Diddy Seeks to Dismiss Charge, Claims Racism in Superseding Indictment

Diddy is fighting back against a charge in the superseding indictment filed against him, alleging that the law itself is “racist.” The mogul’s motion, filed on Tuesday, February 18, seeks to dismiss the charge of transportation to engage in prostitution, one of three counts against him, which also include sex trafficking and racketeering.

The filing challenges the legality of the Mann Act, claiming it has never been used to prosecute a white person in its more than 100 years of existence and accusing the government of targeting Diddy, a powerful Black man. The motion argues that the law was originally designed to prohibit the transportation of women for sex, and that its use against Diddy is an example of racial bias. “Mr. Combs has been singled out because he is a powerful Black man, and he is being prosecuted for conduct that regularly goes unpunished,” the document reads.

The defense also reiterated its position that all sexual activity involving Diddy and his partners was consensual. The motion further claims that federal prosecutors have leaked damaging information to the media, which has prejudiced the case and harmed Diddy’s reputation.

Prosecutors have yet to respond to Diddy’s motion to dismiss or the allegations of racial bias, although they previously rejected similar claims during a pre-trial hearing last October, calling them “baseless.” The trial is set to begin on May 5, with Diddy facing up to life in prison if convicted. He has consistently denied all allegations against him.