AceShowbiz - Anthony Ricco, one of the attorneys representing the disgraced music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, has filed a motion to withdraw from his legal duties tied to the high-profile case.

The motion, filed on Thursday, February 20 in the Southern District of New York, cites discussions with lead counsel Mark Agnifilo and adherence to the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice as reasons for his departure.

Despite providing "the high level of legal representation expected by the court," Ricco asserts, "Under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Diddy."

Anthony Ricco, who began representing Diddy on September 22, 2024, insists that his withdrawal will not cause any delay in the trial proceedings, which are slated to begin in May, nor will it disrupt the current schedule for briefing pre-trial legal issues.

He also believes his departure will not result in a "lapse in representation" since Diddy still retains a strong legal team, including Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos alongside three other attorneys. This ensures the rapper will have continuous legal support.

Diddy was arrested in September and has since been held in federal custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. He stands accused of a series of severe crimes, including assault, blackmail, and kidnapping, dating as far back as 2008. Multiple attempts to secure his release on bond was thwarted by a judge.

If convicted on all counts, Diddy faces a life sentence.

The rapper also launched defamation lawsuits, including a $100 million lawsuit against NBCUniversal for Peacock's documentary "Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy".

As the trial date approaches, the developments within Diddy' legal team and the ongoing legal maneuvers will continue to capture public attention, marking a pivotal moment in the public and legal downfall of a once-revered music icon.