<p id=”par-1_71″>There has been a massive development in <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/sean-diddy-combs/?swcfpc=1″>Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’</a> criminal case. While the disgraced music mogul remains behind bars at a federal facility in New York City, his legal team will need to scramble to alter their duties. A key member of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-freak-off-guests-coming-defense-according-source.html/”>Diddy’s defense team</a> has opted to step down, offering an ominous explanation for the sudden change of heart just a few months before the case goes to trial.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-anthony-ricco-is-dropping-sean-diddy-combs-as-a-client”>Anthony Ricco is dropping Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs as a client</h2>
<p id=”par-2_35″>Anthony Ricco has opted to step away from Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal battle. The music mogul hired the attorney in September 2024. Federal agents arrested Diddy on sex trafficking and racketeering charges the same month.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Anthony-Ricco.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Attorney Anthony Ricco (C) leaves after the not guilty verdict was read by Judge Arthur Cooperman in the Sean Bell shooting trial at the State Supreme Court April 25, 2008 ” class=”wp-image-3780063″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Attorney Anthony Ricco leaves a courthouse | Julia Xanthos-Pool/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_61″>The defense attorney, who has worked on many high-profile cases and is a law professor, told a New York judge that he could not continue as legal counsel for Diddy. In a filing, Ricco said, “Under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs.” He went on to request that a judge grant his relief request.</p>
<p id=”par-4_124″>While the statement might sound ominous, there is a good reason for the mysterious nature of it. According to<a target=”_blank” href=”https://nypost.com/2025/02/21/us-news/sean-diddy-combs-lawyer-quits-sex-trafficking-case-under-no-circumstances-can-i-continue/” rel=”noreferrer noopener”> the New York Post</a>, Ricco’s statement was so brief because he must protect attorney-client privilege. In short, Ricco’s reason for quitting may be directly tied to something he learned while interacting with Diddy or the other lawyers on the case. He can not share that information. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-diddy-is-working-with-other-lawyers-already”>Diddy is working with other lawyers already</h2>
<p id=”par-5_56″>Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal defense might have hit a setback with the resignation of Anthony Ricco. The rapper won’t be starting over with new counsel, though. Ricco was just one of six members of his team. None of his other lawyers have indicated that they’ll be resigning. So, who are the other lawyers working with Diddy?</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Diddy-Lawyers.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Marc Agnifilo (R) and Teny Geragos (L) leave the courthouse together following a hearing in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ criminal case. ” class=”wp-image-3780066″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Marc Agnifilo (R) and Teny Geragos (L) leave a courthouse together | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-6_87″>According to several sources, Mark Agnifilo is the lead counsel on Diddy’s criminal defense team. The Brooklyn Law School graduate is renowned for defending complex, high-profile cases. He has represented clients charged with everything from sex trafficking to bribery. Agnifilo has not spoken about Ricco’s decision to remove himself from the case. Interestingly enough, Agnifilo’s wife, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, is serving as Luigi Mangione’s legal counsel. Mangione, who stands accused of shooting and killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is housed in <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/are-sean-diddy-combs-and-luigi-mangione-in-the-same-cell-block.html/”>the same institution as Diddy.</a></p>
<p id=”par-7_55″>Teny Geragos, who has appeared on several news shows since Diddy’s arrest, and Alexandra Shapiro are also working on the case, according to <a href=”https://www.newsweek.com/diddy-sean-combs-news-lawyers-jail-1973625#:~:text=Representing%20Combs%20in%20court%20is,with%20lots%20of%20notable%20experience.” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Newsweek</a>. There are reportedly additional lawyers involved. Each lawyer took on a different aspect of Diddy’s complex criminal charges. According to the publication, Shapiro took the lead on <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-expects-serious-downgrade-lifestyle-granted-bail.html/”>Diddy’s unsuccessful bail requests.</a></p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-2172766878.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=’ Members of the media wait outside Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on September 17, 2024 in New York City. Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in Manhattan on September 16 in a sex trafficking probe following a federal indictment.’ class=”wp-image-3780069″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Media frenzy outside the Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on September 17, 2024 | James Devaney/GC Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p id=”par-8_54″>It’s unclear how Ricco’s decision to step down will affect Diddy’s case and how his team will proceed now. Still, Ricco insists there has been no disruption, and<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-trial-date-likely-pushed-may-2025.html/”> the timeline for the trial</a> remains the same. Diddy’s trial is expected to begin in May, but it wouldn’t be unheard of for that to change.</p>