Diddy to stay locked up in prison after being denied $50m bail ahead of sentencing for prostitution

The Irish Sun

3 days ago

SEAN "Diddy" Combs has been denied $50 million bail - for the second time - ahead of his October 3 sentencing on prostitution charges.
Judge Arun Subramanian agreed with federal prosecutors' decision to keep the disgraced rapper locked up at MDC Brooklyn.
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A federal court denied Combs' request that he be released on bail ahead of his sentencing
Credit: Getty
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The rapper will remain inside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) until October 3
Credit: Reuters
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A courtroom sketch showing Combs' reaction after he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges on July 2
Credit: AP
In a court order issued on Monday, the US district judge wrote there were no 'exceptional reasons' warranting Combs' release before his sentencing.
The former music mogul reportedly filed a new motion for bail last week, offering a $50 million bail package in which he pledged to stay at his Miami home and restrict travel to Florida and New York.
His legal team argued there is no binding precedent for keeping him in jail before sentencing - an argument Judge Subramanian rejected.
They also claimed he is likely the only man in America jailed for hiring male sex workers to sleep with his girlfriend.
But Subramanian dismissed this, stating that the case involved 'evidence of violence, coercion or subjugation in connection with the acts of prostitution'.
When Combs' legal team raised concerns about his safety at MDC Brooklyn, Subramanian said staff protected Combs 'even during an incident of threatened violence from an inmate'.
The judge added that the bail denial will not affect Combs' sentencing in 60 days' time.
Combs faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence - 10 years for each count of transportation to engage in prostitution.
However, federal prosecutors have said they would seek a three- to five-year sentence.
On July 2, Combs was convicted on two prostitution-related counts, but was acquitted of the more serious charges he faced.
Diddy is found GUILTY of prostitution but cleared of most serious charge
He was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking in regard to his ex-girlfriends Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura and "Jane" (pseudonym).
The music executive fell to his knees in prayer after the jury foreperson read the verdict.
Combs' defence team delivered a post-verdict victory speech to reporters outside the US District Courthouse, calling the outcome a "great victory for the jury system".
Agnifilo said the 12-person jury "got the situation right - or certainly, right enough".
"We are not nearly done fighting. We're not going to stop until he walks out of prison a free man to his family," he added.
Meanwhile, in their closing arguments, prosecutors described Combs as the "leader of a criminal enterprise", who used his expansive "wealth, power, violence, and fear to get what he wanted".
The prosecution's case centred on disturbing and graphic testimony about drug-fuelled 'freak-offs' during which Combs allegedly coerced his ex-girlfriends into participate in sex acts with male escorts.
Prosecutor Slavik told jurors that Combs forced Cassandra Ventura and 'Jane' into punishing sex marathons and - with the help of a close circle of 'loyal lieutenants' - concealed the alleged abuse.
Ventura and "Jane" were sometimes required to engage in these acts - referred to as 'hotel nights' and 'wild king nights' - even while suffering from painful urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to prosecutors.
Combs was first denied bail in November 2024 - shortly after his arrest in late September of that year.
The time Combs has already served in jail - which will be over a year by the time he is sentenced - will be credited towards the final sentence imposed by the judge.
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Diddy reacts after verdicts of the five counts against him are read on July 2 in a courtroom sketch
Credit: Reuters