Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
This is a complimentary newsletter for Diddy on Trial subscribers. Sign up to receive exclusive reporting and in-depth analysis throughout Sean Combs’ federal legal proceedings regarding sex trafficking allegations.
With jury selection in United States v. Combs just nine days away, today’s Diddy on Trial edition introduces the presiding judge and legal teams involved. Plus, we address a subscriber question. First, a recap of our recent coverage:
- Judge Arun Subramanian ruled during a Friday hearing that graphic surveillance footage depicting Diddy assaulting his former girlfriend, singer Cassie, at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, can be presented during the trial, as reported by Adam Reiss from the courtroom.
- Kristina Khorram, Diddy’s former chief of staff, maintained a close professional relationship with him for years, which has resulted in considerable scrutiny. She is implicated in at least three civil lawsuits alleging she aided in concealing his behavior, although she faces no criminal charges. Janelle Griffith provides the details.
- Prosecutors intend to call forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes as an expert witness. She has played a significant role in several high-profile legal cases, notably the 2021 prosecution of singer R. Kelly and the defamation trial involving actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. I examined her background and expertise.
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here for daily updates during the trial, including exclusive insights and analysis from our team inside the courthouse. For questions, reach out at [email protected].
Reader Inquiries
Reader Joe Demosthenes asks about the potential witness list. Janelle provides the following response:
The witness roster remains confidential, with the possibility of it staying undisclosed. However, federal prosecutors have indicated via court filings that four women—all accusers—are slated to testify during Diddy’s trial.
To protect their privacy, three of the accusers will testify under pseudonyms, though their identities are known to Diddy and his legal representatives. The accuser designated as Victim-1 in the indictment makes claims that closely mirror those of Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie.
According to the filing, Victim-1 is prepared to testify using her real name.
Key Figures: The Judge and Lawyers in the Diddy Sex Trafficking Case
By Daniel Arkin
Courtroom proceedings often bear a striking resemblance to theatrical performances. The individuals involved frequently appear as characters in a compelling, high-stakes drama.
Consider this section of Diddy on Trial as a concise guide to some of the principal players in this legal drama. Over the coming weeks and months, readers will become increasingly familiar with their names.
Presiding Judge: Arun Subramanian
First, let’s focus on Judge Arun Subramanian. Subramanian has served on the federal bench for approximately two years. He received a nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from then-President Joe Biden in 2022 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2023 with a 59-37 vote. (Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reportedly recommended Subramanian to Biden.)
For Subramanian, who previously clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and worked at the prestigious Manhattan law firm Susman Godfrey, Diddy’s trial represents his most prominent judicial assignment thus far.
Defense Team
Diddy’s lead attorneys possess substantial experience in high-profile cases. Marc Antony Agnifilo, a seasoned criminal defense lawyer, has previously represented figures such as NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli.
Agnifilo will be supported by Teny Geragos, a partner at his firm. According to the firm’s website, she has “particularly experienced in defending and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct.” She is also the daughter of renowned defense lawyer Mark Geragos, whose client list includes artists Michael Jackson and Chris Brown.
Additional Legal Representation
The court docket lists five additional attorneys on Diddy’s side, with Alexandra Shapiro and Brian Steel also named in the case. Steel, a recent addition to the defense team, represented prominent rapper Young Thug during a lengthy criminal trial in Georgia.
Prosecution Team
The same docket identifies eight attorneys representing the federal government, with five designated as lead prosecutors. These include Emily Anne Johnson, Madison Reddick Smyser, Mary Christine Slavik, Meredith Foster, and Mitzi Steiner.
Maurene Ryan Comey, a veteran of the Southern District who played a role in securing a conviction against Ghislaine Maxwell for her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein, is also part of the prosecution team. Maurene Comey is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey.