Sean “Diddy” Combs is losing part of his legal team.
As the embattled music mogul faces down a torrent of civil suits and a federal sexual abuse and racketeering case, one of his lawyers, Anthony Ricco, is calling it quits. In a motion filed in New York Federal Court Friday, Ricco notified the judge of his intent to withdraw, adding it had followed discussions with Combs’ lead counsel Marc Agnifilo.
“Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” Ricco wrote.
He declined to offer the specific details that led to the decision, citing attorney/client privilege in the filing. USA TODAY has reached out to Ricco, Agnifilo, and Combs for further comment.
Ricco represents only one lawyer in a larger team that is working to defend Combs against accusations of rape and sex trafficking. The Bad Boy Records founder has maintained his innocence even as more alleged victims have come forward to outline a pattern of abuse spanning much of the producer’s career.
Most recently, lawyers for Combs have argued that the federal indictment which, in part, accuses the rapper of transportation to engage in prostitution leans on a “racist” law.
Credit: USA Today