Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team is fighting his conviction.
At a court hearing on April 9th, lawyers for rapper Combs argued for his conviction to be overturned. He was found guilty of violating the Mann Act – a law concerning the transportation of people for illegal sexual activity – and is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence.
According to Reuters, Alexandra Shapiro, Combs’ lawyer, argued in court that the case raises a crucial question about respecting jury decisions and maintaining public trust in the criminal justice system.
According to News Nation, Combs was not present in court for the latest hearing.
Diddy’s lawyers argued in a previous appeal, which CNN obtained, that the gatherings leading to his conviction – events where he transported people across state lines for sexual activity – shouldn’t be considered illegal under the law. They claimed these gatherings were actually amateur pornography shoots.
Okay, so the court documents… they’re saying these parties – they called them ‘freak-offs’ – weren’t just parties. They were… performances. Like, totally planned out. Costumes, different roles we’d all play, even the lights were set up a certain way. And… and it was all filmed. Apparently, Diddy and his girlfriends would watch it later. It’s… it’s just awful to think about, but that’s what they’re saying. It was like… amateur porn, made for them to watch over and over. I can’t even believe I’m admitting I knew anything about this, but… it’s all coming out now.
The court explained that creating and watching pornography is legally protected under the First Amendment, so it can’t be considered a crime. They clarified that, for the purposes of the law, ‘prostitution’ should only refer to cases where money is exchanged directly for sexual acts.
According to court documents from a 2024 indictment reviewed by TopMob News, prosecutors allege that Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, compelled individuals to participate in multi-day, drug-fueled parties—referred to as “Freak Offs”—through the use of force, intimidation, and coercion.
Combs’ lawyers pointed out in their appeal that the usual sentence for this type of offense is 15 months, while Combs received a sentence of 50 months – more than three times the average.
TopMob News reached out to the U.S. District Court for comment but has not yet heard back.
However, in her own court document, Prosecutor Christy Slavik maintained that Judge Subramanian was correct to review evidence concerning all accusations, because Combs’ behavior towards his girlfriends was connected to the prostitution charges.
Now, as Combs’ team fights for an appeal, the prosecution described the argument as “meritless.”
According to CNN, legal documents state that Diddy’s situation is unlike that of adult film companies. The documents allege he paid and transported sex workers to engage in sexual activity with his partners, and sometimes participated himself, for his own pleasure.
The prosecution contends that reversing Combs’ conviction would allow any defendant who drives someone to a location for prostitution to avoid responsibility as long as they merely observe or record the act.
However, the details surrounding the ‘Freak Offs’ aren’t the only reason Combs’ lawyers are seeking an earlier release date. They initially requested a release in June, but it was moved forward to April 15, 2028, on March 31st.
Attorney Shapiro also contended that Judge Arun Subramanian, who will oversee the 2025 trial, shouldn’t have allowed evidence regarding Combs’ past behavior with former girlfriends – including claims of abuse – to be used. This evidence was originally presented in connection with charges Combs was already found not guilty of, such as racketeering, conspiracy, and sex trafficking.
Combs’ lawyers pointed out in their appeal that the standard sentence for this type of offense is 15 months, while Combs received a sentence of 50 months – over three times longer.
TopMob News reached out to the U.S. District Court for comment but has not yet heard back.
However, in her own legal document, Prosecutor Christy Slavik maintained that Judge Subramanian was correct to review evidence concerning all accusations, explaining that Combs’ behavior towards his girlfriends was pertinent to the prostitution charges.
Okay, so Slavik said – and I read all about it, seriously, all about it – that Combs basically thinks the court should have just ignored how he, you know, did those terrible things and hurt people. Like, pretend it didn’t happen? It’s just… unbelievable. He wants them to overlook the abuse! I can’t even with this. It’s infuriating!
The legal battle continues for Combs as he seeks an appeal. Here’s a detailed look at his trial and what led to his conviction.
At the hearing on October 3, 2025, the judge sentenced him to over four years in prison—specifically, 50 months—along with a $500,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
The musician publicly apologized to Cassie Ventura and a woman identified as Jane during his sentencing hearing on October 3rd. This was the first time he had spoken about the case in court.
Combs acknowledged that the impact of his domestic violence will stay with him always. He described his behavior as ‘disgusting, shameful, and sick,’ and admitted he was struggling with drug use and lacked the support he needed. He took full responsibility, stating there’s no justification for his actions.
He went on to share how the case has impacted him.
He explained that he was simply doing his best, but got carried away with his ambitions and pride. As a result of his choices, he lost his freedom, couldn’t be there for his family, and lost everything he had worked for – his businesses, his career, and his good name. Most importantly, he lost his own self-respect. He feels completely broken and humbled, admitting he deeply dislikes himself and has been reduced to having nothing.
Judge Arun Subramanian set Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing for October 3, 2025. The judge also refused to grant Combs bail before the sentencing, explaining that his history of violent behavior meant he should stay in jail.
Okay, so the trial is finally over, and honestly, I’ve been glued to every update. It’s so complicated! Basically, they said Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs wasn’t guilty of the big racketeering stuff or trafficking Cassie and ‘Jane,’ but… they did find him guilty of driving those women around for… well, for prostitution. His lawyer immediately started talking, trying to spin it, but honestly, it’s just… a lot. I’m still trying to process everything, it’s been such a rollercoaster!
Honestly, it all started with Cassie. She was so brave to file that lawsuit back in November 2023. Even though the jury didn’t find enough proof for the sex trafficking charges, she was the one who got them to see what Sean Combs was really about and find him guilty of helping someone travel for prostitution. I truly believe Cassie has changed everything – not just in the music industry, but in the whole fight for justice. She’s a total inspiration, and I’m so proud of her for speaking up!
Acknowledging the charges Combs denied, Wigdor emphasized, “We firmly stand with and support our client, who demonstrated incredible bravery during this process.”
Wigdor also commended Ventura for her testimony, as she was one of 34 witnesses during the 29-day trial involving Combs.
He stated that she demonstrated incredible courage and shed light on the harmful behavior of influential men, as well as the decades of unchecked misconduct. He emphasized that this case showed how urgently change is needed, and they will continue to support survivors.
I was absolutely glued to the news when the verdict came in for Combs. It was such a relief to hear he was found not guilty on three of the five charges! Apparently, when the news broke, he immediately dropped to his knees, resting his head on a chair – it looked like he was praying. Honestly, it was a really moving moment, especially knowing he could have faced life in prison if he’d been convicted on everything. The reporters from NBC News in the courtroom said it was a powerful scene.
According to reports, Combs’ family members were in the courtroom and reacted with applause and cheers to the verdict. His lawyers embraced each other, and Combs himself shared a hug with his attorney, Brian Steel.
After three days of discussion, the jury of twelve reached a decision in the sex trafficking trial against Combs on July 2nd. They found him guilty on two counts related to transporting former girlfriends, Ventura and another woman known only as “Jane,” for the purpose of prostitution.
Sean Combs was acquitted of one charge of conspiracy to commit racketeering and two counts of sex trafficking, despite having previously pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
The jury informed Judge Arun Subramanian that they couldn’t agree on the racketeering charge before delivering their final decision, citing strongly held and unchangeable opinions. The judge urged them to keep discussing the case, and they ultimately reached a verdict a few hours later.
In her closing arguments to the jury, prosecutor Christy Slavik asserted that Sean “Diddy” Combs used intimidation, force, and control to achieve his goals. She spoke for four hours and fifty minutes to make her case.
She explained that he was impossible to dissuade. He considered everything his own and expected everyone around him to cater to his needs.
Slavik highlighted two incidents involving Sean “Diddy” Combs: a physical assault on his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in 2016, and an alleged assault on his then-girlfriend in 2024, who is being referred to as “Jane” during the trial.
Although eight years apart, these two events are connected, representing different parts of the same overall story—the story of Sean Combs and the criminal organization he ran with his close associates.
The criminal organization consistently fulfilled the defendant’s wishes using a calculated pattern of violence, intimidation, and control, she explained. The defendant believed he could hide his crimes by relying on the silence and shame of others, and he thought his celebrity, money, and influence meant the law wouldn’t apply to him.
Slavik claimed that during the trial, Combs benefited from a large team of assistants dedicated to fulfilling his every need, bolstering his image, and shielding him from any negative publicity.
The prosecutors asked the court for permission to change some of their arguments about the attempted arson and kidnapping charges.
Despite still being charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking – including accusations of kidnapping and arson – prosecutors have clarified the charges. In a letter dated June 24th, they stated they’ve removed specific legal instructions related to attempted kidnapping under California and New York laws, attempted arson under California law, and assisting with sex trafficking.
The government also stated it hopes making the instructions easier to understand will both simplify the process and prevent misunderstandings.
Combs told JudgeSubramanian that he will not take the stand during his sex trafficking trial.
As a longtime follower of this case, I really appreciated what the judge said. They made it crystal clear that no matter what the rap mogul decided – whether he took the stand or not – nobody, not even the jury, was allowed to assume anything about his guilt just because he chose not to testify. It was a really important point to protect his rights, and I think a lot of people were relieved to hear it.
Combs admitted he discussed with his team whether or not to testify, but stated the decision to do so ultimately rested with him alone.
“I’ve thought this through completely, and this is what I’ve decided,” he told the judge. “It’s my decision, and I stand by it.”
I’m following the case closely, and I just heard that Teny Garagos, Diddy’s lawyer, told the judge that both sides – her team and the prosecutors – anticipate needing around four hours each to deliver their closing statements. It sounds like it’s going to be a lengthy and detailed wrap-up to the trial!
After several days of testimony from Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello, the prosecution rested its case on June 24th. Combs’ defense team announced they will rely on the evidence already presented and will not call any witnesses of their own.
I was in the courtroom on June 23rd for Ceriello’s testimony, and it was really disturbing. The jury was shown some extremely explicit videos – reporters from NBC News who were also there said they seemed to be from those infamous ‘freak offs’ P. Diddy used to have. They were actually entered as evidence in the case, which was shocking to see firsthand.
The agent reported finding fifty explicit videos from 2021 and 2022, but the jury only viewed two of them, using headphones and individual screens.
In voice messages to his former aide Kristina Khorram, played on June 23rd, Sean Combs outlined several requests he made while staying at a hotel in November 2021. These included asking for more baby oil, which he said he often used during moments of intense emotion.
He told Khorram to have them call him before starting their journey. He added, frustrated about being out, “I can’t believe I’m out. Load twenty bottles into the vehicle.”
Khorram also said she would stay at the hotel one extra night, and let them know, “The baby oil is right outside the door.”
According to text messages, his former employee told him she was setting up an IV drip for him and Jane, which he had previously used to recover after intense competitions, referred to as “freak offs” within the group chat.
She also made sure that there were Plan-B pills, an emergency contraceptive, in his nightstand.
The jury saw text messages exchanged between Combs and Ventura, in which Ventura openly described the emotional and psychological harm she claimed she suffered due to the alleged abuse.
In March 2017, after Combs suggested they take a break from their on-again, off-again relationship (which lasted from 2007 to 2018), Ventura responded that she didn’t want to feel constantly criticized for standing up for herself, and that Combs made her feel unimportant.
In another instance, she further accused her ex of physically assaulting her.
In a letter from May, Ventura wrote that she offered him her love, but he repeatedly hurt her. She described a specific incident where he physically assaulted her, dragging her by her hair. Feeling emotionally and perhaps physically devastated, she stated she was 30 years old and that this behavior wasn’t a game anymore. She also expressed a feeling of detachment from the experience, noting that witnessing her own strength during the ordeal was strangely beautiful.
Brendan Paul, who worked as Sean Combs’ assistant from 2022 to 2024, testified that he bought drugs for Combs several times. These drugs included marijuana, 2C, cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy.
Paul explained that they would contact the drug dealer by text, and the dealer would then come to one of their houses. He said he’d been connected with the dealer through texts or phone calls, and also mentioned being fired from jobs multiple times for things like forgetting a Lululemon fanny pack.
However, Paul vehemently denied being a “drug mule” for the rap mogul.
On June 18th, Judge Subramanian ended the court session for the day because one of the jurors was unable to return due to illness. Court will also be closed on June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday.
The judge explained that a juror is ill and unable to attend today. They experienced dizziness and had to leave. Because this juror is a part of the main jury panel, the judge stated they won’t be able to continue with the trial today.
The judge acknowledged uncertainty about whether the juror’s sudden dizziness, nausea, and headaches would pass quickly or continue long-term, and stated they would keep a close watch on the juror’s condition.
Because of the Juneteenth holiday on June 19th, Judge Subramanian announced the trial will continue on June 20th with a shorter schedule, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Just after Judge Subramanian removed Juror No. 6 due to inconsistent statements about where they live, another juror is now potentially facing removal. This juror reportedly had an inappropriate conversation about the case with a previous coworker. The judge questioned the juror and asked to examine their phone, according to NBC News.
By the end of the court session on June 16, a decision about whether to dismiss the member hadn’t been reached.
Kanye West showed up at the New York City courthouse on June 13th to support Sean Combs. West was there for about half an hour and briefly visited the waiting area, but didn’t go inside the courtroom itself. The courtroom is reserved for Combs’ family, lawyers, the press, and members of the public who have been waiting in line for hours.
Oh my god, I remember her talking about this huge fight she had! Apparently, it all started after she went to Vegas with another rapper and his wife. I mean, can you even imagine the drama? She said it was a really rough patch for them, and it all blew up right after that trip. It’s just… heartbreaking to think about, honestly.
She testified that this behavior escalated to sexual voyeurism. Specifically, she described soliciting Anton, a sex worker she and Combs frequently employed, and witnessing a group of people watching him engage in sexual activity with a woman in a hotel room during their trip.
Jane informed Combs’ lawyer, Geragos, that the music executive was angry after he believed she went to a sexually suggestive party with another man.
I’ve been following the Combs trial closely, and today, on day 21, I heard that the prosecution – specifically, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey – wants to dismiss one of the jurors. It sounds like they’re not happy with someone on the panel and are requesting a change.
She told Judge Subramanian, just before the jury came in, that they were hesitant to submit the letter because it seemed dishonest and raised significant concerns for them.
Defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro, noting that Juror No. 6 is one of the Black jurors, requested a day or two to prepare a written response and review relevant legal precedents.
I heard Judge Subramanian say he’s going to hold off on figuring out the details about the juror until he’s made a decision. Basically, he wants to see where things stand before dealing with any practical issues related to them.
On June 10th, Jane and Garagos had a heated discussion where Garagos implied the witness was exchanging sexual favors for expensive gifts.
Attorney Mark Geragos reviewed text messages from November 2021 between Jane Doe and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The messages revealed that Doe was distressed by Combs having sexual relations with other women. She specifically asked him if he had bought one of those women a Chanel bag after their encounter.
Jane said that she didn’t get a Chanel purse from Combs, telling Garagos that she “got trauma.”
When the attorney asked what a Bottega bag was, she replied, “I’m sure you have one.”
And when Geragos asked how much the item costs, Jane asked, “How much does my body cost?”
Jane was granted a 10-minute break following the exchange.
Jane stated that in 2022, after researching their relationship, she came to believe Combs engaged in, or was interested in, a sexual dynamic where he finds pleasure in watching his partner with another person. She used the term “cuckhold” to describe this.
She explained that the research helped her better understand why people enjoyed watching their partners with other men. She was trying to thoroughly explore all the reasons behind that enjoyment.
The witness suggested that Combs’ interest in “hotel nights,” which closely resembled Ventura’s private encounters, might stem from Combs exploring his own sexuality.
She explained that some individuals might harbor hidden curiosities they feel too embarrassed to explore personally, and instead live vicariously through another person’s experiences.
Jane explained in court that she and Combs had repeatedly hired an escort named Paul, and she’d given him the nickname “Trifecta” because she thought their sexual relationship was as successful as a winning combination in basketball.
“I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq [O’Neil],” she told jurors. “Combs was Michael Jordan.”
She said Paul was “really nice,” and explained that if she were to engage with sex workers, she preferred those who seemed kind and had a positive vibe.
Okay, so Jane basically admitted that seeing P. Diddy with that other woman, Khorram, really bothered her. She said it was a huge issue in their relationship, like it caused so much drama for her while she was falling for him. It was clearly something she struggled with, and she finally just had to talk about it!
Jane explained that Khorram was constantly with Sean, which created problems in their relationship. She felt Khorram had strong feelings for her, and that those feelings affected how Sean behaved towards her.
On June 10th, Judge Subramanian rejected a request from Combs’ lawyers to halt the trial. The lawyers claimed that Ventura and her friend, Bryana Bongolan, falsely stated that Combs had threatened Bongolan by holding her over a balcony on the 17th floor.
His attorneys, who had previously asked for a mistrial but were turned down, claimed in a court document that the prosecution acted improperly by presenting false testimony.
According to a letter submitted to the court, the government presented evidence during the trial that they either knew was false or should have known was false. This evidence concerned their claim that Mr. Combs threatened Bryana Bongolan by holding her over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016. Because of this, the letter argues the court should declare a mistrial to prevent an unfair verdict.
Jane alleged that the rap mogul had beaten her for hours June 2024.
Jane stated that an argument with Combs started because he was seeing a much younger woman – 25 years his junior, she said. This led to her calling him a deeply offensive name and physically assaulting him by pushing his head into a marble countertop.
The witness testified that she hid in the bedroom while Sean Combs tried to force the door open—photos of the damaged door were shown as evidence. She claimed that as she attempted to escape, Combs kicked her in the thigh, causing her to fall.
She told the prosecutors that he grabbed her in a chokehold and lifted her off the ground, making it hard to breathe. She said she was struggling to get away from him, and was forced to stand on her toes while trying to escape his hold.
Jane stated she fled her house and hid behind an outside wall for about two hours, hoping the person would go away, but they didn’t. She then said they both went back to his house, and she curled up in the backyard to shield herself while he reportedly attacked her.
Jane testified that the fight became violent after Combs supposedly hit her. She told the court he began punching her in the head and kicking her, repeatedly hitting her while also yelling.
She alleged that he told her that she was “trying to take him away from his kids and his family.”
She testified that she told him, “No, I don’t want that. Please just leave me alone.” She said he then grabbed her arm and hair, and began dragging her back towards the house, pulling her by her hair and arm.
Jane reported that after the incident, she had two raised bumps about the size of golf balls on her forehead and a black eye.
Jane reported that Homeland Security Investigations raided her home—which Sean Combs had paid for in March 2023—as well as several other properties owned by him. She stated that agents arrived at her house, and she immediately contacted Combs’ head of security to inform him of the raid.
In December 2023, Jane claimed a powerful person threatened to share intimate videos of them with the father of her child.
Jane testified that as her relationship with Combs fell apart, he told her he had nothing to fear from releasing the videos. She described it as a relentless series of pressuring phone calls.
Jane texted Khorram about what happened, and this conversation was later shown as evidence. In her messages, Jane stated that Combs was threatening to release a video, and she claimed she was “heavily drugged” in it.
She explained she needed space from Combs to heal from the emotional pain he had inflicted.
Jane told the court that Khorram assured her that Combs would not use the footage.
In her testimony, Jane stated that some claims made in Ventura’s November 2023 lawsuit – which was eventually resolved – were similar to what she herself went through with Combs.
Honestly, listening to her testimony was heartbreaking. She actually said she nearly passed out, and I think she did for a moment. She explained, while crying, that there were three pages in particular that described exactly what she was going through, and they were just… devastating to hear about.
Jane, a participant in the “hotel nights” events, shared that the experience felt deeply personal, like witnessing her own life unfold. This prompted her to reach out to Combs directly through text messages.
After Ventura filed her lawsuit, she wrote, according to evidence presented, that reading it felt like reliving her own sexual trauma. She described feeling deeply disturbed, saying the lawsuit detailed, almost verbatim, the drug-fueled experiences she had lived through. She accused Ventura of anticipating this outcome and of manipulating her, causing her emotional distress.
The messages expressed strong distress, stating the sender felt pressured into repeated sexual acts. They described feeling invalidated and traumatized by the experience, and stated they felt violated and exploited.
Combs then called Jane and secretly recorded their conversation, which was later used as evidence. During the call, he reminded her that they had shared experiences and stated he needed her present at a specific time.
Jane, unaware she was being recorded, told Combs she felt nauseous after reviewing Ventura’s documents.
Jane stated that during her involvement with Combs and male escorts in events called “Hotel Nights,” she frequently used ecstasy. However, on one occasion, she chose to abstain from drugs while engaging in sexual activity with three men.
She testified that she had been with several men earlier that night and had vomited. Sean then entered and reassured her, saying she would feel better if they went outside.
Jane said that at the end of the night, she felt “absolutely terrible.”
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2026-04-09 21:54