Lawyer representing Diddy quits ahead of federal sex trafficking trial
Global News
Anthony Ricco filed a motion, saying 'under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs.'
A defence lawyer representing Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed a motion to step down as the rapper’s lawyer, according to legal documents filed on Thursday.
In the motion filed in New York Federal Court, Anthony Ricco notified the judge of his intent to withdraw and said there are “sufficient reasons” protected by lawyer/client privilege.
“Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” he wrote.
He declined to go into the specific details as to why he was leaving Diddy’s legal team, but he did note it followed discussions with the music mogul’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo.
Ricco said that his motion for withdrawal of counsel “will not result in a delay of the present schedule for the commencement of jury selection and trial, or the present schedules for briefing of pretrial legal issues.”
In the motion, which has to be approved by a judge, Ricco added that there “will be no lapse in representation” as Diddy will continue to be represented by five other lawyers on record.
“Without violating any aspect of the attorney/client privilege, or otherwise providing any details whatsoever on the grounds supporting the application, the government has been notified of the filing of the motion to withdraw as counsel. The government takes no position on the motion seeking withdrawal of counsel for Sean Combs,” the filing reads.
Diddy is currently facing more than 30 civil lawsuits. He is awaiting a federal criminal trial on sex trafficking and racketeering, scheduled for May 5. If convicted, Diddy faces life in prison.
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