In a high-profile federal trial that captivated the United States and the global entertainment industry, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on Wednesday of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The verdict yields a mixed outcome for the 55-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records, who has denied all allegations against him.
The jury, composed of eight men and four women, deliberated for three days before delivering the verdict in a New York courtroom.
Combs faced five counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
While the jury cleared him of racketeering and sex trafficking, they convicted him on the prostitution-related charge, a felony violation of the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.
Prosecutors painted a disturbing picture of Combs exploiting his wealth, fame, and power over two decades to coerce two of his former romantic partners into participating in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances with paid male sex workers.
These events, often referred to as “Freak Offs,” allegedly involved Combs watching, masturbating, and sometimes filming the encounters.
During raids of Combs’ residences, authorities reportedly found large quantities of drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, which prosecutors said were used during these sexual performances.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told the jury, “The defendant used power, violence, and fear to get what he wanted. He thought that his fame, wealth, and power put him above the law.”
However, Combs’ defence team argued that the sexual activities were consensual and part of a swingers lifestyle. His lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, urged the jury to consider that the prosecution was attempting to criminalise Combs’ private sex life.
The defence acknowledged that Combs could be violent in personal relationships but denied that such behaviour justified the severe charges brought against him.
The acquittal on the most serious charges spares Combs from the possibility of a life sentence, but the conviction on the transportation charge still carries a potential prison term of up to 10 years.
Legal experts suggest that this conviction could significantly damage Combs’ career, which spans music, fashion, reality television, and brand endorsements.
Combs appeared composed as the verdict was read, at times smiling and exchanging gestures with family and supporters in the courtroom.
The mixed verdict brings to a close a dramatic chapter in the life of one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, whose rise from Harlem to global stardom has been marked by both cultural triumphs and personal controversies.
Sentencing is expected in the coming months, and Combs’ legal team has indicated plans to appeal the conviction. The case has sparked widespread discussion about the intersection of celebrity, power, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
