In a significant development in the unfolding legal battles surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of his attorneys, Anthony Ricco, has announced his withdrawal from the music mogul’s defense team. This decision comes as Combs faces a barrage of civil lawsuits and a serious federal investigation into sexual abuse and racketeering allegations.
Ricco filed a motion in New York Federal Court on Friday, informing the judge of his intention to withdraw from the case. He stated that this decision followed discussions with Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lead counsel.
“Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” Ricco stated in the motion.
Citing attorney-client privilege, Ricco refrained from disclosing the specific reasons behind his withdrawal, leaving speculation rife about potential internal conflicts within the defense team or newly emerged complexities in the case.
USA TODAY has reached out to Ricco, Agnifilo, and representatives for Combs for comments, but as of now, no further details have been publicly released.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs during a press conference.
Ricco’s withdrawal, while representing just one lawyer in Combs’ extensive legal team, adds another layer of intrigue to the already complex legal landscape facing the Bad Boy Records founder. Combs is currently defending himself against accusations ranging from rape and sex trafficking to a pattern of abuse alleged to have spanned decades. Despite the mounting allegations and numerous accusers coming forward, Sean Combs has consistently maintained his innocence.
His legal team has recently adopted a combative stance against the federal indictment, arguing that the charges, particularly those related to the Mann Act – also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act – are based on a “racist” law. They contend that the law, historically used to target Black men, is unfairly being applied to Combs.
In a recent filing, Combs’ lawyers asserted, “No white person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution,” highlighting the racial bias they perceive in the application of the Mann Act. They argue that the law, with its origins in targeting “black male sexuality,” has been used to prosecute figures like Jack Johnson and Chuck Berry, and is now being weaponized against Sean Combs due to his status as a “powerful black man.”
These federal charges are a significant element within a growing number of accusations and lawsuits confronting the once-celebrated figure. The departure of a lawyer at this juncture underscores the intensifying pressure and scrutiny surrounding Sean Combs and his legal battles.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
