By Bhawna Arya
Legal trouble seems to loom huge for disgraced rapper Sean 鈥淒iddy鈥 Combs as after an intense eight-week federal trial, as he has been found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. However, the music producer has dodged three most severe charges: two counts of sex trafficking and one count of racketeering, a recent report suggests. Each of the convictions carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, marking a significant legal blow, though not the full extent of what prosecutors had sought. Sean Diddy Combs found guilty in prostitution case According to a report in Variety, the trial, which drew national attention, featured 34 witnesses who testified about Combs’ alleged involvement in a pattern of abuse, coercion, and criminal activity that spanned over two decades. Prosecutors accused the Bad Boy Records founder of leading a criminal enterprise that facilitated sex trafficking, drug distribution, and even arson 鈥 all shielded by an 鈥渋nner circle鈥 of staff who allegedly helped him commit and cover up crimes. Jury convicts Sean Diddy Combs on 2 prostitution related charges The jury found enough evidence to convict Combs on the two prostitution-related charges. His family, including his mother Janice and sons Christian and Justin, were present throughout the trial, showing support in the courtroom as the verdict was read. While Combs has avoided the harshest penalties, the guilty verdicts and the trial鈥檚 revelations mark a major fall from grace for a figure once seen as a giant in both the music and fashion industries. Sentencing is expected in the coming months. The defense argued that Combs鈥 conduct, while troubling at times, was not evidence of a criminal conspiracy. They dismissed the racketeering charge by claiming there was no organised enterprise, just staff members unaware of any illegal activity when performing tasks like picking up drugs. Diddy’s ex-girlfriend testified against rapperCentral to the case were disturbing testimonies from several women. Casandra 鈥淐assie鈥 Ventura, Combs鈥 ex-girlfriend of 11 years, gave a harrowing four-day account, alleging repeated physical and emotional abuse. The jury viewed photos of her injuries and footage from what were described as 鈥渇reak-offs鈥, days-long, drug-fueled sex marathons, sometimes involving escorts. Another witness, 鈥淛ane,鈥 testified that Combs forced her into sex acts in exchange for paying her rent, even mocking her by asking, 鈥淚s this coercion?鈥 during an alleged assault. Diddy’s former assistant accused him of rape, physical abuse 鈥淢ia,鈥 a former assistant and executive, accused Combs of rape and physical abuse during her time working for him. Other witnesses included a fashion designer who said Combs once dangled her over a 17th-story balcony, and a hotel guard who claimed he was bribed with $100,000 to erase surveillance footage of a 2016 incident in which Combs assaulted Ventura. Video of Diddy beating Ventura went viral Perhaps the most shocking piece of evidence was the 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs violently beating Ventura – footage that prosecutors played multiple times in court. Though the defense acknowledged Combs鈥 violent behavior in the video, they maintained it was unrelated to the alleged sex trafficking scheme. 鈥淲e own the domestic violence,鈥 said Combs’ lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, during his closing argument. However, he insisted that the 鈥渇reak-offs鈥 were part of a consensual lifestyle and not criminal in nature.