Photo Credit: Tingey Law
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was officially sentenced to 50 months in federal prison after an emotional and highly publicized hearing in New York. The music mogul was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution—ending a trial that has drawn nationwide attention.
Combs’ attorney, Brian Steel, argued that the trial and imprisonment had already taken a profound toll on the 55-year-old. He told the court, “please consider the following two reasons I believe we’re here—untreated trauma and a ferocious drug addiction that got out of hand.” Steel also revealed that Combs was nearly stabbed in prison, stating, “Sean is not a typical person in custody, everyone knows him. It’s a trophy for them, they get recognition if they harm him.”
Combs, visibly shaken, addressed the court at length. He issued a direct apology to Cassie Ventura: “One of the hardest things that I’ve had to handle is having to be quiet. Not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions. I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I’ve caused her—emotionally or physically.”
He went further in acknowledging his family: “Most of all, I lost my self-respect. I’ve been humbled and broken to my core… I want to apologize to my seven children. Y’all deserve better.”
In his plea for mercy, Combs reflected on leadership and missteps: “Growing up as a kid, I just wanted to be a shining example of what we could do… That was my mission. I got lost. I’m not this bad person. I’m sorry to my community for letting y’all down.”
“I ask your honor for the chance to be a father again. I ask your honor for the chance to be a son again. I ask your honor for the chance to be a leader in my community again,” he said before concluding, “I don’t have nobody to blame but myself. I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again. I know that I’ve learned my lesson.”
Judge Arun Subramanian rejected the defense’s characterization of Combs’ conduct, stating, “I reject the defense’s attempt to characterize the ‘freak offs’ and hotel nights as intimate consensual experiences or just a ‘sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll story.”
The judge also addressed the wider impact of Combs’ actions: “A history of good works cannot erase the power and control you had over the women you professed to love dearly. You abused them physically, emotionally, and psychologically and you used that to get your way.”
Subramanian stressed that the crimes spanned more than a decade, made possible by Combs’ fame and financial power. “A substantial sentence must be given to send a message to abusers and victims alike that abuse against women is met with real accountability.”
With that, the court handed down a 50-month sentence, falling well below the prosecution’s request of at least 135 months. In addition to the prison time, the judge also imposed a $500,000 fine against Diddy, which is the maximum that he could order.
