Diddy seeks release on $US50m bond ahead of sentencing
In a court filing regarding the $US50 million ($A77 million) bond, Combs' defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo said conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn were dangerous and said defendants convicted in the past of prostitution-related charges that were similar to Combs' were usually released before their sentencing.
"Sean Combs should not be in jail for this conduct," Agnifilo wrote.
"In fact, he may be the only person currently in a United States jail for being any sort of john."
A spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan, which brought the charges, declined to comment.
After a six-week trial, Combs, 55, was found not guilty on July 2 of three counts of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, which carried potential life sentences.
He was convicted on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Each of those counts carries a maximum 10-year sentence but prosecutors have acknowledged that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a sentence well below the statutory maximum.
Prosecutors alleged the Bad Boy Records founder used physical violence, threats and the resources of his business empire to coerce two former girlfriends to participate in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances with male sex workers sometimes called "freak-offs".
Combs pleaded not guilty and his lawyers argued his two girlfriends took part willingly in the encounters.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' initial request for release immediately after the verdict, citing the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts he committed.
In their filing on Tuesday, Combs' lawyers said it was unusual for him to be prosecuted on the prostitution-related offences at all because he was not profiting financially from the acts of prostitution.
They also said Combs' detention since September 2024 at the MDC should qualify as an "exceptional circumstance" warranting Combs' release despite the evidence he had been violent.
Combs' lawyers have said there have been fights in his unit, and wrote on Tuesday that his safety is at risk.
A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which operates MDC, said in a statement, "The BOP continually works to improve conditions at all of our institutions, to include MDC Brooklyn".
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The Advertiser
2 days ago
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Throw out verdicts or grant me new trial: 'Diddy' Combs
Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions. Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions. Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions. Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions.
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Throw out verdicts or grant me new trial: 'Diddy' Combs
Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a judge to throw out his guilty verdicts on prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, saying such convictions are without precedent. "This conviction stands alone, but it shouldn't stand at all," the Wednesday filing said. Combs' lawyers argue that his two felony convictions were a unique misapplication of the federal Mann Act, which bars interstate commerce related to prostitution, "To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct anything like this," a Wednesday filing from Combs legal team said. Combs, 55, was convicted in a New York federal court of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, for sexual encounters, while he was acquitted of more serious charges. He could get up to a decade in prison at his sentencing set for October 3. His lawyers argued that none of the elements normally used for Mann Act convictions, including profiting from sex work or coercion, were present here. "It is undisputed that he had no commercial motive and that all involved were adults," the filing said. "The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily. The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted." The lawyers said Combs, "at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a 'swingers' lifestyle" and argued that "does not constitute 'prostitution' under a properly limited definition of the statutory term". Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, charges could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures in prison for life. The new motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate the jury's verdict, or to order a new trial whose evidence is limited to matters related to the Mann Act counts, because of "severe spillover prejudice from reams of inflammatory evidence" related to the more serious counts. Prosecutors insisted during the eight-week trial that Combs had coerced, threatened and sometimes viciously forced two ex-girlfriends to have sex with male sex workers to satisfy his sexual urges. They cited multiple acts of violence he carried out against them as proof that they had no say. A day earlier, Combs' team asked the judge to free him on a $US50 million ($A78 million) bond while he awaits sentencing in October after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious federal charges he faced earlier in July. His lawyer argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are dangerous, noting that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offences were typically released before sentencing. Subramanian previously denied a request that Combs be released on bail while he awaits sentencing, citing a now-infamous video of Combs beating a former girlfriend and photographs showing injuries to another ex-girlfriend. The judge has not yet ruled on either of this week's motions.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
‘Seriously': Donald Trump considering Sean ‘Diddy' Combs pardon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. President Trump may be giving Sean 'Diddy' Combs a 'Get out of jail free' card. An administration source told Deadline that a pardon for the 'Act Bad' rapper is being 'seriously considered' after Combs was found guilty of two counts of prostitution. 'The White House will not confirm or deny pardons that may or may not happen,' Page Six reports, citing a source. Diddy has been found guilty of two counts of prostitution. Picture: AFP In May, Trump, 79, first shared that he was potentially willing to pardon Combs amid the rapper's sex-trafficking trial. 'I would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me,' the politician said in the Oval Office at the time. In May, Trump first shared that he was potentially willing to pardon Combs. Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein 'It wouldn't have any impact on me,' he added. Trump then shared details about his personal relationship with the disgraced MC. 'He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics … that relationship busted up, from what I read,' he said. 'I don't know — he didn't tell me that, but I'd read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden,' the president added. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY On July 2, Combs, 55, was acquitted of the more serious charges in his sex-trafficking trial. However, the Revolt co-founder was found guilty of two counts of prostitution — each carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison. During the trial, jurors heard from a range of people, including Combs' ex Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, who claimed she was raped and abused by the hip-hop mogul. In one part of her gruelling testimony, the singer, 38, claimed Combs forced a male escort to urinate in her mouth during a 'Freak-Off' party. Cassie claimed Combs forced a male escort to urinate in her mouth during a 'Freak-Off' party. Photo:The dad of seven is behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY, as he awaits his sentencing. While incarcerated, Combs reportedly enrolled in the STOP Program, a course focused on preventing sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and is undergoing therapy. The 'I'll Be Missing You' rapper is still facing dozens of lawsuits from men and women, accusing him of a range of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity. He has denied all wrongdoing. This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission Originally published as 'Seriously': Donald Trump considering Sean 'Diddy' Combs pardon
