Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs adds Young Thug’s lawyer to legal team
Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs has bolstered his defence team by adding Young Thug’s highly sought-after lawyer, Brian Steel. Steel applied to join Combs’ trial team in a court filing on April 15th, asking to be specially admitted as an out-of-state lawyer in his criminal case.
Combs’ trial is set to begin on May 5th, with the Bad Boy rapper facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution. Currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Combs has pled not guilty to all five counts in the indictment.
Steel represented Thug during his two-year trial related to his YSL gang and racketeering case in Atlanta. He was released from prison in October after accepting a plea deal in which he was sentenced to time served and a total of 15 years of probation.
Douglas Weinstein, who represented Thug’s co-defendant, Yak Gotti, told Rolling Stone, “Brian is a legend, especially after YSL. His insights, tenacity and character will be a phenomenal addition to Mr Combs’ team. I saw it in person during the YSL trial. I wish I could be a fly on the wall with whatever happens. He’s a legend in Georgia.”
He added, “I think his humanity coupled with his integrity is necessary in the Combs case. He is a genuine person. If you spend any degree of time with him, you know it’s totally real.”
In February, Drake released a song named after Steel. The track appeared on his collaborative album with PARTYNEXTDOOR, Some Sexy Songs 4 U. Drizzy raps in the song, “Shout Brian Steel, take off the cuffs, we leavin’ now.”
Reacting to the record, Steel told The New York Times, “I have had the honour and pleasure of meeting with Mr Graham. He is so kind, considerate, generous, inspirational, intelligent—a true leader and great model for our community.”