Embattled rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has suffered a setback in his bid to show his innocence after one among his attorneys exited his authorized crew 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 among 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, “Not at all 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 underneath any circumstances.
In accordance with paperwork obtained by The Mirror US, Ricco mentioned, “Not at all 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 offer particulars to assist the appliance and mentioned his choice to step down will not have an effect on the present schedule for the trial, which can start on Could 5.
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Anthony Ricco Cites Moral Issues
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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 “by no means” may he proceed to “successfully function counsel for Sean Combs, according to the ABA Requirements for Legal 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 file.”
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Reactions To Diddy’s Lawyer’s Choice To Step Down
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After information of Ricco’s exit from Diddy’s authorized crew made headlines, a number of Redditors took turns making an attempt to interpret his actions.
Some individuals shared their ideas within the Music subreddit, which is comprised of over 37 million members.
One Redditor mentioned, “Probably, the lawyer discovered Diddy was committing different crimes like witness tampering/intimidation/bribery/extortion, advised Diddy to cease instantly, which he refused to.”
One other individual felt extra attorneys would depart Diddy’s authorized crew. They wrote, “That is commonplace for delays in instances. He may have a number of attorneys give up earlier than he truly sees a courtroom.”
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A 3rd Redditor added, “Why am I not stunned? They will need to have some severe proof that he is responsible if they will not grant him bail. And you already know it is dangerous when his personal pals aren’t coming to his protection.”
They added, “I am going to guess if he is discovered responsible and dealing with severe time in jail, he’ll promote out his pals to get a while lowered. Both method, he is carried out for.”
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Diddy’s Rape Accuser Withdraws Case
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Ricco’s choice to step down as Diddy’s authorized counsel comes when the incarcerated music mogul gained a small authorized victory.
On February 14, an unidentified lady, 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 type.
Following the case’s withdrawal, Diddy’s authorized crew made an announcement, stressing how the event confirmed how the lawsuits towards him had been “constructed on falsehoods, not information.”
They added, “For months, we’ve seen case after case filed by people hiding behind anonymity, pushed ahead by an legal professional extra centered on media headlines than authorized benefit. Similar to this declare, the others will disintegrate as a result of there isn’t any reality to them. Sean Combs has by no means sexually assaulted or trafficked anybody—man or lady, grownup or minor.”
The assertion concluded, “No variety of lawsuits, sensationalized allegations, or media theatrics will change that actuality. We are going to proceed to struggle these baseless claims and maintain these accountable. That is simply the primary of many that won’t maintain up in a courtroom of regulation.”
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Diddy’s Legal professionals File To Dismiss Prostitution Cost
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The rapper is dealing with expenses of intercourse trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution underneath the Mann Act.
Diddy claimed the regulation had traditionally been used towards profitable Black males like Chuck Berry and Jack Johnson.
In accordance with TMZ, his attorneys argued that hiring escorts was extensively accepted and that related instances, akin 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.