Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer, in his closing argument on Friday, painted a picture of the music mogul as a victim of prosecutorial overreach. The defense argued that the government twisted recreational drug use and a swinger lifestyle into a racketeering conspiracy, potentially landing Combs in prison for life.
Marc Agnifilo strongly criticized the government’s case and ridiculed the agents who allegedly seized hundreds of bottles of Astroglide lubricant and baby oil from Combs’ properties. His presentation was expected to be lengthy.
“Way to go, fellas,” he sarcastically remarked regarding the agents’ findings.
He argued that prosecutors “badly exaggerated” evidence related to a swinger lifestyle and threesomes, combining it with recreational drug use to falsely portray a racketeering conspiracy.
“He did not do the things he’s charged with. He didn’t do racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking,” the lawyer asserted.
Mr. Agnifilo also labeled Combs’ prosecution a “fake trial” and dismissed the idea that he was involved in racketeering.
“Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?” Mr. Agnifilo questioned the jury.
“Did any witness get on that witness stand and say yes, I was part of a racketeering enterprise, I engaged in racketeering?”
Mr. Agnifilo argued that no such testimony existed, suggesting the accusations were purely the prosecution’s invention.
Combs’ family, including six of his children and his mother, were present in the New York court gallery during the closing arguments.
Mr. Agnifilo emphasized Combs’ lifelong dedication to caring for others, citing the example of his ex-girlfriend identified as Jane, whose rent he continues to pay.
“I don’t know what Jane is doing today,” Mr. Agnifilo stated. “But she’s doing it in a house he’s paying for.”
Referring to the lawsuits filed by Combs’ accusers, he stated: “This isn’t about crime. It’s about money. This is about money.”
He highlighted the lawsuit filed by Combs’ former girlfriend of almost 11 years, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, which was settled for 20 million dollars (£14.5 million) in November 2023, subsequently triggering a federal investigation the following day.
“If you had to pick a winner in this whole thing, it’s hard not to pick Cassie,” Mr. Agnifilo suggested.
Cassie and Jane, both of whom testified during the trial, claimed they were repeatedly coerced by Combs into participating in drug-fueled, multi-day sex marathons with male sex workers. They alleged Combs watched, directed, masturbated, and sometimes filmed these encounters.
If convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a potential life sentence.
Combs did not testify during the seven-week trial.
Following Mr. Agnifilo’s closing argument, assistant US attorney Maurene Comey was scheduled to present a rebuttal summation. The judge is then expected to instruct the jury before deliberations begin, which are anticipated to start on Monday.
