Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Found Guilty of Prostitution, Acquitted of Major Offenses

NEW YORK: Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on July 2 of charges related to prostitution, while being acquitted of more severe allegations during a criminal trial that featured testimonies from two of his former partners, who claimed he subjected them to physical and sexual abuse.

Combs was convicted for facilitating prostitution, but he cleared the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. This outcome marks a partial victory for the music mogul, who has had a significant impact on hip-hop’s place in American culture.

Following the jury’s verdict, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo requested that Judge Subramanian allow Combs to remain on bail. “This is his first conviction and it pertains to prostitution, so he should be released under suitable conditions,” Agnifilo argued.

Combs could receive a maximum prison sentence of 10 years for each prostitution charge. Judge Arun Subramanian will announce Combs’ sentence at a future date. The acquittals on the sex trafficking charges mean he avoids a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years; he could have faced life if convicted of racketeering conspiracy or trafficking.

Prosecutors allege that Combs exploited his extensive business network for two decades to coerce former romantic partners into participating in drug-fueled sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs.” These acts included interactions with male sex workers, under Combs’ observation.

Authorities discovered drugs and approximately 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant intended for these performances during searches of his homes.

At the age of 55, Combs initially pleaded not guilty to all five charges. His legal team conceded that he had occasionally exhibited violent behavior in past relationships but insisted that the conduct described in court was consensual.

CASE SUMMARY

The seven-week trial in a Manhattan federal court delved into the operations of Combs’ business and gave the jury insight into his tumultuous relationships with singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman referred to as Jane.

In November 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs for sex trafficking—this was the first of many civil cases claiming he abused her. Combs, formerly known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, reached a settlement with Ventura for $20 million, consistently denying any wrongdoing.

During the trial, jurors reviewed surveillance footage from 2016 depicting Combs kicking and dragging Ventura outside an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles, where she claimed she was attempting to exit a “Freak Off.”

Jane testified that in June 2024, Combs assaulted her and instructed her to perform oral sex on another entertainer, despite her objections. This occurred shortly after Combs publicly apologized for his 2016 actions against Ventura.

Prosecutors argued that physical violence was one of several tactics Combs used to coerce the women into participating in the performances, classifying this as sex trafficking due to the payment of the male escorts. Both women stated that Combs threatened to withdraw financial support and release explicit photographs if they did not comply.

“The defendant used power, violence, and fear to obtain what he desired,” prosecutor Christy Slavik asserted during her closing remarks on June 26. “He doesn’t accept ‘no’ for an answer.”

Combs’ defense claimed that while he may have exhibited violent behavior in tumultuous relationships, it did not equate to sex trafficking. They argued that both Ventura and Jane were independent women who willingly engaged in the sexual performances in an effort to please him.

Testimony from both women indicated they continued to be involved with Combs despite past violence. The defense suggested they were now falsely accusing him due to their jealousy over his other relationships.

“If he were charged with domestic violence, we wouldn’t all be here,” Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo stated during his closing argument on June 27. “He did not commit the crimes he’s accused of.”

RACKETEERING CONSPIRACY

In addition to the testimonies from Ventura and Jane, jurors heard from Combs’ former personal assistants, who described their roles in arranging hotel accommodations for “Freak Offs” and purchasing drugs for their employer.

A security guard from the InterContinental testified that Combs, alongside his chief of staff, paid him $100,000 to retrieve what he believed was the sole copy of the surveillance video from Combs’ attack on Ventura.

Scott Mescudi, known professionally as Kid Cudi, also provided evidence, suggesting Combs may have been involved in an arson incident involving his vehicle after discovering Cudi was dating Ventura.

Prosecutors contended that these actions were part of a broader racketeering conspiracy by Combs and his associates aimed at facilitating his abuses while suppressing evidence of his misconduct.

Meanwhile, the defense portrayed Combs as a successful businessman who engaged in recreational drug use but maintained a clear divide between his personal and professional lives.

Since his arrest in September 2024, Combs has been in federal custody in Brooklyn.