By Staff Reporter
A jury acquitted Sean “Diddy” Combs of the most serious charges against him in a federal sex-crimes trial that captivated fervent onlookers and casual watchers alike.
Though the 12-person jury on July 2 convicted the music mogul on the two more minor counts, jurors found Combs, 55, not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking in his sweeping, nearly two-month trial.
Jurors found Combs guilty of only two of the five total federal charges. The two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution – which pertain to former girlfriends Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine and the anonymous “Jane” – carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each count, but sentencing guidelines could ultimately dictate a 5¼-year maximum, prosecutors have said.
The judge, who denied bail for Combs and ordered for him to remain in jail, suggested a sentencing hearing in October but left the door open for an expedited court date.
Combs’ case was particularly challenging, wading into the murky gray areas of consent and coercion, celebrity, complex workplace dynamics and the myriad ways that people cope with trauma. The trial was among the most noteworthy of the #MeToo era, following explosive cases against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, R&B singer R. Kelly and A-list actors Kevin Spacey and Johnny Depp.
Prosecutors over the course of the two-month trial said the Bad Boy Records founder used his business empire to force romantic partners to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances sometimes known as “freak offs” with male sex workers while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. Jurors heard horrifying details from more than 30 witnesses, including Ventura Fine and Jane, who saw or experienced years of abuse at the hands of Combs.
His lawyers acknowledged that the man once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez was at times violent in his relationships. But they argued the sexual activity described by prosecutors − including an instance of an escort urinating in Ventura Fine’s mouth during a sexual encounter – was consensual, not coerced.
Combs, who has been jailed since his September arrest, has long maintained his innocence. He previously pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“I asked that for every time you see a civil lawsuit … you actually take a look and analyze these and see whether or not these are actually going to stand up in a court of law. Because today, they did not,” she said. “He has not sexually assaulted anybody, certainly has not sex trafficked anybody.”
However, Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents more than half of Combs’ accusers, shared a statement doubling down on pursuing the civil cases against the mogul.
“The thrust of the prosecution’s case was focused solely on two alleged victims, Cassie and Jane, with whom Sean Combs had long-term relationships,” Buzbee said, in part. “Our clients were not the focus of the prosecution’s case. And those issues are not present in our cases. Our cases instead focus on discrete wrongful conduct allegedly committed by Mr. Combs that would be considered state law crimes if proven.”
Diddy is ‘relieved’ and ‘had a lot of time to reflect’ in jail, famed attorney Mark Geragos says
Outside the courthouse, Mark Geragos – the father of Combs’ defense attorney Teny Geragos and a famed Hollywood lawyer who has described himself as a “friend” to Combs – shared insight into the music producer’s mindset following his verdict.
“He’s thankful. He’s relieved. And he thanks the jurors,” Geragos said. “The interesting thing about prison is it’s a time out. And he’s had a lot of time to reflect and he’s in a good place mentally.”
Geragos, who has represented prominent people ranging from Michael Jackson to the Menendez brothers, was never officially part of Combs’ legal team.
Judge says Diddy hasn’t proved he won’t be a danger to the community
As Judge Arun Subramanian explained his decision to deny Combs’ bail request, he said the mogul has not shown any “exceptional” circumstances that would necessitate his release. In fact, the judge called his reasoning purely personal.
The judge also said Combs’ team didn’t prove that he wouldn’t be a danger to others upon his release from jail. He cited Ventura Fine’s graphic testimony from May, as well as the defense’s own admission that Combs abused his former girlfriend.
“It happened,” Subramanian quoted from a court transcript. “We own the domestic violence. We own it.”
When will Diddy be sentenced? Diddy’s team wants sentencing date moved up
Subramanian proposed a sentencing date of Friday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m., but noted he was willing to expedite it if the defense wanted.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, took the judge up on his offer of an expedited sentencing. “That’s fine with me,” Subramanian replied.
Combs could have faced life in prison if he were convicted of sex trafficking or racketeering conspiracy. The acquittals on the sex trafficking counts mean he will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. His lawyers have said sentencing guidelines entail an approximately two-year sentence at most for the prostitution charges, while U.S. attorneys have said he faces a maximum of 63 months.
Judge denies Diddy’s request for bail
Subramanian denied Combs’ request to be released on $1 million bail until his sentencing. The judge said he must remain in federal lockup in Brooklyn for now, given the evidence presented at trial that Combs has a history of abuse.
Subramanian referenced Jane’s testimony that Combs choked and dragged her during an argument in 2024, as well as other violent incidents. “It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger,” Subramanian said.
After some back-and-forth about the technical next steps, Subramanian said he will ask both sides to confer and submit their recommendations for speeding up Combs’ sentencing by Tuesday, July 8, at noon. He also set a remote hearing for the afternoon on July 8.
Diddy declares: ‘I’m gonna be home soon’
As Subramanian revealed his decision, Combs stared straight ahead. One of his family members in the courtroom gallery hung their head.
“I’m gonna be home soon,” Combs said afterward, prompting applause and cheers from his family and supporters. “Thank you. I love you.”
Diddy’s lawyer claims 2024 domestic violence was ‘self-defense’
While discussing Combs’ bail application with Subramanian, Agnifilo said there’s an argument to be made that the violent incident between Combs and Jane in June 2024 was self-defense on Combs’ part. He said the rapper allegedly made efforts to enter a batterers program – and that the defense would likely bring someone from the program to Combs’ sentencing hearing.
Agnifilo went on to say that Combs has done remarkable things in his life while acknowledging “he has these flaws in his personality.” This is a man who’s working on himself and would not jeopardize his second chance, Agnifilo contended: “He’s been truly a remarkable prisoner. … He’s not going to flee. He’s been given his life back.”
Later, prosecutor Maurene Comey said that “the suggestion” that the June 2024 incident Jane described in graphic detail on the stand was “self-defense is insulting.” She added, “That was violence. That was brutality. It was brazen.”
Cassie asks judge to keep Diddy in jail, says her safety is at risk
Ventura Fine’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, asked Subramanian to deny Combs’ request for bail ahead of his sentencing.
In a letter filed to the court, Wigdor argued that Combs could be a threat to others, and his ongoing detention is required under a federal law, the Bail Reform Act. “Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community,” Wigdor added.
Combs’ defense team has submitted its own letter arguing he should be released ahead of his sentencing.
Prosecution says Diddy should remain in jail
Prosecutors also urged Subramanian to keep Combs behind bars ahead of his sentencing.
In an eight-page letter, U.S. attorneys said U.S. law treats Combs’ convictions as crimes of violence. That’s a category that requires courts to keep defendants in jail, unless their convictions are likely to be tossed out or the government isn’t seeking a prison sentence. They also noted that witnesses accused Combs of domestic violence over and over during the trial, and prosecutors called him a danger to others.
“The overwhelming evidence established at trial—which the defendant did not dispute—shows that the defendant has engaged in a yearslong pattern of abuse and violence, including as recently as in June 2024, approximately three months before his arrest in this case,” they said.
Prosecutors also said sentencing guidelines generally suggest a prison sentence of between 51 and 63 months for Combs, though that figure could rise.
Combs asks judge to free him ahead of sentencing
In a six-page letter submitted after his partial acquittal and partial conviction, Combs’ lawyers urged Subramanian to release him ahead of his sentencing.
“Continued detention of Mr. Combs is inappropriate,” they said.
The defense team filed the document ahead of a hearing Subramanian’s expected to hold later in the day. The lawyers noted Combs’ risk of receiving a lengthy prison sentence is “substantially lower” now that he was acquitted on the most serious charges he faced.
The defense team proposed that Combs post a $1 million bond co-signed by himself, his mother, his sister and the mother of his oldest daughter. They said the judge could restrict Combs’ travel to Florida, California, New York, and New Jersey – and that he require Combs to turn over his passport and undergo drug testing.
Is Diddy still in jail? Will he pay bail? Hearing looms
After Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, his lawyers immediately sought his release from jail. But Subramanian hasn’t ruled whether the rapper can leave the detention facility where he’s been held since he was arrested in September.
Subramanian is expected to make the ruling this evening at approximately 5 p.m.
Why was Diddy convicted of prostitution charges but not sex trafficking?
We don’t know what’s in jurors’ heads, but they likely acquitted Diddy of sex trafficking because they didn’t find proof beyond a reasonable doubt that he coerced his alleged victims into sex acts.
Their decision comes after Combs’ lawyers repeatedly showed messages and other evidence in which Ventura Fine and Jane were willing to engage in “freak offs.” (Though both said they were coerced to some degree.)
For Combs to be convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution, all that prosecutors needed was evidence that people were moved, like the male escorts who were flown by Combs from coast to coast, for the purpose of prostitution. Sex workers testified during the weekslong trial they they weren’t forced into sex acts, and they were often paid thousands of dollars per “freak off.”
Government’s ability to go after Combs’ empire severely limited by verdict, former DOJ official says
Combs is likely to serve prison time on his two prostitution convictions, former senior Department of Justice official James Trusty told USA TODAY. He explained that the verdict is still a kind of victory for the music mogul. That’s because the Justice Department’s ability to seize Combs’ mansions, jet and businesses is severely limited after he was acquitted on federal racketeering and sex-trafficking charges.
“I think that with the acquittal on the most serious counts, the universe of potential harm to his empire is greatly diminished,” said Trusty, a longtime chief of the DOJ’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
It’s still possible for the U.S. government to seek forfeiture of some of Combs’ assets. But prosecutors would have to prove they were used as part of the rapper’s prostitution charges, Trusty said.
What charges was Diddy found guilty of? The jury’s verdict, possible prison time explained
Cassie’s lawyer reacts to Diddy verdict
Wigdor, Ventura Fine’s lawyer, issued a statement praising her courage for taking the stand during Combs’ trial. The singer’s harrowing testimony centered around allegations he physically, sexually and emotionally abused her throughout their decade-long relationship.
“This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution,” Wigdor said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY July 2.
“She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors,” he added.
Ventura Fine and Combs dated on-and-off from 2007 to 2018.
‘He’s finally been held responsible’: Cassie’s lawyer ‘pleased’ with Diddy trial verdict
Tony Buzbee, lawyer for majority of lawsuits against Diddy, speaks out
Hours after the verdict was delivered, lawyer Buzbee shared a statement with USA TODAY that indicated the ongoing civil cases against the mogul will go on as planned.
“Diddy dodged a big bullet today. But that doesn’t end the saga,” he said. “The thrust of the prosecution’s case was focused solely on two alleged victims, Cassie and Jane, with whom Sean Combs had long-term relationships. The jury found that he violated federal law with regard to the transportation to engage in prostitution but cleared him on the most three most serious charges.
“Perhaps because of the nature of his relationship with those women and the length of those two relationships, I think the jury struggled with the difficult issue of consent and more broadly whether Mr. Combs’ conduct appropriately fit within the RICO statute.”He continued, “Our clients were not the focus of the prosecution’s case. And those issues are not present in our cases. Our cases instead focus on discrete wrongful conduct allegedly committed by Mr. Combs that would be considered state law crimes if proven. Now that this spectacle is over, we look forward to aggressively pursuing these civil cases to obtain justice for these alleged victims.”
What is the Mann Act? Sean Combs convicted of transporting two former girlfriends for prostitution
Combs wasn’t entirely exonerated in court on Wednesday: He was convicted on two lesser charges he faced of transportation for prostitution.
Those charges centered around violations of the Mann Act in transporting Ventura Fine and Jane.
Both women told the court Combs physically abused and controlled them and had them participate in marathon drug-fueled sexual encounters with male escorts. Those sessions, dubbed “freak offs,” often involved travel across state and even international boundaries.
The Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, is a federal law that prohibits the interstate or foreign transportation of individuals for the purpose of prostitution or other immoral activities.
Count 3 against Combs was transportation to engage in prostitution involving Ventura Fine. Count 5 was transportation to engage in prostitution involving Jane.
Diddy silently thanks jury, drops to the ground after verdict read
Combs’ lawyers Agnifilo and Geragos hugged when the verdict came in from jurors.
Still seated, Combs made praying hand motions toward the jury in thanks. At one point, he dropped to the floor, turned to face the back of his chair and put his head in his seat as if he was praying for 10 or more seconds.
The rapper stood up, clapping and blowing kisses toward his children, who were seated in the courtroom. His children also applauded, and Combs embraced his lawyers before being escorted out of a side door by security officials.
Jurors return with a verdict; Diddy enters courtroom
The jurors in the Combs trial returned with a verdict just after 10 a.m. on July 2. Combs is seated in the courtroom alongside his lawyers as the court brings out the jury to read their verdict in his sex-crimes case.
What is racketeering?
Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity.
Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in “freak offs.”
Source: Contributing: USA TODAY staff, Reuters
