Embattled rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has suffered a setback in his bid to prove his innocence after one in all his attorneys exited his legal team with a mysterious statement.
Diddy’s lawyer, Anthony Ricco, filed a motion for withdraw of counsel on Friday, though his actions won’t delay the present trial schedule.
The setback comes amid a recent legal victory for Diddy after one in all his accusers voluntarily withdrew her case against him and Jay-Z.
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Anthony Ricco Steps Down As Diddy’s Counsel
BREAKING: Diddy’s lawyer, Anthony Ricco, has resigned following Kash Patel’s appointment to the FBI.
Anthony Ricco stated, “Certainly not can I proceed.” pic.twitter.com/csgZwiKPYX
— aka (@akafaceUS) February 21, 2025
Rico filed a motion for withdraw of counsel in Recent York, stating that he would not proceed his services to Diddy under any circumstances.
In accordance with documents obtained by The Mirror US, Ricco said, “Certainly not can I proceed to effectively function counsel for Sean Combs.”
The documents also stated that Ricco held discussions with Diddy’s lead counsel, Mark Agnifilo, before filing the motion.
The outlet also reported that Ricco declined to supply details to support the appliance and said his decision to step down won’t affect the present schedule for the trial, which can begin on May 5.
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Anthony Ricco Cites Ethical Concerns
Within the court document, the attorney clarified that he has “provided Sean Combs with high level of legal representation expected by the court.”
He added that “certainly not” could he proceed to “effectively function counsel for Sean Combs, consistent with the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice.”
Signing off the document, Ricco wrote, “WHEREFORE, it’s respectfully but regrettably requested that the court grant the relief requested within the annexed notice of motion, and permit counsel Anthony L. Ricco to withdraw as attorney of record.”
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Reactions To Diddy’s Lawyer’s Decision To Step Down
After news of Ricco’s exit from Diddy’s legal team made headlines, several Redditors took turns attempting to interpret his actions.
Some people shared their thoughts within the Music subreddit, which is comprised of over 37 million members.
One Redditor said, “Almost definitely, the lawyer discovered Diddy was committing other crimes like witness tampering/intimidation/bribery/extortion, told Diddy to stop immediately, which he refused to.”
One other person felt more attorneys would depart Diddy’s legal team. They wrote, “That is standard for delays in cases. He could have multiple attorneys quit before he actually sees a courtroom.”
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A 3rd Redditor added, “Why am I not surprised? They should have some serious proof that he’s guilty in the event that they won’t grant him bail. And it’s bad when his own friends aren’t coming to his defense.”
They added, “I’ll bet if he’s found guilty and facing serious time in prison, he’ll sell out his friends to get a while reduced. Either way, he’s done for.”
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Diddy’s Rape Accuser Withdraws Case
Ricco’s decision to step down as Diddy’s legal counsel comes when the incarcerated music mogul gained a small legal victory.
On February 14, an unidentified woman, who accused Diddy and Jay-Z of raping her when she was 13 years old in 2000, voluntarily withdrew her case.
Within the filing, the plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the lawsuit can never be refiled in its current form.
Following the case’s withdrawal, Diddy’s legal team made an announcement, stressing how the event confirmed how the lawsuits against him were “built on falsehoods, not facts.”
They added, “For months, we’ve got seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by an attorney more focused on media headlines than legal merit. Similar to this claim, the others will crumble because there is no such thing as a truth to them. Sean Combs has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor.”
The statement concluded, “No variety of lawsuits, sensationalized allegations, or media theatrics will change that reality. We are going to proceed to fight these baseless claims and hold those responsible. That is just the primary of many who won’t delay in a court of law.”
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Diddy’s Lawyers File To Dismiss Prostitution Charge
The rapper is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution under the Mann Act.
Diddy claimed the law had historically been used against successful Black men like Chuck Berry and Jack Johnson.
In accordance with TMZ, his lawyers argued that hiring escorts was widely accepted and that similar cases, comparable to former Recent York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s scandal, had not been prosecuted the identical way.
Meanwhile, Diddy stays incarcerated, maintaining his innocence amid multiple legal battles.
