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Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Day 1 of 2023 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center on Aug. 26, 2023 in Atlanta.
Music News
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Acquitted of Sex Trafficking and Racketeering, Found Guilty on Two Federal Charges
The ruling marks a turning point in a case that began with Cassie Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit and ignited a broader federal investigation.
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Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two counts of transporting women for prostitution, following a landmark federal trial that exposed graphic allegations of abuse, coercion and cover-ups in the music industry.
A Manhattan jury delivered a partial verdict on Tuesday (July 2), convicting the hip-hop mogul under the Mann Act while acquitting him of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.
The guilty verdicts stem from testimony by two women: Diddy’s former partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another woman referred to as “Jane.”
Both testified that Combs coerced them into cross-state travel to perform in what prosecutors described as “freak-off” parties that included sex acts with male escorts, often under the influence of drugs.
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Prosecutors said Combs used his wealth and influence to control, isolate and exploit the women over several years.
According to multiple reports, each conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, putting Combs at risk of up to 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian will announce sentencing at a later date.
Combs has been held without bail since his arrest in September 2024. His attorneys have requested he be released pending sentencing, but prosecutors have opposed the motion.
The trial featured explosive evidence, including hotel surveillance footage showing Combs kicking and dragging Ventura, and testimony alleging he paid $100,000 to suppress the tape.
Witnesses also claimed Combs orchestrated the arson of rapper Kid Cudi’s car and used intimidation tactics to silence accusers. While those specific allegations were dropped before closing arguments, they painted a broader picture of what prosecutors called a “decades-long pattern of manipulation.”
Ventura’s 2023 civil lawsuit, which was settled out of court, is believed to have triggered the federal investigation that led to the criminal trial. Her legal team, Wigdor LLP, issued a statement following the verdict, emphasizing that Ventura’s decision to come forward “paved the way” for the jury’s conviction on the two federal counts.
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“This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,” said Douglas Wigdor, Ventura’s attorney. “Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she left an indelible mark on the fight for justice.”
Combs’ defense team called no witnesses during the trial and argued that all sexual encounters were consensual. They described the prosecution as a character assassination built on false narratives and financial motives.
A representative for Combs has not yet issued a statement. This story is developing. Stay tuned to Billboard Canada for more updates.
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