Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyer says they've reached out to U.S. President Donald Trump seeking a pardon following the rapper's conviction on two counts of a prostitution-related offence. A source close to Combs' legal team confirmed to NBC News that they had been in contact with the Trump administration.
This comes after Nicole Westmoreland, a member of Combs' defence team, told CNN in an exclusive interview earlier this week that the music mogul's team had reached out to Trump for a potential pardon."It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon," Westmoreland told the outlet.
Westmoreland added that Combs "is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful" about the request. Story continues below advertisement When asked about the potential pardon, a White House official told CNN that they "will not comment on the existence or nonexistence of any clemency request." 1:46 Sean 'Diddy' Combs not guilty of racketeering, sex trafficking in split verdict Sean 'Diddy' Combs not guilty of racketeering, sex trafficking in split verdict Diddy verdict 'absolutely a win' for Sean Combs, legal expert says Diddy trial jury reaches verdicts on all charges except for racketeering conspiracy Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex-trafficking trial hears prosecutors' closing arguments Previous Video Next Video Last week, Trump told Newsmax that Combs' lawyers have "talked to me about Sean" but said he was unlikely to pardon the music mogul."I was very friendly with him, I got along with him great and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile," Trump said."And it's hard, you know? I'm like you; we're human beings, right? And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment," Trump continued. "But when you knew someone and you were fine and then you run for office and he made some terrible statements, so I don't know, it's more difficult. It makes it more - I'm being honest - it makes it more difficult to do." Story continues below advertisement When Trump was asked if granting Combs clemency was more likely a "no," he said, "I would say so." Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. This isn't the first time Trump has been asked about whether he would consider pardoning Combs.
In May, when Fox News' Peter Doocy asked the question, Trump said he would "certainly look at the facts," adding that "nobody's asked" but "people are thinking about it."Trump also said he hadn't seen or spoken to Combs in years and was not following his trial closely. 1:20 Trump asked if he would ever consider a pardon for Sean 'Diddy' Combs The news of Combs' team reaching out to Trump comes after a judge said the rapper must stay in jail until he is sentenced in October.
Combs has been behind bars since his September arrest. He faced federal charges of coercing girlfriends into having drug-fuelled sex marathons with male sex workers while he watched and filmed them. Story continues below advertisement He was acquitted last month of the top charges - racketeering and sex trafficking.
In denying Combs' US$50-million bond proposal, Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs hadn't proven that he did not pose a flight risk or danger, nor shown an "exceptional circumstance" that would justify his release after a conviction that otherwise requires detention.
Combs' arguments "might have traction in a case that didn't involve evidence of violence, coercion or subjugation in connection with the acts of prostitution at issue, but the record here contains evidence of all three," the judge wrote. Trending Now Texas governor orders arrest of 'delinquent' Democrats who fled to block vote Sydney Sweeney's controversial jeans ad draws praise from President Trump More on Entertainment More videos Sydney Sweeney's controversial jeans ad draws praise from President Trump Comedian Matt Rife is now the legal guardian of 'haunted' Annabelle doll Sean 'Diddy' Combs must stay in jail until sentencing, says judge 'They're real people': Mob focus of JFK assassination flick filmed in Winnipeg Trump praises Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad amid backlash Tastebud tinglers from the Tears of Joy Hot Sauce Expo How Katy Perry turned pain into power through her 2020 album 'Smile' Outrage over Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad is pure hypocrisy In a court filing, Combs' defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo had claimed conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn were "dangerous," and said defendants convicted in the past of prostitution-related charges that were similar to Combs' were typically released before their sentencing.
Combs' sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 3."Though Mr. Combs has been a model inmate for his nearly yea