Diddy’s attorney hinted as to why he dramatically stepped away from the music mogul’s case

SEAN “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer has sensationally quit the music mogul’s legal team plunging the rapper into a new crisis.

Anthony Ricco issued a mysterious statement saying he “cannot continue”.

Headshot of Sean "Diddy" Combs.
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Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer has quit the rapper’s legal teamCredit: AP

Anthony Ricco, attorney for Sean "Diddy" Combs, speaks to reporters outside a Manhattan court.
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Anthony Ricco issued a mysterious statement as he quitCredit: AP

Courtroom sketch of Sean "Diddy" Combs with his attorney.
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A courtroom sketch of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and attorney Anthony Ricco at a federal court hearing on October 10, 2024Credit: Reuters
Ricco issued a surprise motion to withdraw from counsel on Friday in New York.

The lawyer’s message to the court included a cryptic message hinting at why he dropped Diddy.

His motion said: “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 added: “There are sufficient reasons (related to the protections afforded by the attorney/client privilege) for brevity in my application for withdrawal as counsel in this case”.

The lawyer also said his decision to leave would allow the music mogul to move forward with the case and start his trial without delay.

Diddy is due to start his trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in May.

The rapper denies all the allegations against him.

Ricco also said he spoke with the disgraced rapper’s lead counsel, Mark Agnifilo, before filing the motion.

Combs, 55, is currently locked up in a Brooklyn jail while awaiting trial.

The famed rapper is accused of abusing several women and leading Bad Boy Records as a “criminal enterprise” for more than a decade.

Diddy gave signal he was having sex with underage girls, ex-insider reveals
He has pleaded not guilty to these charges but could face life in prison if he is convicted on all counts.

Several people have filed indictments against the rapper.

Diddy was previously charged with subjecting “Victim-1” to sex trafficking, who is believed to be his former girlfriend, singer Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie.

Federal prosecutors then added “Victim-2” and “Victims-3” to his bombshell case.

Lead counsel Marc Agnifilo claimed the shocking update was “flawed”.

He said: “The latest Indictment contains no new offenses. The prosecution’s theory remains flawed.”

SICK ORDERS

Diddy was also hit with a lawsuit from his former assistant Phillip Pines.

Pines claimed the rapper once ordered him to have sex with a girl to prove his loyalty to the “king”.

Photo of Sean Combs, also known as Diddy.
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Diddy could face life in prison if he is convicted on all countsCredit: AFP

Cassie and Sean Combs at a film premiere.
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‘Victim-1’ in the federal lawsuit against Diddy is believed to be his former girlfriend CassieCredit: Getty

The ex-assistant claimed he was made to do this a one of Diddy’s notorious “Freak Off” parties

He made these claims in a gut-wrenching documentary titled “The Fall of Diddy”.

Pines accused the disgraced music icon of sexual battery, sexual harassment and other claims in a lawsuit.

PRISON WOES

The rapper has reportedly faced several issues while locked up.

Diddy was reportedly rushed to hospital at around 10pm on February 1.

Doctors completed an MRI scan on Combs after he complained his “knee was bothering him”, a source said.

Combs has had a long history of knee issues in the past which started after he ran the New York marathon.

Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
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Diddy is currently being kept at the Metropolitan Detention Center in BrooklynCredit: Mega

Sean "Diddy" Combs and Kim Porter with their twin daughters.
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Diddy with Kim Porter with their twin daughters D’Lila and Jessie at ‘The Real White Party’ in 2007Credit: Getty
After routine tests at the hospital, he was reportedly transported back to jail and marched to his cell.

Diddy allegedly also appeared astonishingly thinner and grey at a recent court hearing after four months in federal custody.

He is also thought to have had a Christmas meltdown in jail as he couldn’t believe he was still behind bars over the festive period.

The music mogul reportedly begged guards to be taken to a prison hospital for observation – claiming he believed he was suffering a breakdown.

Guards at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center refused Diddy’s bizarre request, according to a source close to the rapper.

Sean Combs pouring tequila at a party.
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Diddy at an event on May 01, 2023, in New York CityCredit: Getty

Group of people laughing at a table.
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Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Cassie at a 2016 MTV Video Music Awards after partyCredit: Getty