A federal judge may be forced to remove a juror from Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile sex trafficking trial after prosecutors accused the man of lying about his residency during jury selection.

According to a new court filing, the juror allegedly told a court officer that he lived in New Jersey — not the Bronx, as he previously claimed — a detail that would make him ineligible to serve on a federal jury in Manhattan.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian expressed serious concerns over the juror’s credibility, stating: “The changing answers and inconsistency give the court worry about deception and lying, which further implicate the veracity of other answers, including to questions that go to the heart of the case. Removal of the juror is required in this court's view."

However, Diddy’s defense team pushed back, arguing that removing the juror would result in a less diverse jury. The juror in question is a middle-aged Black man, and if dismissed, he would be replaced by a white, middle-aged architect from Westchester County — a more affluent and less diverse New York City suburb.

“It is going to be a less diverse jury. That is a fact,” defense attorney Xavier Donaldson told the court. “I don’t generally play the race card. I’m not saying I’m playing it now.”

The dispute adds another layer of complexity to the closely watched trial. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting individuals across state lines to engage in prostitution.

Jury deliberations are expected to begin later this month.

Source: ABC News