Legal

Diddy's defense may be aided by the fact there's a lot of noise about celebrity sex tapes and minors being involved in the Diddy criminal case ... those two things are NOT part of the case, and it could have a profound effect on jurors.

On the "2 Angry Men" podcast, Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos explored one of the perceptions out there about the Diddy criminal case ... and how it may swing the jury.

There's a false narrative that celebrity sex tapes and minors are part of the prosecution's evidence against Diddy ... with some folks out there, including potential jurors, under the false impression this case is the hip hop version of Jeffrey Epstein.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is just a few days away from standing trial in federal court, and we've got the answers to all the basic questions you may have. Read below to catch up on everything you need to know.

Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024, in the lobby of the Park Hyatt New York hotel in Manhattan. The shocking arrest was caught on surveillance footage, obtained by TMZ.

Diddy was initially charged with three federal counts -- one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; one count of transportation to engage in prostitution; and one count of racketeering conspiracy. In April 2025, he was hit with two more charges -- another sex trafficking count, and another transportation to engage in prostitution charge, bringing the total number to five. He's pled not guilty to all charges.

Lil Durk is still in for the legal fight of his life ... prosecutors introduced a new charge against the Chicago rap star, alleging his stalking tactics led to the victim's death!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained the new legal docs filed against Durk on May 1 ... prosecutors have now charged him with one count of stalking resulting in death.

Prosecutors maintain Durk's rap career is not on trial, but claimed he still poses a flight risk for his alleged role in the execution of Quando Rondo's cousin, Saviay'a Robinson, in August 2022.

5/3 5:23 PM PT -- A spokesperson for Chumba Casino tells TMZ it "operates its social casino in strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.  This lawsuit has no merit and Chumba will vigorously defend its legal right to operate its business."

The rep adds, "Our brand ambassador Ryan Seacrest is not involved in the operation of Chumba’s business, and it is unfortunate that he has been unfairly targeted as part of this suit."

2:25 PM PT -- A source close to the situation tells TMZ this is just a nuisance lawsuit.

Ryan Seacrest is breaking California law by promoting an illegal online casino ... at least according to a new lawsuit.

The "American Idol" and "Wheel of Fortune" host is being sued by a California resident named Aubrey Carillo, who allegedly lost money on an online casino Ryan often promotes on social media.

In the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Carillo claims ChumbaCasino.com is operating illegally in California and Ryan is serving as the operation's official celebrity endorser.

The federal prosecutors who will be trying to secure a conviction against Diddy in his upcoming trial are all white women ... led by the daughter of former FBI director James Comey.

Maurene Ryan Comey is set to lead the team of U.S. Attorneys from the vaunted Southern District of New York next week in court, when jury selection begins in Diddy's sex trafficking trial.

Maurene's father is the former FBI director who had a controversial role in the 2016 presidential election. James was ultimately fired from his post by President Trump a few months into Trump's first term.

12:48 PM PT -- The creative team behind "Luigi: The Musical" released a statement assuring the public the musical is, "not a celebration of violence of any kind" and they "do not condone violence, sexual assault, or pedophilia in any form."

The legend of Luigi Mangione is growing ... because he's the subject of an upcoming musical, and it's the hottest ticket in San Francisco.

Luigi is the inspiration behind a musical comedy coming to the Taylor Street Theatre in San Francisco, and the play's entire run is already sold out.

"Luigi: The Musical" will also feature Diddy and Sam Bankman-Fried as characters ... with scenes and musical numbers centered around Luigi's time at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where all 3 men are in custody.

Prince Harry won't receive automatic security every time he goes to the UK ... 'cause a court in England just upheld the ruling against the Duke of Sussex and his immediate family receiving publicly funded security in the country.

The Court of Appeal ruled unanimously against Harry ... claiming a committee had not treated him unfairly when it decided to rule on his security on a visit-by-visit basis, rather than providing blanket security.

Prince Harry made a two-day appearance in his home country last month to support his appeal, where his team argued his life may be in danger when he visits the UK ... with security arrangements that were "manifestly inferior."

Ex-NFL superstar Steve Smith allegedly ruined a marriage earlier this year ... and now, he's being sued over it.

Antonio Martinez claims in a lawsuit -- which he filed in North Carolina this week -- that Smith broke up his loving relationship with Nicole Martinez after he "willfully, maliciously and intentionally" seduced her during a September 2024 encounter in Baltimore.

Antonio alleges the former Ravens wideout met Nicole while he was in town to shoot an episode of "The NFL's Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith."

Blake Lively opened up about her difficult year on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" ... admitting this year's been very difficult for her, but she's doing what she can to make the world safer for women and girls.

The actress sat down with the 'SNL' alum Thursday night ... and, Seth brought up her legal drama with Justin Baldoni -- acknowledging that she probably can't say much while the legal battle drags on in court.

BL agrees with Seth before adding that the year has been "full of the highest highs and the lowest lows" of her life.

The Pennsylvania woman cops say admitted to pooping on someone else's car as part of a road rage incident apparently had a lot to say about the matter ... police say she bragged about a clean poop that didn't need toilet paper.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the alleged 'Delco Pooper' Christina Solometo told police, "It was a clean poop, I didn't even have to wipe".

Cops say Solometo was arrested Thursday ... and we obtained her smiling mug shot.

Tragic news from out of Columbus, Ohio about a domestic violence love-triangle double-murder suicide ... turns out warning signs were all in the killer's music playlists!!!

Per The Columbus Dispatch, the Columbus Division of Police identified 19-year-old Aiden David and 21-year-old Giannh Viars as victims of a Thursday morning shooting, at the hands of 23-year-old Michael Hughes, who took his own life.

According to the police, officers rushed to the southeast side of Columbus around 12:20 AM Thursday on reports of a shooting ... only to find all 3 dead on arrival.

WNBA superstar Skylar Diggins -- who told reporters this week she no longer wanted Smith included when referencing her name -- filed for divorce from her husband earlier this year, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 34-year-old hooper filed the docs on March 26 ... which state she initially separated from ex-Notre Dame football player Daniel Smith in November 2024.

In the docs, she requested the split because the "marriage is irretrievably broken."

Diddy was back in court Thursday for one final hearing before his criminal trial ... and he told the judge he rejected a plea deal presented to him by federal prosecutors.

The Bad Boy Records founder strolled into a Manhattan courtroom wearing a tan jail jumpsuit, looking gray and thin ... and he waved to the public and media seated in the gallery before taking a seat at the defense table between two of his attorneys, Teny Geragos and Brian Steel.

Diddy was smiling and in good spirits ... chatting with Teny and Brian ... and he was chummy and seemed unfazed by the upcoming trial.

George Santos says there's a lot of bad hombres behind bars who want to rough him up for one reason or another ... and he's again turning up the pressure on the Federal Bureau of Prisons to keep him safe.

The former New York Congressman joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and we asked him about his warning to the BOP -- that there will be hell to pay if he's brutalized behind bars.

George is set to begin a 7-year sentence this summer and he tells us there's a big target on his back for a number of reasons ... namely, his sexuality and his Congressional activity.

Joaquin Phoenix sure wasn't laughing Monday after his car was stolen from his L.A.-area home ... but "The Joker" star could have the last chuckle 'cause we're told police are now working the case.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the famous actor was not at his house Monday afternoon when his 2022 Volvo SUV -- parked just outside -- was stolen.

John "LJ" Scott Jr.'s death is sparking outrage ... with new video of his arrest appearing to show police dragging him across the ground in a police station.

If you don't know ... Scott died on April 22, about a week after he was taken into custody by Decatur Police in Alabama on April 15 -- with cops saying he suffered a medical emergency and passed away in the hospital.

Police reportedly arrived at an apartment complex on April 15, where they say they found Scott "sweating heavily and exhibiting erratic behavior."