Didi was denied bail and will remain in jail until trial on racketeering, sex trafficking and delivery for prostitution charges.
The embattled tycoon appeared in court on Tuesday (September 17) shortly after his arrest and pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his legal team proposed a $50 million bail, the Associated Press reported.
Instead of providing cash, he used his $48 million Miami mansion and his mother’s house as collateral. He also said he would be willing to wear a GPS monitor and limit travel to South Florida and the New York area.
However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said the government wanted to keep him in custody for “many” reasons, including the seriousness of the charges, his potential life sentence and the risk of flight and witness intimidation.
During their arguments, Diddy’s defense team pointed out that their client came to New York in anticipation of being charged, which proved he was cooperative.
“He was not a perfect person. Drug abuse had occurred. He had been in a toxic relationship,” said his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo.
Agnifilo also said he spoke with multiple men involved in the “bizarre happenings” at the heart of the case and that everything was consensual.
“Is this sex trafficking? Not if everyone wants to be there,” he said. “We’re not going to be better off if the federal government breaks into our bedrooms. They’re not doing a good job there. That’s what they’re doing. They’re going into Mr. Coombs’ bedroom.
Ultimately, Judge Robin Tarnowski decided to deny him bail, noting that she had “very serious concerns” about Combs’ substance abuse and “what appeared to be anger issues.”
She also said she considered other options but “didn’t think it would be enough because a lot of what is alleged happened in secret.”
According to TMZ, multiple drugs were found in Diddy’s hotel room after his arrest, including a pink powder that tested positive for ecstasy.
Diddy’s sons Justin, Christian and Quincy were in the courtroom and he turned to his family as he was led out of the courtroom by bailiffs.
Agnifilo later told the media: “Combs is a fighter, he will fight to the end, he is innocent. We will fight this lawsuit with all our strength, just like him.
He said they are appealing the decision not to hold Coombs on bail. A bail review hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (September 18) before a different judge.
