TMZ reported that in a court hearing in Manhattan, USA on October 10 (local time), federal prosecutors fired back at Diddy’s legal team, claiming that the “rap kingpin” had falsely accused them of racial discrimination against Diddy in the documentary The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment.

In September, when the documentary was released, attorney Marc Agnifilo criticized the federal government’s pursuit of a criminal case against his client as “an act of discrediting a successful black man.”

“Diddy’s allegations are baseless,” TMZ quoted prosecutors’ statements in court.

TMZ describes Diddy’s appearance in court. Photo: TMZ.

As for the accusation that the US Department of Homeland Security staged CCTV footage showing Combs chasing his ex-girlfriend Cassie and attacking her in a hotel in 2016 (recently released by CNN ), prosecutors denied they made the information public.

Prosecutors said the investigation into Diddy is ongoing. Prosecutor Emily Johnson said the U.S. Attorney’s Office is currently analyzing 100 electronic devices found at Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami, with the possibility of Diddy facing additional charges.

According to TMZ , there was a lot of emotion going on in the courtroom. Diddy – the accused – was said to appear in a cheerful state, looking thinner than before. “Janice Combs blew kisses to her son, while Diddy gestured towards her with his shackled legs,” the source added.

Diddy’s mother and children leave after the court hearing. Photo: TMZ.

The hearing came just a day after Combs’ attorney filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, alleging that agents had illegally disclosed information, including information about the March raids on Diddy’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles, that had a major impact on the case.

In the 17-page lawsuit, the legal team representing Diddy wrote: “The information leaked before trial was highly prejudicial, tainted the jury pool, and deprived Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”

Diddy’s attorneys, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, asked the judge to “hold an evidentiary hearing to consider the federal government’s misconduct related to the leak.”

They also demanded that prosecutors and other members of the government be gagged to prevent leaks to the media, and that officials, especially agents of the US Department of Homeland Security, turn over “emails, documents and records” about previous leaks.

Diddy’s next hearing is scheduled for December 18, according to the latest information. Judge Arun Subramanian has set the rapper’s trial for May 5, 2025.