A federal jury in Manhattan has delivered a significant verdict in the case against Sean Combs, the renowned hip-hop mogul widely known as Diddy or Puff Daddy. The jury found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, while acquitting him of one count of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. This split decision came after 13 hours of deliberation following a trial that commenced on May 5.
Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York struggled to convince the jury of the credibility of their two primary witnesses. These witnesses included Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra Cassie Ventura and another former girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym Jane. The prosecution aimed to assert that these women had not participated consensually in the alleged sex and drug marathons, which Combs referred to variably as freak offs, hotel nights, or wild king nights.
Combs did not testify in his defense, and his legal team opted not to present any witnesses. Instead, they focused on hundreds of text messages and social media posts where Ventura and Jane expressed enthusiasm for the sessions, despite their later claims in court that they felt pressured and manipulated into participating. The defense argued that while these relationships might have been toxic or potentially abusive, they did not meet the standards of federal criminality as defined by the prosecution.
The prosecution faced significant hurdles in proving that Combs operated a criminal conspiracy or an organized crime syndicate, as alleged in the racketeering charge. They accused him of multiple offenses under this charge, including forced labor, bribery, and obstruction of justice. However, the jury was not convinced by the evidence presented, leading to the acquittal on the racketeering charge.
If convicted of racketeering, Combs could have faced the most severe penalties, including a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. Convictions for the sex trafficking counts, which involved allegations of force, fraud, or coercion against Ventura and Jane, could have resulted in a statutory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. The two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Beyond the criminal trial, Combs is currently dealing with a multitude of civil lawsuits filed by former employees and associates. Notably, Ventura initiated a civil suit against Combs in November 2023, which was settled within just one day for $20 million. As part of this settlement, Combs did not admit to any wrongdoing, highlighting the ongoing legal complexities surrounding his personal and professional life.
