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    David Gelman Joins Daily Mail’s The Trial of Diddy Podcast

    David Gelman joins the Trial of Diddy Podcast

    Criminal defense attorney David Gelman of Gelman Law recently joined the Daily Mail’s “The Trial of Diddy” podcast to discuss the latest in Sean Diddy Combs’ criminal case with hosts Marjorie Hernandez and Kayla Brantley. In the podcast, Attorney Gelman breaks it all down: the recorded phone call between Kanye and Diddy, possible reasons behind Anthony Ricco’s decision to step down from Diddy’s legal team, whether Diddy will take a plea deal, and everything in between. Keep reading for an insider’s look and be sure to catch the podcast at the link below! 

    Recorded Phone Call Between Diddy and Kanye—David Gelman Breaks Down the Possible Implications 

    One of the biggest stories to come out of Diddy’s criminal case more recently is the phone call between him and Kanye West, which Kanye had recorded. 

    “He was telling Kanye that people are out to get him,” the “Trial of Diddy” hosts said to Gelman. “What do you make of that? Is this something that’s normal to jailhouse phone calls?” 

    “No,” Gelman responded. “Number one, it’s illegal. You’re not allowed to record things from the jail.” He continued, “I don’t know if this was something that was pre-planned by Diddy and Kanye and the people. It could have been. I have no idea. But it just doesn’t sound good.” 

    Sources claimed that Diddy had no prior knowledge that his phone call with Kanye was being recorded. As for where liability with that illegal activity would fall, Gelman says, “Definitely on Kanye. It depends on Diddy. Look, if he had no idea and if it’s proven that, then yeah, you can’t blame Diddy because hell, the guy’s in prison. How’s he going to do anything or record anything or know about it,” Gelman explained. “But if he did know and he did authorize this, then yeah, he could have even more trouble than what he’s already in.” 

    Regarding the recording, Gelman explained that, in order to record calls, prisoners need permission from the jail and federal government first. “If you don’t have that,” Gelman said, “you’re not allowed to do it. It’s very simple, it’s cut and dry. So I don’t know if there’s an investigation going on right now about this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is.” Combs is currently housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY, which is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

    As Gelman noted to the hosts, prisoners are aware of the rules, including what they can and cannot do when it comes to phone privileges: “…a phone call or a visitation, that’s a highlight,” Gelman said. “And if you violate the conditions, you’re not going to get them anymore.” 

    David Gelman Analyzes Anthony Ricco’s Decision to Step Down From Diddy’s Legal Team 

    Diddy has surrounded himself with a powerful legal team, including Anthony Ricco who most famously represented Osama bin Laden. However, according to AP News, on February 20, 2025, Ricco filed notice in a Manhattan federal court stating, “under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel.” 

    “But I was just wondering what you thought about his decision to step down from Diddy’s legal team,” the podcast host asked. 

    “So when you step down from a case, there’s usually one of two reasons. Mainly, the first one is money, not getting paid. Very simple,” Gelman responded. “We talked about this at length before, I know. But I don’t know how much Diddy has paid these firms. But if Diddy isn’t paying anymore or he’s refusing to pay, that’s a basis to potentially try to get out of the case because you’re still in the middle of everything right now and you’re going to do a ton more work, especially if this goes to trial.” 

    But what about the second possible reason? The answer, according to Gelman, “…would be that the client is being an asshole.” 

    “Again, a very rich man, very powerful man, used to having his way,” Gelman said of Diddy. “He’s in a jail cell now where, you know, he’s very tight, tightly compound, and he’s probably not in a very good mood. I wouldn’t be in a good mood either, and nobody would be in a good mood. I think it’s probably fair to say that he’s probably not being the easiest client to deal with now. Now, if they look at the paycheck, they’re going to be like oh, okay I remember why I’m representing them. But, you know, if that paycheck has dried up, then they’re probably saying you know, I don’t know if this is worth it.” 

    There could be a third reason: that it was a mutually-agreed upon departure. “And Diddy could also have said, you know what, I don’t want you anymore….And the attorney can then, you know, file a motion to be relieved as counsel…”

    Regardless, Ricco writing “under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel” signals to Gelman that “there’s something there.” 

    Charges Against Diddy 

    In New York, Diddy is facing multiple federal charges, including sexual assault, sex trafficking and allegedly running a criminal enterprise. 

    More recently, he has faced four new allegations of sexual assault, as well as claims of racketeering made against him by producer, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones. Jones was famously one of the producers on Diddy’s The Love Album: Off the Grid. He claimed that he was not only sexually harassed by Diddy, but trafficked by him, alleging that he was told to procure prostitutes for Diddy’s Freak-Off parties. 

    The racketeering claim, however, was dismissed by the U.S. District Judge Paul Oatkin. When asked about this in the podcast, Gelman responded: “So it’s not a flat out dismissal. The judge dismissed five of the eight counts there.” 

    “But the facts of the case, reading it, it was very weak to begin with. And you could kind of tell that it was a money grab. This was about him not getting royalties from Diddy from a video they did in 22,” Gelman continued. 

    Despite the explosive claims, Gelman reminded the hosts that “This was towards the end of the lawsuit train, if you will, for Diddy. So you know, this guy, he’s just pretty much piling on whatever else he’s heard and all these other allegations. But then the big thing is that he has restitution where he wasn’t paid for his royalties. So I think this is kind of a payback for him to Diddy, although it didn’t really turn out that way for him.” 

    As for whether other charges against Diddy will be dismissed, Gelman said he doesn’t think so: “Having them all dismissed, I don’t think that’s realistic and I don’t think that’s going to happen.” 

    Despite Jones’ claim being dismissed, the judge ordered that the sexual assault allegations against Diddy could still move forward. 

    Will Diddy Take a Plea Deal? David Gelman Weighs in on the Possibility

    In a candid response, Gelman told host Marjorie Hernandez, “I have no idea what Diddy’s thinking right now, if he’s thinking of a plea deal or not. But if I’m his attorneys, I’m definitely trying to at least get the best plea deal possible to present to Diddy.” 

    Ultimately the decision will be Diddy’s to take a plea deal, if one is presented to him. “Is he going to go home or is he going to stay in prison?” asked Gelman. “I don’t know if he’s ordered them to negotiate that or not, but I think it would be bad lawyering if they didn’t at least try to negotiate to get something.” 

    As for what that would possibly look like, Gelman said, “I can’t answer that for the simple reason that it seems like the government, on its face, that they’re really going after Diddy. And he is persona non grata, if you will.” 

    Check out the podcast here to learn what happens next. 

    At this time, Diddy has denied all of the allegations against him. 

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