Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty this morning of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution — the counts that carry the least severe penalty.
After being found guilty of prostitution-related offenses, Sean “Diddy” Combs was cleared on Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering counts that would have permanently imprisoned the Hip-Hop rapper, record producer, and executive.
Sean Combs to remain in custody as he awaits sentencing
The defense requested that Combs be released today on a $1 million secured bond while he awaits sentencing, subject to the conditions that he surrender his passport and limit his travel to specific jurisdictions in California, Florida, New York, and New Jersey. But the federal judge denied Diddy’s request to be released on bond, and he will remain at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until his sentencing.
On the third day of the deliberations, the outcome was mixed. Combs is facing up to 20 years in prison, since the maximum sentence for each of the transportation counts is 10 years. Moments after the verdict was read, Combs fell to his knees and prayed in court, leaning on his chair.
When they declared that first not guilty, Diddy pumped his fist. He pounded his fist when the jury foreperson, or juror number five, read the verdict instead. His family erupted in raucous celebration when the verdict was pronounced and the judge and jury had all left the courtroom.
In the courtroom on Wednesday were Combs’ mother, his three children, his sons, as well as other family members, friends, and supporters. All they were doing was applauding. He was giving a clap. Additionally, the fact that he is once more by the defense table makes for an intriguing image. He can’t just go up and hug them. He does not have freedom. Two of the five counts resulted in his conviction. Outside the court, Combs’ mother expressed her approval.
Diddy’s family reacts outside the courthouse following the verdict
The jury’s acquittal of Combs on the more serious charges, according to former Assistant District Attorney Julie Grant, may have been since the jury did not find sufficient evidence to convict Combs of those crimes.
“For whatever reasons, the men and women on the jury did not find there was enough evidence to prove these crimes in that federal court of law,” Grant told CNN.
That being said, Grant added, “It doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”
Some are speculating that his career as a successful music executive, fashion designer, brand ambassador, and reality TV personality is probably coming to an end.
Before Combs was arrested and charged, his major business ventures had collapsed: He stepped down and later fully divested from Revolt TV, which was founded in 2013. The network offered a mix of programming focused on hip-hop culture, R&B music, social justice, and documentaries.
He also reportedly lost a Hulu reality series deal and saw his once-iconic fashion brand Sean John vanish from Macy’s shelves.
After surveillance footage surfaced last year showing Combs physically assaulting singer Cassie, his then-girlfriend, in 2016, consequences mounted: Peloton pulled his music, Howard University rescinded his honorary degree, and his charter school in Harlem cut ties.
Last year, Combs settled a legal dispute with Diageo, relinquishing control of his lucrative spirits brands, Ciroc and DeLeón. While many of his ventures have unraveled, his music catalog — for now — remains intact.
Mayor Eric Adams even asked Diddy to return the Key to the City of New York last summer, and Combs did. This move comes after a video of Combs abusing his ex-girlfriend Cassie went viral. At the mayor’s request, the key was returned in a matter of days.
Numerous individuals who allege to have experienced physical or sexual abuse have filed lawsuits against Combs. He has previously settled with one complainant, Cassie, his ex-girlfriend, for $20 million. However, the majority of those cases remain unresolved. The number of winning cases, if any, and the expense of Combs’ legal defense are unknown. Combs and his attorneys have refuted all of the accusations of misbehavior and written off his accusers as greedy.
Federal prosecutors had informed the court that if Combs is convicted, they would seek to have him forfeit any assets, including property, “used to commit or facilitate” his crimes. It was not immediately clear following the verdict how prosecutors would proceed or whether asset forfeiture would be part of a sentence imposed by the judge.
Combs is facing numerous lawsuits, including allegations of sexual assault and rape, regardless of the criminal case’s verdict. Combs has accused several plaintiffs of seeking short-term “paydays,” but he has refuted these claims.
Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story.
