Lawyer Anthony Ricco has requested permission to leave Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team in his ongoing sex-trafficking case. Ricco cited the American Bar Association’s standards for criminal justice, stating that he cannot continue to provide effective representation due to concerns about racist prosecution.
Combs was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution last September, denying any wrongdoing. His lawyers have attempted to dismiss one charge based on allegations that the law itself is racist.
The Mann Act of 1910 has historically targeted Black men, according to Combs’ lawyers, who claim that “no white person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution.” They argue that the case against Combs is based on allegations about his personal relationships and that he is being singled out due to his race and power.
Over 16 months, at least 40 plaintiffs have sued Combs over allegations of sexual assault or misconduct. The embattled music mogul has also recently filed a $100 million lawsuit against NBC over the documentary “Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy,” which aired on Peacock last month.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/sean-diddy-combs-lawyer-sex-trafficking-b2702497.html