Anthony Ricco, the lawyer of music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs, has announced that he will no longer represent the singer, three months before his trial is set to begin.
Combs, 55, is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York and awaiting trial over allegations of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The charges relate to incidents which allegedly occurred at 'freak off' parties which were held in his Los Angeles mansion.
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Combs has strongly denied all charges against him and pleaded not guilty.
His trial is currently scheduled to take place in May.
The lawyer confirmed his decision to step down from the rapper's legal team today (21 February) by filing a withdraw of counsel with a New York court.
The withdrawal filed by Ricco states the following: "Under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs, consistent with the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice."
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The withdrawal continues: "While I am aware that the Local Rule requires that an application for withdrawal of counsel is supported and granted 'only upon a showing by affidavit or otherwise of satisfactory reasons for withdrawal,' 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."
Ricco stated the decision had come after discussion between himself and lead counsel Mark Agnifilo but provided no further detail as to why he had decided to step down.
"This motion for withdrawal of counsel, if granted, will not result in a delay of the present schedule for the commencement of jury selection and trial, or the present schedules for briefing of pre- trial legal issues," the motion continued.
"As a result, there will be no lapse in representation, as Sean Combs will continue to be represented by five other attorneys of record.
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"It is respectfully but regrettably requested that the court grant the relief requested in the annexed notice of motion, and permit counsel Anthony L. Ricco to withdraw as attorney of record."
It's currently believed the decision won't impact Combs' 5 May trial date and will continue to be represented by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos.
Brenna Cooper