In a verdict that sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, a federal jury in New York has found music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of the more severe charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The split verdict came after six weeks of testimony and 12 hours of jury deliberation. While prosecutors spent much of the trial trying to portray Combs’ empire, Combs Global (now renamed Combs Enterprises), as a criminal front, jurors did not find enough evidence to support the racketeering claims.
Combs was visibly emotional after the decision, bowing his head in prayer before clapping toward the gallery as U.S. Marshals led him out. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told reporters, “Mr. Combs has been given his life by this jury. He treasures the opportunity and will respect whatever this court imposes.”
Federal prosecutors, however, aren’t done. Though the most serious charges didn’t stick, they argued Combs still poses a risk and plan to seek a sentence that could extend up to 20 years based on the two guilty verdicts. A sentencing date has yet to be announced.
The trial painted two starkly different portraits of Combs—one of a groundbreaking Black entrepreneur and industry pioneer, and the other of a man who used his wealth and influence to control and exploit women behind closed doors. The prosecution brought forward two of Combs’ former romantic partners, including R&B singer Cassie (Casandra Ventura), who testified in harrowing detail about their time with him.
While acquitted on the charges related to sex trafficking, kidnapping, and racketeering, Combs’ name and brand face a reputational reckoning. From early accusations to federal raids and now this verdict, the onetime Ciroc king and Bad Boy architect may find his once-bulletproof empire changed forever.
For Hollywood and the wider entertainment industry, the verdict is another stark reminder that the era of unchecked celebrity power is waning. It also comes during a broader cultural shift where accountability—especially regarding abuse and exploitation—is now expected, not exceptional.
As Combs awaits sentencing, and with additional civil suits still looming, one thing is certain: the hip-hop impresario who helped shape the sound of the late ‘90s and early 2000s is no longer untouchable.
Lexi Carson covers the buzziest campaigns, brand beefs, and streaming shake-ups. She’s known for her razor-sharp takes, obsession with 90s ad jingles, and a red bob that’s never once missed a deadline.
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