Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs verdict explained: What are the charges, why was he acquitted, and what next

By Willy Sanjuan

APFILE – Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the LA Premiere of “The Four: Battle For Stardom” at the CBS Radford Studio Center, May 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

Sean “Diddy” Combs will stay behind bars after a federal jury found him guilty on two counts of transporting women for prostitution. He escaped convictions for sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy — the charges that could have brought a life sentence.The verdict came late Wednesday in a Manhattan courtroom after seven weeks of trial and about thirteen hours of jury debate. The mixed outcome has stunned the music industry and left Combs’s legacy in deep trouble.What prosecutors allegedProsecutors painted Combs as more than just a music mogul. They claimed he ran Bad Boy Records and other businesses like a crime ring — using fame and cash to cover up a dark side that included sex trafficking, bribery and intimidation.Under the federal RICO Act, they argued Combs operated a “criminal enterprise” for years. But the jury did not see enough proof of an organised pattern of crimes.The women’s storiesAt the heart of the trial were disturbing claims from two women — singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman known only as “Jane”.Live EventsVentura told the jury she suffered repeated abuse. She described being raped by Combs in 2018, beaten in hotel corridors — CCTV from 2016 showed him dragging her down a hallway — and forced into drug-fuelled “freak-offs” with paid male escorts while Combs watched and filmed.Ventura’s mother paid Combs $20,000 to stop complaints about her daughter seeing rapper Kid Cudi, who himself testified. Scott Mescudi, known to fans as Kid Cudi, said Combs once broke into his home and later his car was torched with a molotov cocktail.“Jane” told the court she too was forced into humiliating sex acts while Combs threatened to leak videos or pull financial support. A former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard said she saw Combs hit Ventura. Another ex-employee claimed Combs forced her to go to Kid Cudi’s house with him, threatening to kill the rapper.Why the Jury split the verdictDespite the graphic details, jurors cleared Combs of sex trafficking. US law demands proof that the women were forced, tricked or threatened into commercial sex acts — the bar for that is high.Instead, they found him guilty on charges that he transported both women across state lines for prostitution. These counts did not need proof of coercion — only that he arranged the travel for paid sex.Judge refuses bailAfter the jury spoke, Combs’s lawyers tried to get him out on bail. They argued it was his first conviction and not as severe as the charges he beat. Judge Arun Subramanian refused.“It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger,” Judge Subramanian said in court.Prosecutor Maurene Comey argued: “He’s an extremely violent man with an extraordinarily dangerous temper who has shown no remorse.” Jane had told the court Combs attacked her again in June 2024 — even while under investigation.After the judge dismissed the jury, Combs knelt down in the courtroom. Then he stood, turned to family and friends and said: “I’m gonna be home soon. I love you. Thank you. I love you.” The words drew cheers from his supporters.Outside court, his lawyer Marc Agnifilo told reporters: “It’s a great victory for Sean Combs, it’s a great victory for the jury system.” But this victory is only partial. Each count of transporting for prostitution carries up to ten years. The defence wants a lighter sentence — just two years — but prosecutors plan to push for the maximum.Sentencing and what’s nextJudge Subramanian has set 3 October as the sentencing date but might bring it forward. Combs’s legal team will fight for bail again before then.His troubles do not end here. He still faces civil suits, including one from Ventura that settled last year for $20 million. Douglas Wigdor, Ventura’s lawyer, said she “paved the way” for the conviction.Once, Sean Combs was the face of hip-hop’s rise. Bad Boy Records signed huge names like Notorious BIG. His parties were legendary — some all-white galas, others, prosecutors said, turned into “freak-offs” where paid sex workers were forced to perform.Today, that empire has cracked. His music royalties, liquor brands and clothing line may not survive public backlash and cancelled deals.He is no longer the aspirational symbol he once was — but a man waiting in a cell for a judge’s final word.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Read More News onSean Diddy Combstransporting women for prostitutionfederal jury verdictBad Boy RecordsCassie Venturasex trafficking chargesManhattan courtroommusic industry scandalRICO Act

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless

(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onSean Diddy Combstransporting women for prostitutionfederal jury verdictBad Boy RecordsCassie Venturasex trafficking chargesManhattan courtroommusic industry scandalRICO Act(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless

Read More…