Diddy Challenges Federal Charges, Claims Racial Discrimination in Court Battle

Diddy Challenges Federal Charges, Claims Racial Discrimination in Court Battle

By Marcus Bennett

March 13, 2025 at 09:50 PM

Sean "Diddy" Combs has filed a motion to dismiss one of his federal charges, claiming racial bias and the misuse of an antiquated law. The music mogul currently faces three federal charges: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.

The defense's primary argument centers on The Mann Act, a 1910 law originally known as the White-Slave Traffic Act. Combs' legal team argues that this law has historically been used to target Black men unfairly and that no white defendant has faced similar prosecution under this statute in modern times.

Diddy during federal indictment hearing

Diddy during federal indictment hearing

Combs' attorneys stated in their motion, "This case is unprecedented in many ways, but perhaps most notably, and most disturbingly, no White person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution." They maintain that Combs is being targeted due to his status as a powerful Black figure.

Ashley Parham in red jacket

Ashley Parham in red jacket

Prosecutors have firmly rejected these claims of racial bias, asserting that the case focuses on criminal conduct rather than race. They point to recent applications of The Mann Act, including its use in the 2021 Ghislaine Maxwell trial, to demonstrate its continued relevance in modern jurisprudence.

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The outcome of this motion could set a significant precedent for future cases involving The Mann Act. The court's decision remains pending, with both sides preparing for upcoming hearings.

Diddy wearing white turtleneck

Diddy wearing white turtleneck

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