Federal Prosecutors Urge Judges to Deny Diddy’s Appeal

NEW YORK – Federal prosecutors are asking judges to swiftly reject Shawn “Diddy” Combs’ request to overturn his recent convictions related to prostitution or to order a new trial. This comes after a jury found him guilty on two counts associated with sex trafficking.

In a document filed late Wednesday, the prosecutors detailed Combs’ orchestrated sexual activities involving two former girlfriends from 2008 to last year.

In July, judges had cleared Combs of charges that included conspiracy and assault related to sex trafficking, which could have led to a 15-year prison sentence. However, he was convicted on two counts of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits interstate commerce for prostitution-related activities.

Each Mann Act charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Despite arguments from his attorneys for minimal or no additional prison time, Combs has been denied bail and prosecutors argue he deserves significant incarceration.

He has been in federal custody in Brooklyn since his arrest in September at a hotel in Manhattan. Sentencing is set for October 3.

Prosecutors noted that Combs’ lawyers previously argued that the Mann Act was not properly applied in this case and infringed upon his rights. Nevertheless, they emphasized that the evidence against him was compelling.

They described a drug-fueled series of sexual encounters over several days, during which his girlfriend was instructed to hire male sex workers and travel across various states for what they termed “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”

Prosecutors mentioned that Combs allegedly used recordings of these events as a means of intimidation, compelling his girlfriend to continue attending regular sexual meetings.

“The evidence clearly supported the jury’s conviction,” the prosecutors stated, asserting Combs acted as a mastermind in organizing these encounters. He reportedly traveled to meet escorts, controlling interactions for his own pleasure and sometimes participating himself.

Cassie Ventura, an R&B performer who was in a relationship with Combs from 2008 to 2018, testified that he frequently demanded sexual involvement with male escorts, often disrupting her music career. She recalled attending numerous “freak-offs.”

Another witness, referred to as “Jane,” shared her experience during her relationship with Combs from 2021 to September of last year, describing a multi-day “hotel night” that required her to engage with a male sex worker despite feeling unwell.

Both women indicated that Combs threatened to release videos from these encounters, manipulating their behaviors. Prosecutors argued he exercised substantial control over their lives, including Ventura’s career and finances.

He reportedly paid Jane’s rent and warned her that he would stop if she didn’t comply with his requests.

Combs’ attorneys countered that elements typically needed for a Mann Act conviction were absent, such as financial benefits from sex work. They argued there was no commercial motivation behind the actions, and the participants were adults who engaged voluntarily.

His lawyer claimed the activities at best represented an involvement in voyeurism linked to a “swinger” lifestyle, asserting this does not meet the legal definition of prostitution.