Diddy and Harvey Weinstein found themselves at the center of two of the most high-profile legal battles in recent memory and now the attorney who just defended Weinstein is weighing in on Diddy’s federal RICO case—calling it shaky at best.
Arthur Aidala, who represented Weinstein through his latest New York retrial, told TMZ that federal prosecutors have a long road ahead if they want to make racketeering charges stick against Diddy.
“From the testimony I’ve heard so far, the prosecution still—apparently, they have a week of evidence left. They got their work cut out for them to make this a RICO case,” Aidala said outside the federal courthouse.
#KevinOLeary says the #LA protests over #Trump’s #ICE raids need to stop — not for politics, but because they’re crushing small businesses… which he calls the real un-American crime. #Exclusive story HERE: https://t.co/TpxHaBCYrw pic.twitter.com/CKSuHw2apH
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 12, 2025
Aidala’s remarks came just one day after his client, Weinstein, was convicted on one count of first-degree criminal sexual act for assaulting production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006.
The jury acquitted Weinstein on another charge and deadlocked on a third, leading to a partial mistrial.
The verdict added to Weinstein’s already lengthy prison sentence, including a 16-year term from a California conviction he is appealing, according to NBC News.
As for Diddy, he is facing a sweeping federal indictment that includes allegations of sex trafficking, forced labor, drug distribution and firearms violations.
Prosecutors claim he led a criminal enterprise that used his music and business empire to facilitate and conceal serious crimes, including the trafficking of men and women and acts of violence.
Diddy’s trial, which started May 12, featured several high-profile witnesses, including Cassie, who testified about the abuse she suffered at her ex-boyfriend’s hands and his proclivity for baby oil and men’s semen.
A former assistant known as Mia testified that Diddy physically abused her and sexually assaulted her while she worked for him.
Earlier this week, a witness identified only as “Jane” echoed much of Cassie’s testimony regarding freak-offs, drug use, Diddy’s fondness for sperm and forced sexual intercourse with a variety of male escorts.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys believe that Diddy’s trial will wrap up in the first week of July.
Despite such sensational testimony, Aidala questioned whether the federal courthouse is the proper venue for such charges.
“This is the Federal courthouse [where he is standing], where there are no real strong sex abuse, sex charges, whereas that’s the State courthouse, where there’s a ton of them. So if Mr. Combs was charged with the same type of crimes in that courthouse [State], I think he’d have a big problem. But in this courthouse, it’s a stretch.”
Aidala’s comments come as Diddy continues to deny all allegations and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Meanwhile, Weinstein’s legal saga is far from over.
Manhattan prosecutors said they are prepared to retry him on the unresolved rape charge involving Jessica Mann.
A hearing to determine the next steps is scheduled for July 2.
Related
