Sean “Diddy” Combs appeals bail, promises drug testing

Sean “Diddy” Combs He was denied bail after the mogul promised to submit to weekly drug tests, ban women from his home and have no contact with anyone considered a witness if he were released from custody while on bail was awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.

Judges Andrew Carter and Robyn Tarnofsky both denied Combs bail after his Sept. 16 arrest, agreeing with SDNY prosecutors that he posed a significant flight risk, a danger to the community and a clear risk of witness tampering . After the verdict, Combs was led out of court still wearing the same sweatpants and plain black T-shirt in which he had been arrested.

The 54-year-old's legal team filed its second appeal on Monday, September 30, although the two-page document made no arguments as to why Combs should be released.

In a letter to the judge released Sept. 17, SDNY prosecutors alleged that Combs contacted both victims and witnesses in the case in the months before his arrest, asking for “friendship and support” and sometimes “gaslighting.” making them believe “false narratives.”

Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, had presented the court with a significant bail package proposal, including a $50 million bond secured by his $48 million Miami mansion, the equity in his mother's Florida condo, and the Passport from Combs and those who should be secured by him were four daughters. Agnifilo urged the court to “trust” Combs, pointing to the steps the Bad Boy Entertainment founder took leading up to his arrest to show he was not a flight risk.

But Judge Tarnofsky noted the seriousness of the allegations against Combs and his apparent “anger issues” in denying his release. “Your lawyer asked us to trust you – [I don’t think] You can trust yourself,” she said. “Your lawyer can’t control you.”

The next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9th.

In addition to the original bail package proposal, Agnifilo had put forward new restrictions that would address some of the court's concerns that Combs was a danger to the community and would attempt to contact victims and witnesses.

Combs said he would agree to weekly drug testing after his suspected drug abuse was repeatedly mentioned by prosecutors, who alleged police found a pink, powdery substance in Combs' five-star hotel room after his arrest. The results of the substance had not been confirmed, officials said, but said it was similar in appearance to drugs they seized in the March raid on his Miami mansion, which later tested positive for ecstasy and other illegal substances.

If Combs were released under house arrest, visitors to his Miami compound would be restricted and only “family, property managers and friends who are not considered co-conspirators” would be allowed, Agnifilo's letter to the judge said. In particular, women outside of Combs' family and the mothers of his children were not allowed to visit him. Additionally, Combs' personal security would require that “any person entering the property sign a visitor's log,” which would then be presented to the court each evening.

Speaking to members of the press after Combs was taken into custody, Agnifilo said he would fight the decision to hold his client without bail. “Mr. Combs is a fighter. He will fight this to the end. He is innocent,” the lawyer said. “We will fight this case tooth and nail.”

This post was updated on September 30 at 6:00 p.m. to include Combs' second bail appeal. It was previously updated at 5:15 p.m. ET on September 18 to reflect the denial of Combs' bail appeal.