Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and his family erupted into applause after he was found guilty of two prostitution charges, but was acquitted of more serious sex-trafficking and racketeering charges.
A jury in New York federal court deliberated for just over two days before reaching a verdict on all charges on Wednesday, July 2, of transporting sex workers across state lines to participate in his infamous “freak-offs” across the country.
Diddy’s family elated by the verdicts
Cheers and screams filled the federal courtroom in Manhattan after the verdicts were read. Diddy turned to the gallery behind him and started clapping because he escaped a longer prison term. Family members were seen smiling and waving to the media as they walked out of the courthouse, according to CNN’s live telecast.
Diddy and the family feel they emerged victorious from the trial because Diddy will most likely be given a light prison sentence in comparison to the possibility that he could have spent the rest of his life behind bars.
How does this impact Diddy’s civil lawsuits?
The Bad Boy boss’ image and legacy, however, are in tatters after he settled a $20 million Cassie in late 2023, which kicked off the Department of Justice’s comprehensive investigation.
This verdict also calls into question the hundreds of civil lawsuits that were filed against Diddy, particularly the class-action lawsuit by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee.
Diddy has been housed in the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal jail, in Brooklyn, New York, since September 2024 when he was indicted on three major charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. It remains to be seen how long Diddy will remain in jail before he is transported to a federal prison to serve out his sentence on the prostitution conviction.
Diddy will return to court later for sentencing
Sentencing for Diddy will be determined at a later date. He will undoubtedly be emboldened to appeal the one conviction on prostitution.
Prosecutors accused the rap impresario and his associates of committing crimes like kidnapping, bribery, drug-dealing and arson for allegedly blowing up rapper Kid Cudi’s car. Combs also allegedly used violent force and coercive threats to make former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and “Jane Doe” participate in freak-offs, which the Department of Justice claimed was sex trafficking.
The defense successfully poked holes in the prosecution’s case, that while Diddy admitted to domestic violence — which was obvious after he was seen on the hotel surveillance cameras beating Cassie — it didn’t amount to sex trafficking or prostitution because everyone consented to participate in the freak-offs.
Obviously, the jury believed the defense on most of the charges.
