Prosecutors argued in a motion filed Friday that material recovered from Combs’s Metropolitan Detention Center cell in Brooklyn suggests efforts to silence the victims or secure favorable testimony. “The clear conclusion is that the defendant’s goal is to blackmail victims and witnesses into either silence or provide helpful testimony in his defense. “A charge that is often seen in mob trials or Mexican Mafia-style cases,” he said.

Prosecutors cited Combs’ “tireless efforts to contact potential witnesses” and the possibility of further obstruction of justice if released.

Read this also Diddy ‘broke’ prison rules, ‘corrupted’ jurors, used his children to blackmail victims: report

However, Combs’ lawyers hit back on Monday, saying, “This search and seizure is a violation of Mr. Combs’s Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights.”

“The targeted seizure of a pre-trial detainee’s work product and privileged materials – made in preparation for trial – is an outrageous government conduct tantamount to a violation of due process.”

Combs’ legal team challenges prosecution’s use of seized notes

Prosecutors say they followed protocol by engaging a “filter team” to review seized items. This team redacted potentially privileged material before providing the information to the prosecution team. They also claimed that their actions complied with legal standards and that nothing privileged was used improperly.

The legal battle over the seized notes has intensified ahead of a federal judge’s decision on whether Combs should be set to set $50 million bail and released to home detention. Combs has been in custody since his arrest in September and is pleading not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and facilitating prostitution.

Read this also Prosecutors say Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is trying to obstruct justice from jail

Prosecutors argue that releasing him would increase the risk of witness tampering and jury influence, citing evidence of his alleged attempts to contact victims and witnesses from prison. They also accused Combs of using third-party services such as ContactMeASAP and PAC numbers belonging to other inmates to communicate with unauthorized individuals. Specific examples include a phone call with “Witness-2”, which prosecutors believe revealed a payment intended to influence testimony.

Former federal prosecutor Nema Rahmani told Los Angeles Times“Prisoners do not have a Fourth Amendment expectation of privacy in prison. Guards can search his cell without probable cause or a warrant.