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Diddy trying to obstruct from jail: prosecutors

Sean "Diddy' Combs began breaking rules almost as soon as he was detained, prosecutors say.

Sean "Diddy' Combs began breaking rules almost as soon as he was detained, prosecutors say. Photo: AAP

Sean “Diddy” Combs has tried to reach out to prospective witnesses and influence public opinion from jail in a bid to affect potential jurors for his upcoming sex trafficking trial, prosecutors say.

The government accusations were made in a Manhattan federal court filing on Friday that opposes the music mogul’s latest $US50 million ($77 million) bail proposal.

A bail hearing is scheduled for next week.

A review of recorded jail calls made by Combs showed he had asked family members to contact potential victims and witnesses and had urged them to create “narratives” to influence the jury pool, prosecutors wrote.

They said he also encouraged marketing strategies to sway public opinion.

“The defendant has shown repeatedly – even while in custody – that he will flagrantly and repeatedly flout rules in order to improperly impact the outcome of his case,” prosecutors wrote in a submission that contained redactions.

Prosecutors said it could be inferred from his behaviour that Combs wanted to blackmail victims and witnesses into silence or into providing testimony helpful to his defence.

Lawyers for Combs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Prosecutors said Combs, 55, began breaking rules almost as soon as he was detained in New York after his September arrest.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with the aid of a network of associates and employees, while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.

Two judges have concluded he is a danger to the community and a risk to flee.

His lawyers recently made a third request for bail after the rejection of two previous attempts, including a $US50 million bail proposal.

In their submission to a judge, prosecutors said Combs’ behaviour in jail showed he must remain locked up.

For instance, they said, Combs had enlisted family members to plan and carry out a social media campaign around his birthday “with the intention of influencing the potential jury in this criminal proceeding”.

He encouraged his children to post a video to their social media accounts showing them gathered to celebrate his birthday, they said.

—AAP

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