As Sean “Diddy” Combs prepares for his upcoming federal trial, a key member of his legal team has resigned.
Attorney Anthony Ricco announced his intention to step down in court documents obtained by The Daily Mail.
“Under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” Ricco wrote in his withdrawal of counsel motion filed in New York City on Thursday, Feb. 20.
The motion said Ricco discussed the matter with lead counsel Marc Agnifilo before filing the paperwork. He also notified federal prosecutors about the change in the music mogul’s legal team.
Ricco offered no additional explanation as to why he was stepping down, and he did not respond to a request for comment.
Related: Diddy Allegedly ‘Doused’ Aspiring Musician With Laced Baby Oil Leaving Him ‘Numb,’ Lawsuit Claims
Ricco also worked as an adjunct professor at the Fordham University School of Law. His biography on the university’s website says Ricco specializes in death penalty cases and has worked on 45 federal death penalty cases across the country.
According to the New York Post, Ricco was one of six defense attorneys working on Diddy’s case. It’s unclear if he will be replaced.
The Bad Boy Records founder was arrested on Sept. 16 in New York City and charged by federal prosecutors with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Last month, prosecutors expanded their indictment against the rapper and music producer, by adding more alleged victims and additional allegations, but no new charges.
The new filing said Diddy “lured” female victims into his world “under the pretense of a romantic relationship.” It additionally alleged he “used force, threats of force, and coercion, to cause victims, including but not limited to three female victims” to engage in commercial sex acts. The document included a claim that Diddy “dangled a victim over an apartment balcony.”
Agnifilo called the new allegations “ridiculous” in a statement to the media.
“The latest Indictment contains no new offenses. The prosecution’s theory remains flawed. The government has added the ridiculous theory that two of Mr. Combs’ former girlfriends were not girlfriends at all but were prostitutes. Mr. Combs is as committed as ever to fighting these charges and winning at trial,” the statement read.
Diddy remains jailed in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, after being denied bail by three separate federal judges. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025.
The mogul is also facing dozens of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse. He has denied all of the allegations.
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