Sean ‘Diddy Combs and his legal team accuse the feds of ‘leaking’ 2016 video of his assault on then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura to CNN on ‘slow news day’ for former President Donald Trump.

In court documents obtained by News weekCombs’ lawyers suggest several reasons why the government, particularly the Department of Homeland Security, is “most likely” to have released the shocking video to the media. They pointed out that DHS was often cited in news reports about raids on Combs’ mansion in Los Angeles and Miami as part of his sex trafficking case.

A footnote to the memo says federal prosecutors deny the allegation and say DHS “was not in possession of the videotape prior to its release by CNN.”

Diddy’s lawyers, after being contacted by CNN, emailed prosecutors regarding his case to inform them that CNN planned to release the Intercontinental Hotel video.

“What concerns me is that someone (neither any of you nor the lead agents on the case) provided this footage to CNN. I am bringing this to your attention only because I imagine you didn’t want this to happen any more than I did,” the email reader said.

After CNN published the video on May 17, an assistant U.S. attorney thanked Diddy’s legal team for the warning and confirmed that they had seen the video.

Combs’ lawyers say Ventura is “probably not a leak source” because neither she nor her lawyers possessed the tape. They also claim that an independent third party sold the footage to a high-paying tabloid like TMZ, not CNN.

“If a non-law enforcement person had leaked the videotape to a news source, that person likely would have sold the tape rather than just giving it to CNN. Media outlets such as TMZ are known for paying tens of thousands of dollars for such footage “The fact that it was leaked to CNN shows a motive other than financial gain, a motive to damage Mr. Combs’ reputation without compensation – a motive held. by federal agents,” the lawyers wrote.

The fourth reason for the “leak” cited by Combs’ defense mentions Trump.

“Fourth, the timing of the leak suggests government involvement. The tape was leaked on one of the few days the Trump trial was not taking place as Barron Trump, Donald Trump’s youngest son, got that day There his high school graduation in Florida with his father One of the most contentious issues in the Trump trial was whether the trial would be suspended so Trump could attend his son’s graduation.

The documents continue: “Ultimately, the court announced that May 17 would not be a trial day. This was a fact that would have been known to federal agents – and they would also have known that May 17 was therefore an ideal time, because it “was a slow news day given the interruption in the Trump trial.”

Trump attended Barron’s graduation from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach on May 17 after the judge allowed him to do so. He sat next to Barron’s mother, former first lady Melania Trump, and his father Viktor Knavs on the outfield stands for the ceremony.

Nearly two weeks later, Donald Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of felony crimes. A New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy. Daniels.

Trump will be sentenced on November 26, a few weeks after the 2024 presidential election.

Combs was arrested and charged on September 16 in a three-count indictment with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Trump has not publicly discussed Combs’ case.

Combs is expected to return to Manhattan federal court on Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in his sexual harassment case. His lawyers have requested a trial date in spring 2025.

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