, stated that Combs was cooperative with authorities during the raids but condemned the use of excessive force by federal agents. Combs was not arrested or charged with any crime.
The raids on Combs’ properties were part of a larger investigation into sex trafficking, and federal agents sought to seize Combs’ phones and computers.
The defense attorney’s accusations of press leaks by federal agents raise concerns regarding the integrity of the investigation and potential bias in a future jury pool. Despite the lack of charges against Combs, the allegations and media attention surrounding the case continue to make headlines.