Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison following his July conviction on prostitution-related charges.
The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul was found guilty of arranging paid escorts to travel across state lines for drug-fuelled sexual performances involving Combs’ girlfriends.
Combs, who founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with elevating hip-hop in American culture, was acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges, which could have carried a life sentence. He pleaded not guilty and plans to appeal the conviction. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court.
During the two-month trial, prosecutors argued Combs coerced two former girlfriends – singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known as Jane – into participating in performances through threats and physical abuse. Surveillance footage showed Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in 2016 after a performance. Jane testified that Combs attacked her last year and pressured her into sexual acts with a male escort.
Combs’ lawyers acknowledged past physical abuse but maintained the women consented to some of the sexual performances. Both women testified that they sometimes participated out of love and a desire to please him.
Combs’ defence argued for a 14-month sentence, noting he taught a six-week business and personal development course for fellow inmates at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, called “Free Game with Diddy.” Inmates wrote essays on lessons learned from Combs’ life. Lawyers also stressed his acquittal on sex trafficking and racketeering should limit how his abuse played into sentencing.
Prosecutors pushed for a longer term, citing federal guidelines that call for stricter penalties when offences involve threats or bodily harm. They pointed out that others convicted of violent, prostitution-related crimes regularly receive significant prison terms.
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