As jury choice in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal intercourse trafficking and racketeering trial is ready to start in early Could, his authorized group is reportedly seeing a significant addition within the type of L.A.-based legal professional Mark Geragos, who has made a reputation for himself defending each beloved and deeply maligned celebrities and public figures over the previous a number of many years.
Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder, Jodi Arias, Jussie Smollett, Scott Peterson and lots of extra family names make up Geragos’ record of previous purchasers as he went to trial to defend them in opposition to allegations of kid molestation, shoplifting, homicide within the first diploma and submitting false studies with police. His shopper record alone signifies that not each case has been a feather within the cap for the celeb lawyer, however he’s famend for offering a rigorous protection and infrequently pulling off shocking wins in California’s courthouses.
Whereas he has not formally been confirmed as a part of the Combs protection group, a spot appeared to open when legal professional Anthony Ricco withdrew from his case. He filed the movement to withdraw in Manhattan federal courtroom on Feb. 20, cryptically stating, “in no way can I proceed to successfully function counsel [for Combs].”
Combs and Geragos have a number of different ties, too. For many years, Kenny Meiselas, the daddy of Ben Meiselas, a companion at Geragos’ namesake legislation agency, has been Combs’ private lawyer. And Geragos has said publicly that he has been buddies with Combs for at the very least a decade and stated he has represented the rap star prior to now — although it’s unclear exactly how, and, if this illustration was in courtroom circumstances, which of them Geragos was concerned with.
Since Combs’ homes had been raided in March 2024, Geragos has appeared on tv information, significantly on NewsNation’s Cuomo with former CNN host Chris Cuomo, as a visitor and pundit to debate his good friend and generally shopper’s case. Right here’s a have a look at a number of the statements about Diddy and his authorized woes over the previous 12 months.
In March 2024, Geragos appeared as a part of a panel of visitors on Cuomo and described the federal raids on Combs’ L.A. and Miami houses as a “shock and awe message.” The legal professional, who was not identified to be related to Combs professionally, recommended that it was aimed toward pressuring potential witnesses to cooperate with authorities.
After CNN’s launch in Could of that 12 months of stunning and horrifying surveillance video from 2016 that exhibits Combs assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles resort, Geragos expressed skepticism in regards to the timing and motive behind the leak, suggesting it was strategically launched following the raids. Final month, when Combs’ authorized group informed the courtroom that CNN altered the footage, Geragos zeroed in on the matter on his 2 Offended Males podcast. As his co-host, TMZ’s Harvey Levin stated he can’t see why the footage can be admissible at trial, Geragos hung out on the podcast deeply questioning why the community would alter a bit of media that’s so damaging.
Lastly, throughout an October TV look, Geragos hung out casting doubt on the credibility of witness Courtney Burgess, who claims to have intercourse tapes that includes Combs and a few of his celeb buddies. Geragos has questioned the authenticity of the proof and publicly indicated that Burgess’ declare about having or having seen the footage “doesn’t move the scent take a look at.” The legal professional additionally stated on Information Nation’s Cuomo that he questions the prosecution’s motives concerning Burgess.
“I think that the prosecutors introduced him in entrance of the grand jury to run it down,” Geragos informed host Chris Cuomo. “As a result of I don’t assume something anyone’s shopping for what he’s promoting.”
