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Lawyers for music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs asked a New York judge on Tuesday to compel prosecutors to release the names of the individuals who accuse him in the sex-trafficking case.
The lawyers wrote a letter to the federal judge saying their client needs to know the identities of the alleged victims in order to properly prepare for trial. Mr. Combs' trial is set for May 5. He has declared that he is innocent.
A spokesman for the prosecution declined to comment. Combs, 54, remains in jail without parole after his Sept. 16 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges. His lawyers have asked a federal appeals court that Mr. Combs be released on house arrest so he can more easily meet with lawyers and prepare for trial. So far, judges have concluded that he poses a danger to the community and cannot be released.
The request to release the names of the individuals accusing him comes a day after six new lawsuits against Mr. Combs were filed anonymously to protect the identities of the alleged victims, two of whom are female and the other four are male.
Plaintiffs allege that Mr. Combs used his fame and promises to boost their prospects in the music industry and persuade the victims to attend lavish drug-fueled dinner parties and then assault them. The individuals in Monday's lawsuit are part of what their lawyers say is a group of more than 100 accusers who are in the process of filing lawsuits against the music mogul.
In a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, Mr. Combs' lawyers said the case against their client is unique, in part because of the number of accusers. They attributed the figure to his "celebrity status, wealth and publicity after an early lawsuit against him was previously settled."
It appears to be a lawsuit from November filed by his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, whose name is Cassandra Ventura. Mr. Combs made a deal with Ms. Ventura to settle the case without going to trial, but allegations of sexual and physical abuse have followed him ever since.
Mr. Combs was arrested Sept. 16 in Manhattan, about six months after federal authorities conducted sex-trafficking investigations, raiding his luxury residences in Los Angeles and Miami./ VOA
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