Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs are seeking to dismiss one of the charges against him, arguing he is the target of a racially biased prosecution—an allegation prosecutors have previously denied.
In a motion filed Tuesday, Combs’ defense stated, “No White person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution. Mr. Combs has been singled out because he is a powerful Black man.”
They are requesting the court drop Count Three of the superseding indictment—transportation to engage in prostitution—arguing that prosecutions under The Mann Act are rare and disproportionately affect people of color. The 1910 law, originally called the White-Slave Traffic Act, was designed to combat human trafficking but has historically been criticized for racial bias.
As recently as 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime associate, was convicted under the statute for transporting minors for illegal sexual activity.
Prosecutors have previously objected to Combs’ legal team accusing them of racial bias, calling such claims a “serious risk” to a fair trial. Combs’ attorneys countered that the law has a “long and troubling history” of targeting Black men.
Combs faces three federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal detention in New York City.
CNN has reached out to the Southern District of New York for comment. Combs’ attorneys declined to provide further statements.
