Attorney says accusations against Sean Combs have been 'badly exaggerated'
Attorney Marc Angifilo has launched a staunch defence of Sean 'Diddy' Combs at his trial in New York.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorney claims that allegations against the rapper have been "badly exaggerated".
The 55-year-old music mogul is facing charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering at a trial in New York City, but attorney Marc Angifilo has claimed in his closing argument that statements made about his client have been exaggerated.
He told the jurors: "He did not do the things he's charged with. He didn't do racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking."
Angifilo actually described the ongoing legal case as a "fake trial".
He also ridiculed the notion that Combs engaged in racketeering.
Angifilo said: "Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Did any witness get on that witness stand and say yes, I was part of a racketeering enterprise — I engaged in racketeering?"
Angifilo also argued that Combs' accusers are motivated by money, rather than justice.
He explained: "This isn’t about crime. It’s about money. This is about money."
Angifilo observed that Cassie Ventura, Combs' ex-girlfriend, previously sued the rap star and ended up settling the case for $20 million in 2023. He described Cassie as the "winner in this whole thing".
Angifilo said in court: "If you had to pick a winner in this whole thing, it’s hard not to pick Cassie."
By contrast, Christy Slavik - the assistant U.S. attorney - previously described the music mogul as the "leader of a criminal enterprise".
Slavik also described Combs in his closing statements as a man who "doesn’t take no for an answer".
Speaking to the jurors, Slavik said: "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted."
The attorney alleged that Combs - who founded the Bad Boy Records label in 1993 - was at the center of a criminal enterprise.
Slavik noted that all of Combs' employees were "there to serve him".
He explained: "The concept is simple. The law recognizes that when someone commits a crime as part of a group — what the law calls an ‘enterprise’ — they’re more powerful and more dangerous.
"It’s his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him."
Combs - who has not testified during the trial - has always denied the allegations.
