Sean “Diddy” Combs is detailing how prison has changed him.
Just a day before his sentencing for being convicted of transporting people for the purpose of prostitution, the founder of Bad Boy Records-who has been in jail since last September-shared a letter with the judge stating that he is now sober.
“Although this situation has been the hardest and darkest time in my life, good things have come out of my incarceration,” Combs wrote in his Oct. 2 letter, obtained by NBC News. “For starters, I am now sober for the first time in 25 years. I have been trying my best to deal with my drug abuse and anger issues and take accountability as well as positive steps towards healing.”
Acknowledging he strayed from the right path due to “the drugs and the excess,” the 55-year-old explained, “I felt like my former self passed away in jail, and I’ve been reborn as a different person. Prison either transforms you or destroys you-I’ve chosen to live.”
Sean Combs-who was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering charges in his federal case last July-has stated he accepts “full responsibility and accountability” for his “past wrongs” and that he is “no longer running from” his “mistakes.”
“I can’t undo what’s already happened, but I *can* shape what’s to come,” he went on. “Being in prison has been a deeply transformative experience for me, a sort of spiritual fresh start. I’m committed to a path that will require patience and effort.”
He stated, “I’m really putting in more effort now than ever before. I’m dedicated to continuing to live a life free of drugs, violence, and focused on peace. I’m grateful to God that I’m more resilient, insightful, and healthy – both physically and mentally.”
The rapper behind “I Need A Girl” also mentioned his children, Quincy, 34, Justin, 31, Christian, 27, Chance, 19, Jessie, 18, D’lila, 18, and Love, 2, and asked the judge for leniency, stating, “I have failed my children as a father.”
“I’m asking for another opportunity,” he finished. “A chance to be a better dad, a better son, a better community leader, and to simply live a better life.”
The sentencing hearing for Combs is set for October 3rd at the Federal District Court in Manhattan, New York.
Read on for all the revelations from Combs’ federal trial.
In July, Judge Arun Subramanian set Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ sentencing date for October 3, 2025. The judge rejected Combs’ request for release on bail before sentencing, explaining that the rapper had a “years-long pattern of violence” and should remain in jail.
Following the trial, where Combs was acquitted of charges related to racketeering and sex trafficking of both Cassie Ventura and a woman known as “Jane“-but convicted of transporting them for the purpose of prostitution-the singer’s attorney responded to the court’s decisions.
The legal proceedings began when our client, Cassie Ventura, bravely filed a lawsuit in November 2023,” Douglas Wigdor stated in a July 2nd announcement to TopMob News. “Even though the jury didn’t find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie to the required legal standard, her actions allowed them to find him liable for transporting someone for the purpose of prostitution. By sharing her story, Cassie has had a lasting impact on both the entertainment world and the pursuit of justice.
As someone who follows these cases closely, and knowing the weight of these charges – which Mr. Combs has pleaded not guilty to – I want to emphasize something crucial. As his legal counsel, we wholeheartedly believe and stand by our client. He demonstrated incredible courage throughout this entire process, and we fully support him without reservation.
Wigdor also commended Ventura, one of the 34 people who testified during Combs’ 29-day trial, for her dedication and work.
He went on to say that she demonstrated remarkable courage and shed light on the problematic behavior of influential figures, as well as the decades of misconduct that had gone unpunished. “This case showed us that real change is desperately needed, and we remain committed to supporting survivors,” he stated.
After learning he was found not guilty on three of the five charges in his federal case, Combs-who could have faced life in prison if convicted on everything-dropped to his knees and bowed his head into a chair, appearing to pray, according to NBC News reporters present in the courtroom.
According to reports from the news outlet, Combs’ family members were in the courtroom, applauding and celebrating the outcome for the music executive. The lawyers representing Combs embraced one another, and Combs himself hugged attorney Brian Steel.
On July 2nd, the jury of 12 people announced their decisions regarding the five federal charges against Combs in his sex trafficking case. After three days of discussion, the jurors found him guilty on two counts of transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution, involving both a former girlfriend, Ventura, and another woman known only as “Jane.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs-who maintained his innocence regarding all accusations-was acquitted of one charge of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.
On the day before issuing their decision, the jury informed U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that they couldn’t agree on the racketeering charge because of strongly held, differing opinions. Judge Subramanian spoke to the jury and asked them to keep discussing the case. They ultimately reached a verdict just hours after resuming discussions the following day.
The prosecutor, Christy Slavik, took nearly five hours – four hours and fifty minutes, to be exact – to summarize the case for the jury. She contended that Sean “Diddy” Combs routinely employed intimidation, force, and threats to achieve his goals.
Let me tell you, this man was incredibly determined. As one person put it, “He doesn’t take no for an answer.” It really was his world, and everyone around him felt obligated to cater to his every need. It was like living in his kingdom, where serving him was the expectation. Honestly, it was quite a dynamic!
As a longtime observer, I’ve been following the case closely, and it’s disturbing to recall what’s come to light. It’s incredibly upsetting to remember Cassie Ventura’s physical assault back in 2016 at the hands of Combs. And now, during the trial, we’ve heard about another alleged assault in 2024, this time involving his then-girlfriend, who is being referred to as Jane to protect her identity.
She explained, “Although these two events happened eight years apart, they aren’t isolated incidents.” She continued, “Instead, they’re like parts of a single, larger narrative – the story of Sean Combs and the criminal organization he headed, which included people close to him.”
She continued, explaining that the criminal group consistently fulfilled the defendant’s wishes by using a calculated approach involving violence, intimidation, and control. The defendant believed he could conceal his actions by relying on the silence and embarrassment of others, thinking his celebrity, riches, and influence meant he was untouchable by the law. He assumed his status protected him.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial a strong support system is, and in the case of this trial, Slavik pointed out that Combs had a dedicated team – she called it “a small army of personal staff.” Their job, as she described it, was to anticipate and fulfill his every need, essentially building up his image and shielding his reputation no matter what. They were completely focused on promoting his power and protecting him at all costs.
The prosecutors filed a document with the court asking for permission to change some details of their arguments regarding the attempted arson and kidnapping charges.
Despite still being charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking-including allegations of kidnapping and arson-prosecutors stated in a letter dated June 24th that they had dropped specific instructions related to attempted kidnapping under the laws of both California and New York, attempted arson under California law, and assisting with sex trafficking.
The government also stated it hopes that making the language simpler will not only make the instructions easier to follow, but also prevent any misunderstandings.
Combs told JudgeSubramanian that he will not take the stand during his sex trafficking trial.
Okay, so the judge *really* drove this home, and I was hanging on every word! Basically, they were saying that no matter what he decides – whether he takes the stand or not – absolutely *no one*, not even the jury, can think he’s guilty just because he didn’t want to testify. It’s like, they were making it super clear that it can’t be held against him. I mean, it’s so important, they had to say it, you know? It’s about protecting his rights, and I’m just… obsessed with making sure everything is fair for him!
Combs stated he had discussed with his team the possibility of not testifying, but stressed that the ultimate decision to do so was entirely his own.
“I’ve given this a lot of thought, and this is what I’ve decided,” he told the judge. “This is entirely my call, and I stand by it.”
As a legal observer, I’m following the Diddy case closely. Teny Garagos, Combs’ lawyer, just informed the judge that both sides – her team and the prosecutors – anticipate needing around “at least four hours” apiece to deliver their closing statements. It sounds like it will be a lengthy and detailed summation of the evidence!
After Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello finished several days of testimony for the prosecution on June 24th, the defense is set to present its case. Combs’ legal team announced they won’t be calling any witnesses and will instead base their argument on the evidence already presented.
During Ceriello’s testimony on June 23rd, the jury saw explicit videos. NBC News reporters present in the courtroom said the videos seemed to be from events Combs called “freak offs,” and they were officially submitted as evidence.
The special agent reported finding 50 explicit videos dated from 2021 and 2022, but the jury only viewed two of these files-using headphones and screens to do so.
In voicemails to his former chief of staff Kristina Khorram played on June 23, Combs outlined a number of requests he had while staying at a hotel in November 2021. These included asking for more baby oil, which he said he often used when he became upset-referring to these times as “freak offs.”
He told Khorram, “Have them call me before they start driving.” Then, seemingly surprised to be released, he added, “I can’t believe I’m out. Load 20 bottles into this thing.”
In addition to extending her hotel stay by one day, Khorram responded, “OK. The baby oil is right outside the door.”
According to group text messages, his former employee messaged that she was setting up an IV drip for him and Jane, which he had previously used to recover from at least one intense competition, referred to as a “freak off”.
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 these messages, the singer of “Long Way 2 Go” openly described how the alleged abuse was affecting her.
In March 2017, after Combs inquired if Ventura-with whom he had an on-again, off-again relationship from 2007 to 2018-wanted to take some time apart, she responded, “No. I simply don’t want to be criticized or diminished for standing up for myself, ever. Your actions make me feel insignificant and unimportant.”
In another instance, she further accused her ex of physically assaulting her.
“I offered you my love, but the moment I looked away, and you messed up, you physically pulled me around by my hair. I’m 30 years old,” Ventura wrote to him that May. “This isn’t a game anymore. Last night, I felt as though I was dying, and it was strangely comforting to witness my own inner strength and beauty.”
Sean Combs’ previous assistant, Brendan Paul-who worked for him from 2022 to 2024-stated in court that he bought drugs for Combs several times. These drugs included “Marijuana, 2C, cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy.”
Paul explained that they would contact the drug dealer by text, and the dealer would then come to one of their houses. He also remembered being fired on several occasions for different reasons, including leaving a Lululemon fanny pack behind. He said he initially met the dealer through texts or phone calls.
However, Paul vehemently denied being a “drug mule” for the rap mogul.
Judge Subramanian ended the court session for the day on June 18th because one of the jurors was unable to return due to feeling sick. Please note that court will also be closed on June 19th for Juneteenth.
The judge explained that a juror is unwell and unable to attend court. They had experienced dizziness (vertigo) and had to return home. The juror’s partner informed the court of the situation. Because this juror is a member of the main jury, the judge stated that they won’t be able to continue with the trial today. More details will be provided as they become available.
The judge pointed out that it’s not yet known if the juror’s sudden vertigo-causing symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and headaches-will pass quickly or become a lasting problem, but stated they would “monitor the situation.”
Since the court is closed on June 19 for Juneteenth, Judge Subramanian stated the trial will continue on June 20 with a shorter session, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Just after Judge Subramanian removed Juror No. 6 due to inconsistent answers about where he lives, another juror is now potentially facing removal. This stems from an alleged inappropriate discussion about the case with a previous coworker. The juror was questioned by the judge and, according to NBC News, had his phone examined.
By the close of the court session on June 16, a decision regarding the member’s dismissal hadn’t been reached.
Kanye West showed up at the New York City courthouse on June 13th to support Sean Combs. The “Stronger” rapper was there for roughly 30 minutes, quickly stopping by the waiting area but didn’t go inside the courtroom itself. The courtroom is mainly for Combs’ family and lawyers, and also for members of the media and people who waited in line for hours to get a seat.
Jane remembered a disagreement they had after she took a trip to Las Vegas with a different rapper and his spouse.
She stated that this resulted in the act of watching someone engage in sexual activity without their knowledge, after she contacted Anton, a sex worker she and Combs frequently employed. During the trip, a group of people observed him having sex with a woman in a hotel room.
Jane informed Combs’ lawyer, Geragos, that the music executive was angry because he believed she had gone to a sexually suggestive event with another man. He used the phrase “freak off” to describe what he thought she attended.
During the 21st day of the Combs trial, Maurene Comey, a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s office, informed the court that her team wants to dismiss one of the twelve jurors.
“We really didn’t want to submit this letter,” she explained to Judge Subramanian just before the jury came into the New York City courtroom. “It seemed like someone wasn’t being honest with the court, and that’s a major concern for us.”
Defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro-noting that Juror No. 6 is one of the Black jurors-requested a day or two to submit a written response and review relevant legal precedents.
Judge Subramanian stated he will delay making arrangements for the juror until a decision is reached.
On June 10th, Jane and Garagos had a difficult discussion where Garagos implied the witness was exchanging sexual favors for expensive gifts.
Geragos reviewed text messages from November 2021 exchanged between Jane and Combs. The messages revealed the witness was distressed that Combs was having sexual relations with other women. According to the texts, she questioned Combs about whether he had gifted one of these women “a Chanel bag” after intimacy.
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 approximately 2022, she came to believe that Combs was a “cuckhold”-someone who derives enjoyment from witnessing their partner’s sexual encounter with another individual-after researching the nature of their relationship.
“It helped me understand things better,” she explained, describing her motivation for the research. “I was really trying to thoroughly investigate all the reasons why they enjoyed watching their partner with other men.”
The witness suggested that Combs’ interest in “hotel nights”-experiences very similar to Ventura’s “freak offs”-might stem from him exploring his own sexuality.
She testified that individuals who exhibit this behavior might have genuine curiosities they are too embarrassed to explore personally. Therefore, they use the woman as a proxy to satisfy those curiosities without directly participating in the acts themselves.
Jane stated that she gave Paul-an escort she and Combs hired several times-the nickname “Trifecta.” She explained that she chose the name because she felt their sexual relationship was as successful as the performance of great basketball players.
“I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq [O’Neil],” she told jurors. “Combs was Michael Jordan.”
She called Paul “really nice,” and mentioned that if she “had to” engage with sex workers, she preferred “someone with a warm energy.”
Jane stated that Combs’ relationship with Khorram caused problems and disagreements, and was a source of conflict in the witness’ romantic involvement with the music executive.
“She was constantly by his side,” Jane explained about Khorram. “This created problems for Sean and me. I think she felt very strongly about me, and that affected how Sean behaved towards me.”
As a close follower of this case, I was really paying attention on June 10th when Judge Subramanian rejected the mistrial request from Combs’ lawyers. They were claiming that Bryana Bongolan and Ventura weren’t truthful about Combs allegedly holding Ms. Bongolan over the balcony on the 17th floor. It was a key moment, and the judge clearly didn’t agree with their argument.
His legal team, who had previously sought a mistrial but were unsuccessful, claimed in the court document that the prosecution engaged in “misconduct” by presenting “perjured testimony.”
The letter states, “During this trial, the government presented evidence they knew, 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.” The letter argues, “To prevent an unjust conviction, the Court should declare a mistrial.”
Jane alleged that the rap mogul had beaten her for hours June 2024.
Jane stated that an argument started between her and Combs because he was seeing a woman much younger than him – 25 years younger, to be exact. She said this disagreement resulted in her calling him a “pedophile” and physically assaulting him by pushing his head into a marble kitchen counter.
The witness stated she hid in the main bedroom, and Sean “Diddy” Combs began trying to force the door open. (Pictures of the damaged door were shown as evidence.) She claimed that while attempting to escape, the Bad Boy Records founder kicked her in the back of her leg, causing her to fall.
She told the prosecution that he pinned her to the ground in a chokehold, then lifted her up, making it impossible to breathe. She said she was struggling to escape his hold and was forced to stand on her tiptoes.
Jane stated she quickly left the house and concealed herself behind an outside wall for about two hours, waiting for him to go away, but he stayed. She continued, explaining they then went back to his house, and she huddled in the backyard, trying to shield herself while Combs supposedly assaulted her.
Jane testified that the fight got worse after Combs supposedly hit her in return. “He began punching my head,” she stated to the court. “He then started kicking me. He was yelling all sorts of things while continuing to punch.”
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’m not. Please just leave me alone. Just go. Please stop.’ Then, she said, he grabbed her by the arm and hair and began dragging her back towards the house-pulling her by her hair and arm.”
Following the reported attack, Jane stated she noticed “two welts about the size of golf balls” on her forehead, and she also had a black eye.
Jane stated that investigators from Homeland Security raided her home-which Sean Combs paid for in March 2023-as well as several other properties owned by him. She explained that when agents arrived at her house, she immediately contacted Combs’ chief of security to inform him of what was happening.
Jane claimed that the powerful businessman threatened to share their intimate videos with her child’s father in December 2023.
As Jane and Combs’ relationship worsened, she stated he told her he had “nothing to lose” by making the videos public. She explained in court that it was “just back-to-back pressure phone calls.”
She sent a message to Khorram detailing what happened, and this message was submitted as evidence. In the text messages, Jane stated that Combs was threatening to release the video, and she claimed she was “heavily drugged” in it.
She also stated she required “time away from” Combs as she worked to process “all the trauma” he inflicted.
Jane told the court that Khorram assured her that Combs would not use the footage.
During her testimony, Jane stated that certain aspects of Ventura’s lawsuit from November 2023-which was eventually resolved-closely resembled her personal experiences with Combs.
“I nearly passed out, and I believe I actually did,” she shared with the jury, tears welling up. “There were three particular pages that were a deeply upsetting reflection of what I was going through.”
Jane, a participant in the “hotel nights,” shared that the experience felt like she was reading her own story. This prompted her to reach out to Combs directly through text messages.
In screenshots presented as evidence, she wrote that reading about Ventura’s lawsuit felt like reliving her own sexual trauma. She expressed feeling unwell, stating the details were a verbatim account of “drug-filled days and nights.” She accused him of anticipating this outcome and of manipulating her, leading her to question her own sanity. “You knew this was coming. You gaslit me, you made me go crazy.”
“I’m deeply upset and felt pressured to engage in activity repeatedly,” the messages went on to say. “You made me question my own feelings about the sexual trauma I was experiencing. I feel extremely violated. This felt like sexual exploitation.”
Combs then called Jane and secretly recorded their conversation, which was later presented as evidence. During the call, he told her they “did these things together” and stated that “this is when” he required her “to be there.”
While unaware she was being recorded, Jane shared with Combs that she felt “sick” to her stomach after reviewing Ventura’s documents.
Jane stated that during her involvement in “Hotel Nights” with Combs and male escorts, she frequently used ecstasy. However, on one occasion, she chose to abstain from drugs while engaging in sexual activity with three men.
She stated in court, “I was with several men that night.” She explained that she vomited, and then Sean entered the room, saying, ‘You’ll feel better now. Let’s go outside.’”
Jane said that at the end of the night, she felt “absolutely terrible.”
On June 7th, after 18 days of the trial, Combs’ lawyers requested a mistrial. They claimed that Ventura and Bongolan had falsely stated that the rap mogul had threatened Bongolan by holding him over the balcony on the 17th floor.
The legal team for Combs-after Judge Subramanian previously rejected their request for a mistrial-claimed the prosecution engaged in “misconduct” by presenting what they called “perjured testimony.”
The letter states, “During this trial, the government presented evidence they knew, or should have known, was significantly untrue. This relates to their claim that Mr. Combs threatened Bryana Bongolan by holding her over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016.” The letter concludes, “Therefore, to prevent an unjust conviction, the Court should declare a mistrial.”
The defense team claimed Bongolan wasn’t truthful regarding the event, highlighting what they said were contradictions in her account. The prosecution is scheduled to reply on June 9th, and the judge will announce a decision the following day.
Jane stated in court that Combs started covering her rent in April 2023, which was after they had been together for two years, and continues to do so. She explained that they had previously agreed, about a month before, that he would give her a regular monthly allowance.
I recall it happening during that ‘hotel night’-that’s when Sean brought up this ‘love contract’ between the two of us,” she explained to the jury. “He was asking me how much I’d want as an allowance every
month, just moving forward, that’s what he was going to do for me.”
She explained that they’d discussed a monthly allowance: “I suggested 15,000, and he countered with 10,000.” She then began searching for a new home and ultimately moved, utilizing the agreed-upon budget. “I really wanted a large, comfortable space for my child and me,” she said. “A place where I could relax and find some equilibrium in our dynamic. I had been pouring all my affection into him, and this felt like his way of giving something back to me.”
Jane stated that, according to their agreement, she was entitled to financial support “for everything without pressure for two years.”
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2025-10-03 04:50