Sean “Diddy” Combs Acquitted of Sex Trafficking and Racketeering, Convicted of Prostitution Offense
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found guilty of transportation for prostitution following a landmark trial in New York – but cleared of more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The hip-hop mogul was accused by prosecutors of abusing and coercing three alleged victims, including his former long-term partner, singer and model Cassie Ventura, and other crimes including kidnapping, arson and blackmail.
Jurors decided not all the allegations were proven, but Combs still faces several years in prison after being convicted of transporting people across the US, including Cassie and another former girlfriend “Jane”, and paying male escorts to engage in sexual encounters.
However, with the not guilty verdict on three other more serious charges – racketeering conspiracy and two of sex trafficking – the 55-year-old has avoided a maximum possible sentence of life behind bars.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo called for his client to be released on $1 million bond while awaiting sentencing. Cassie Ventura’s lawyers submitted a letter to the judge asking to deny the defense’s request, and Subramanian ultimately did deny Combs bail. He said he did so because Combs has demonstrated a “disregard for the rule of law and a propensity of violence.”
Judge Arub Subramanian scheduled a remote hearing for next Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET to address the sentencing scheduling. Agnifilo said they would like to expedite the sentencing schedule as much as possible. Agnifilo said the defense is willing to waive a pre-sentencing investigation to expedite the sentencing schedule, if the judge is open to it. But prosecutor Maurene Comey said given the complexity of the trial and the disparity between the parties’ positions on the sentencing guidelines range, she doesn’t believe the court has enough information to sentence Combs without an investigation.
Marc Agnifilo, part of Diddy’s defence team, described the ruling as “a victory of all victories”. Outside the courthouse, he said the jury “got the situation right, or certainly right enough”. While Ventura’s lawyer praised his client in a statement, saying that she “paved the way” for a jury to find Combs guilty on some of the counts against him.
