The choose overseeing the prison case towards Sean “Diddy” Combs didn’t instantly rule on his request to vacate his conviction on prostitution-related fees or his bid for a new trial.
Judge Arun Subramanian instructed the courtroom he would problem a choice “very shortly and otherwise will see everyone back here next Friday.”
On Tuesday, the choose overseeing denied Combs’ request to toss his conviction on prostitution-related fees or permit for a new trial.
Combs has been jailed since his arrest final September. He faces up to 10 years in jail for every depend and is ready to be sentenced on October 3.
Combs’ authorized group argued that the definition of prostitution needs to be interpreted narrowly in relation to the Mann Act fees, making use of solely to those that engaged within the sexual acts or benefited financially from them.
The Mann Act makes it a crime to transport a particular person throughout state strains for the aim of prostitution. Combs’ attorneys argued that it doesn’t apply to voyeuristic conduct like his, which was at problem on this trial.
Prosecutor Meredith Foster stated the federal government disagrees with that definition however argued Thursday that even beneath that slender interpretation, Combs continues to be answerable for the Mann Act convictions as a result of he facilitated the transportation of his two girlfriends and the escorts for the aim of intercourse for cash. The trial proof confirmed the ladies typically paid the escorts with Combs’ funds, Foster added.
The protection additionally argued that Combs, 55, was a producer and client of novice pornography and that the “expressive conduct” is protected by the First Amendment.
Defense legal professional Alexandra Shapiro reiterated Thursday that the Mann Act can’t be enforced in these circumstances with out violating Combs’s First Amendment rights, echoing arguments made in earlier protection filings.
Shapiro stated trial proof confirmed that Combs produced “highly choreographed” sexual encounters between his girlfriends and paid escorts, arranging temper lighting, music, and costumes so he may watch the recordings later.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik stated the First Amendment argument is irrelevant to Combs’ conviction. “The Mann Act criminalizes transportation of individuals for the purpose of prostitution. It does not criminalize filming sex acts of any kind,” Slavik stated.
His legal professionals have stated if the choose proceeds to sentencing, Combs needs to be sentenced to not more than 14 months in jail. With credit score for good conduct, he’d be launched nearly instantly.
Prosecutors have instructed they consider he ought to spend not less than a number of extra years behind bars, though they haven’t submitted their sentencing suggestions to the choose but.
The choose has refused to grant bail twice because the jury returned its verdict, citing Combs’ historical past of violence.
Combs was discovered responsible of two counts of transporting people for prostitution however was acquitted of extra severe intercourse trafficking and racketeering fees in July 2025 that would have led to a life sentence.