Sean Combs has lost a lawyer.

Anthony Ricco, one of the attorneys representing the music mogul in his criminal sex trafficking case, submitted a request to withdraw from Combs’ legal team in a New York City court on Thursday. 

“Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” Ricco wrote in the document, which has been reviewed by Entertainment Weekly.

Combs will still be represented by five other lawyers, including Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, following Ricco’s departure.

Representatives for Combs declined to comment on the development.

Ricco is no stranger to controversial and highly publicized cases: he previously served as a defense attorney in the World Trade Center bombing case and United States v. Usama Bin Laden.

Combs’ recent bout of legal troubles began in Nov. 2023, when singer Cassie Ventura sued the musician alleging rape and physical abuse in November. Ventura settled the case the following day, but her public accusations inspired more plaintiffs to come forward in the following weeks with their own abuse allegations against Combs, who denied these allegations.

Then, in March 2024, federal agents raided Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami homes during an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Combs slammed the raids, calling them a “gross overuse of military-level force” in a statement via a lawyer the next day.

In May 2024, a video of Combs physically assaulting Ventura circulated online, which led to the musician making a public apology. “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs stated in a video. “I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

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In July, adult film actress Adria English filed her own lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual assault. The musician denied these allegations as well.

Combs was arrested in Manhattan in September following a grand jury indictment. He pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The musician’s federal trial is scheduled to begin May 5.