A New York City jury on Wednesday found music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The jurors acquitted him of the three more serious counts against him: one count of racketeering and two counts of sex trafficking.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who presided over the trial, denied Combs’ request for release on bond while he awaits sentencing, telling the court Wednesday evening that it’s “impossible” to show Combs poses no danger to the community.
Combs' partial acquittal allows him to avoid a potential sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors initially said Wednesday that they would seek a maximum of 20 years in prison combined on the two prostitution-related counts. But they said in a letter later that day opposing Combs' release on bond that the sentencing guidelines range from at least 51 to 63 months.
The verdict concluded a weekslong trial of Combs that alleged he engaged in abusive tendencies toward employees and romantic partners. Jurors deliberated for roughly 13 hours across three days, beginning on Monday.
The trial shined light on Combs’ toxic personal relationships, in which he wielded his power and prowess as a maniacal businessman, hip-hop pioneer and self-described “Bad Boy” over employees and sexual partners — at times, witnesses said, engaging in sexual abuse.
From the start of the trial, Combs’ lawyers admitted their client had engaged in domestic violence — some of which was captured on surveillance video — yet argued that he’d never committed sexual abuse of any kind and framed all of his relationships as consensual. But various accusers, including Combs’ former girlfriend and musician Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, disputed that framing in testimony portraying Combs as an abusive employer and romantic partner.
The verdict brings a new level of accountability to Combs, for whom pushback to his alleged mistreatment of employees had been mostly confined to internet-borne allegations and speculation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.