(NewsNation) — Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs say nine video recordings depicting sex acts that are being used as evidence against him actually prove his “innocence” because they show consensual sex between willing adults.
“Contrary to what the government has led this Court and the public to believe, the so-called ‘Freak Offs’ were private sexual activity between fully consenting adults in a long-term relationship,” defense attorneys said in legal papers filed Tuesday.
The music moguls’ attorney added that electronic copies of the recordings of the alleged “Freak Offs” must be handed over to defense lawyers for additional investigation. Defense lawyers said they have only been allowed to temporarily view them.
Combs is being held without bail in New York, facing a trial date currently set for May 2025 on charges of sex trafficking. He is also facing conspiracy charges related to sex trafficking, having been accused of abusing and blackmailing people into performing sexual acts for his entertainment.
Prosecutors have alleged the “Freak Offs” are evidence that Combs coerced, drugged and kidnapped women into sexual activity and hired prostitutes to join.
Singer Cassie Ventura alleged in a civil lawsuit that these sessions were drug-fueled sex acts that Combs allegedly coerced individuals into and filmed.
Ventura has been identified as “Victim 1” in the indictment against Combs.
“At bottom, this case is about whether ‘Victim 1’ was or was not a willing participant in her private sex life with Mr. Combs. The videos confirm that she plainly was,” the defense said. “These videos unambiguously show that the person alleged in the indictment to be ‘Victim 1’ not only consented but thoroughly enjoyed herself,” the court filings alleged.
They go on to say that there is no evidence that anyone is “incapacitated or under the influence of drugs or excessive alcohol consumption.”
Ventura, who had been in a decadelong relationship with Combs in the early 2000s, filed a lawsuit in New York federal court last November alleging sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault and gender-motivated violence, among other causes of action.
Ventura alleged that she became lured into and eventually trapped in a pattern of abuse involving forced drug use, rape, battery and forced sex acts with male sex workers.
She settled the lawsuit with her former partner one day later, but her suit spawned several more alleged victims to come forward.