Sean “Diddy” Combs publicizes his alliance with Diageo, the world’s main spirits, wine and beer firm, at a press convention at Stone Rose on October 24, 2007 in New York City.
George Napolitano | Filmmagic | Getty Images
Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced on Friday to more than 4 years in prison over the hip-hop mogul’s July 2 conviction on prostitution-related prices.
The 50-month sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian at a listening to in Manhattan federal court docket. Combs, 55, had confronted up to 20 years behind bars.
He was convicted on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to journey throughout state strains to participate in drug-fueled sexual performances – generally often called “Freak Offs” – with Combs’ girlfriends whereas he recorded video and masturbated.
The jury acquitted him on the more critical prices of racketeering and intercourse trafficking, which might have earned him a life sentence.
Those prices hinged on prosecutors’ accusation that Combs used violence and threats to coerce two of his girlfriends – the rhythm and blues singer Casandra Ventura, and a girl identified in court docket by the pseudonym Jane – to participate in the encounters.
Combs pleaded not responsible and is anticipated to attraction his conviction. In an deal with to the court docket earlier than Subramanian imposed the sentence, Combs apologized to Ventura and Jane and stated he had discovered his lesson.
“I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again,” stated Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his September 2024 arrest.
Combs, the founding father of Bad Boy Records, is credited with elevating hip-hop’s stature in American tradition.
The New York-born entrepreneur is likely one of the most distinguished males in the leisure business to have confronted trial on intercourse crimes prices.
Prosecutors urged choose to contemplate abuse
Combs’ attorneys acknowledged he had bodily abused his girlfriends, however argued they willingly took half in the sexual performances.
Defense attorneys say the suitable sentence is 14 months, which might imply Combs could be launched by the tip of the 12 months after receiving credit score for time served.
Prosecutors are pushing for a sentence of at the least 11-1/4 years.
At the listening to, prosecutor Christy Slavik stated the protection was improperly looking for to painting Combs’ conduct as a “minor consequence of a sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle,” and argued the choose ought to contemplate his abuse of his girlfriends.
“To not account for it now would be to let the defendant get away with years of domestic violence and abuse,” Slavik stated.
Combs’ protection lawyer Brian Steel stated the conduct that led to the trial got here whereas his shopper was in “a ferocious drug addiction,” and famous that he had already spent 12 months and 17 days in jail.
“Sean has been punished severely already,” Steel stated.
Combs’ youngsters pleaded for leniency
Before Combs spoke, his youngsters urged leniency for his or her father, telling Subramanian that he has change into a greater man in the 12 months since his arrest.
“We aren’t here to excuse any of his mistakes,” Combs’ 18-year-old daughter Jessie Combs stated via tears. (*4*)
Combs put his head down as his youngsters spoke, and had tears in his eyes when their remarks concluded.
Combs’ attorneys additionally confirmed the court docket a video about Combs’ background and philanthropy. The video confirmed Combs enjoying together with his youngsters, talking to public faculty college students, and operating the New York Marathon to elevate cash for charity.