Diddy Claims Law Used to Prosecute Him Has 'Racist Origins,' Seeks Dismissal of Charge: 'Singled Out'

Mar. 15, 2025

Sean “Diddy” Combs.Photo:Steve Granitz/WireImage

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Sean “Diddy” Combsis seeking to have one of the counts of the indictment against him dismissed, with his lawyers arguing that the law used to charge him is used to “target Black men.”

In a Septemberindictment, Combs was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. The Bad Boy Records founder’s attorneys are trying to have the third charge dismissed.

The underlying statute for that charge is the Mann Act of 1910, previously called the White-Slave Traffic Act. Combs' attorneys say in a memorandum in support of their motion to dismiss that the statute has “racist origins” and noted its use in the controversial prosecutions of boxer Jack Johnson, who was the first Black world heavyweight champion, and Chuck Berry.

A spokesperson for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the defense motion.

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The music mogul has also been named a defendant indozens of lawsuitsaccusing him of sexual misconduct. He has denied all allegations.

Combs is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His criminal trial is scheduled for May.

source: people.com