Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges on Wednesday but was found guilty of a lesser offense—transporting individuals for prostitution—following a closely watched seven-week trial in New York.
After three days and 13 hours of deliberation, the jury convicted the 55-year-old on two counts of transportation for the purpose of prostitution. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Combs appeared visibly relieved as the verdict was read, smiling, shaking hands with one of his attorneys, and thanking the eight-man, four-woman jury as they exited the courtroom.
Judge Arun Subramanian also addressed the jury, expressing his gratitude for their dedication.
“You listened, you worked together, you were here every day, rain or shine,” he said. “You did so with no reward other than the reward that comes from answering the call of public service.”
The verdict followed a case in which federal prosecutors accused Combs of heading a criminal organization for decades—allegedly using bodyguards and employees to commit various serious crimes at his direction, including drug trafficking, forced labor, witness tampering, bribery, kidnapping, and arson.
For a racketeering conviction, jurors would have needed to agree that a criminal enterprise existed and that at least two of the alleged offenses were committed under its umbrella. On Tuesday, the jury reported being deadlocked on the racketeering count. Judge Subramanian instructed them to continue deliberating, but they ultimately failed to reach a unanimous decision on that charge.
Throughout the trial, Combs strongly denied all allegations.
Disturbing Testimonies and Allegations
The prosecution’s case featured graphic testimony and extensive evidence, including thousands of pages of phone records, financial documents, and video footage.
Combs faced sex trafficking allegations from two women: singer Casandra Ventura and another woman referred to in court under the pseudonym “Jane.” Both women, who were in long-term relationships with Combs, testified that they endured abuse and coercion and were pressured into taking part in “sexual marathons” with other men arranged by Combs.
Defense attorneys argued the encounters were consensual and acknowledged that domestic violence had occurred in his relationships. One widely circulated video showed Combs physically assaulting Ventura. However, the defense contended that these incidents, while disturbing, did not amount to sex trafficking under the law.
In closing arguments, prosecutors pushed back forcefully, accusing Combs and his legal team of twisting the facts.
“In his mind, he was untouchable,” said lead prosecutor Maurene Comey. “The defendant never thought that the women he abused would have the courage to speak out loud about what he did to them.”
—AFP
