Nicolas Maduro hires Sean Diddy's former lawyer to defend accusations in next trial

Venezuela's ousted president, Nicolas Maduro, hires music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs in his defense.

Maduro is due to appear in federal court in Manhattan on June 30 for a hearing at which his lawyers are expected to discuss the pre-trial motions they plan to make to try to get the charges dismissed.

Pollack has signaled he is prepared to challenge the legality of what he called Maduro's "abduction" by the U.S. military during a January 3 raid on his home in Caracas.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office, which brought the charges against Combs and Maduro, declined to comment.

Maduro chose Anna Estevao of law firm Harris Trzaskoma as part of the defense team as a competent lawyer that secured acquittals for Combs on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, which could have landed him in prison for life.

He sought to portray Casandra Ventura on Thursday as a willing participant in his drug-fueled sex performances known as "Freak Offs," in a bid to undercut prosecutors at the hip-hop mogul's sex trafficking trial.

Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, is the star government witness against Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Combs was found guilty on two lesser prostitution-related counts and is serving a 50-month prison sentence at a federal lockup in New Jersey. He is appealing his convictions and his sentence.

Maduro has pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges. He is jailed in Brooklyn ahead of trial.

Additionally, the Venezualian former leader is due to appear in federal court in Manhattan on ​June 30 for a hearing at which his lawyers are expected ​to discuss ⁠the pre-trial motions they plan to make to try to get the charges dismissed.