Sean “Diddy” Combs isn’t backing down from his fight against the government’s case against him. His legal team has filed a new motion to dismiss one of the three federal charges, arguing that the case is a blatant example of racial discrimination.
In a memorandum filed Tuesday evening, reviewed by Variety, Diddy’s lawyers claimed, “No white person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution” under the Mann Act. They also pointed out that his case is the first of its kind, stating, “There has never been a similar RICO prosecution.”
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This argument highlights a historical pattern of the Mann Act being used disproportionately against Black men. The law, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act, has a long history of racially charged applications—most notably used against legendary figures like Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight boxing champion.
Diddy’s Alleged Crimes and the Selective Prosecution Argument
The federal indictment accuses Diddy of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. However, his legal team is specifically challenging Count Three, which covers alleged transportation for prostitution from 2009 to 2024.
According to the filing, these charges stem from allegations that Diddy’s girlfriends and alleged male escorts engaged in consensual sexual activity. His attorneys argue that wealthy white men have engaged in similar conduct without facing the same legal consequences.
They referenced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who was involved in a high-profile prostitution scandal but was never charged under the Mann Act. The filing states, “Many couples, including wealthy high-profile couples, involve third parties in their sexual relationships, sometimes for implicit or explicit remuneration.”
This comparison fuels Diddy’s claim that he is being unfairly targeted because of his status as a powerful Black man. His lawyers argue that the prosecution is reinforcing the racist legacy of the Mann Act.
How the Mann Act Has Historically Targeted Black Men
The Mann Act, enacted in 1910, was originally intended to combat human trafficking, but over the decades, it has been disproportionately used against Black men.
One of the most infamous cases was against Jack Johnson, who was convicted in 1913 for transporting a white woman across state lines. At the time, his case was widely believed to be racially motivated, as he was dating a white woman, which was controversial during the Jim Crow era.
Diddy’s legal team argues that his prosecution under the Mann Act continues this pattern, stating, “This prosecution is yet another instance where [the Mann Act] has been invidiously deployed against a prominent Black man.”
This claim raises serious questions about systemic racism in the justice system. If the Mann Act has rarely, if ever, been used against white men engaging in similar behavior, then why is Diddy facing these charges now?
Diddy’s Legal Battle Continues Behind Bars
As Diddy fights these charges, he remains incarcerated in Brooklyn ahead of his May 2025 trial. Facing racketeering and sex trafficking charges, he is gearing up for what could be the most defining legal battle of his life.
Despite the serious allegations, his legal team is working aggressively to dismantle the case against him. The selective prosecution argument is just one of the many legal strategies they’re deploying.
The judge’s ruling on this motion will be crucial in determining the future of Diddy’s case. If the court finds that racial discrimination played a role in the charges, it could set a legal precedent for similar cases in the future.