High-profile attorney Anthony Ricco, best known for his role in the United States v. bin Laden case, has filed a motion to withdraw from Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team, just two months before the rapper’s sex trafficking trial is set to begin.
Ricco, who has been a key figure in Combs’ legal defense, submitted his request to step down in Manhattan federal court, citing an inability to continue representing the music mogul under professional ethical standards.
His sudden departure raises questions about the stability of Combs’ legal strategy as the trial date approaches.
In his affidavit, Ricco made it clear that he could no longer effectively serve as Combs’ attorney while adhering to the American Bar Association’s standards for criminal justice.
“Under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs, consistent with the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice,” Ricco wrote in his filing.
He emphasized that his request to withdraw was made “respectfully but regrettably” and urged the court to grant the motion.
However, his withdrawal will only become official if approved by a judge, leaving some uncertainty about how Combs’ defense will be affected in the short term.
Ricco did not disclose specific reasons for his decision to step away from the case, but according to the New York Post, his move followed discussions with Combs’ lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo.
Legal analysts have speculated that internal conflicts or strategic disagreements within the defense team may have contributed to Ricco’s decision.
Given the high-profile nature of the case and the mounting legal pressure on Combs, the timing of Ricco’s withdrawal suggests potential turmoil behind the scenes.
An anonymous attorney who spoke to Deadline described the situation surrounding Combs’ defense as chaotic.
“It’s become a real sh*tshow; they’re desperate to not go to trial,” the attorney said. “Look at the filings; they’re throwing everything at the wall and praying something sticks.”
The comment reflects the growing perception that Combs’ legal team is struggling to contain the fallout from the numerous allegations against him.
With the trial date looming, the abrupt exit of a senior defense attorney could further complicate their strategy.
Combs is scheduled to face trial on May 5 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Since his arrest on September 16, he has remained in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. If convicted on the most serious charges, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and could receive life imprisonment.
His legal troubles have only intensified in recent months, with additional lawsuits and accusations surfacing.
Just days before Ricco’s withdrawal, a civil lawsuit that accused Combs and Jay-Z of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 was dropped by the plaintiff, now an adult identified as Jane Doe.
Following this development, The New York Post reported that Combs’ defense team accused federal prosecutors of targeting him unfairly.
According to his legal team, the U.S. Attorney’s Office was applying “racist laws” to bring down a powerful Black man, arguing that similar conduct by others often goes unpunished.
This defense tactic has sparked debate, with some questioning whether it will be effective in shifting public and judicial perception of the case.
In addition to the criminal charges, Combs is currently facing over 40 lawsuits from both men and women who claim he drugged, sexually assaulted, or raped them.
The scope of the allegations and the number of accusers make this one of the most significant legal battles in the entertainment industry in recent history.
With Ricco’s departure adding another layer of uncertainty, all eyes will be on how Combs’ remaining legal team navigates the upcoming trial.
