Prosecutors have accused Diddy of secretly making phone calls, intimidating witnesses, and attempting to sway the jury pool in his upcoming trial, all while behind bars in a federal jail, according to a recent court filing.
The 30-page document, submitted on Friday, November 15, is in response to Diddy’s latest request for bail, with a hearing on the matter set for next Friday, November 22. The filing claims that during his incarceration, Diddy has circumvented Bureau of Prisons surveillance rules by using multiple methods to communicate with individuals he is prohibited from contacting. The government alleges he used other inmates’ phone access codes, initiated three-way calls to connect with unauthorized people, and sent messages through an unapproved third-party system to communicate with those outside his approved contact list.
Prosecutors argue that Diddy’s actions were part of a deliberate effort to manipulate public opinion in advance of his trial. The memo suggests the mogul has been working on a public relations campaign designed to influence the jury pool. It specifically points to a “social media campaign” around Diddy’s birthday, which he allegedly orchestrated with the help of family members to manage how his public image was shaped. The filing states that Diddy took a hands-on approach, even tracking analytics and guiding his family on how to maximize the video’s impact on potential jurors.
Additionally, the document accuses Diddy of repeatedly attempting to contact potential witnesses—especially victims who could testify against him—claiming his aim was to coerce these individuals into silence or manipulate them into providing testimony favorable to his defense.
HipHopDX reached out to Diddy’s representatives for comment, but they have yet to respond. Diddy is not only facing scrutiny from federal prosecutors. In an interview promoting his new Hulu documentary, The Honorable Shyne, which premieres on November 18, rapper-turned-politician Shyne reflected on their past strained relationship, particularly following the 1999 shooting incident for which Shyne was imprisoned.
Shyne, speaking on The Stephen A. Smith Show on November 14, admitted that he once saw Diddy as a destructive figure. “For years, I thought he was the devil,” Shyne said. “He destroyed my life, and I was vocal about it. But because of Diddy’s influence in pop culture, no one listened. I eventually moved on and healed, focusing on forgiveness and accountability.” Shyne also denied the rumor that he was paid off to take the fall for the shooting.
