Photo Credit: Wesley Tingey / Tingey Law
Sean “Diddy” Combs attorney Anthony Ricco files a motion to withdraw from the disgraced mogul’s defense team without explanation.
New court documents reveal one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense lawyers is quitting his legal team in the disgraced producer’s criminal sex-trafficking and racketeering case. Attorney Anthony Ricco filed a motion yesterday (February 20) to withdraw as one of Combs’ six defense attorneys.
Ricco’s request to step down will not be official until a judge signs off on it, and a judge must find sufficient reason to approve the request.
Notably, Ricco’s motion does not provide a reason for the request, simply stating, “Under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs.” Ricco added, “It is respectfully but regrettably requested that the court grant the relief requested.”
The decision comes after Ricco spoke with Combs’ lead counsel, Marc Agnifilo. While he did not elaborate on the decision, the attorney suggested the request’s “brevity” is due to not wanting to divulge information protected by attorney-client privilege.
The trial is set to kick off on May 5, but Ricco assured the judge that his resignation wouldn’t delay the proceedings. He says Combs “will continue to be represented by five other attorneys of record.”
The 54-year-old Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges involving drugging women and forcing them into sex work. He’s been held without bail since his arrest in September, following a federal raid on several of his properties. Should he be convicted, Combs faces a minimum sentence of 15 years behind bars and up to life in prison.
The disgraced mogul also still faces around 40 lawsuits by both men and women who claim he drugged and sexually assaulted them. One such case filed against Combs and Jay-Z by a Jane Doe was recently withdrawn — but numerous others are still active. Combs and his legal team have denied all allegations against him.
