Prosecutors give closing arguments in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial
Christy Slavik spoke for nearly five hours, as she presented the prosecution's closing arguments after more than six weeks of testimony and 34 witnesses.
She began by describing the 55-year-old music mogul, telling the court: "He's the leader of a criminal enterprise. He doesn't take 'no' for an answer. And now you know about many crimes he committed with members of his enterprise."
She said charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy were supported by proof that over two decades, Combs kidnapped one of his employees, committed arson by trying to blow up fellow rapper Kid Cudi's car, engaged in forced labour, bribed a security officer and carried out the "brutal crimes at the heart of this case."
Diddy trial: As it happened
Ms Slavik said Combs "again and again forced, threatened and manipulated" his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura and an ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym Jane into drugged-up, elaborate sexual performances, dubbed "freak offs" or "hotel" or "king nights".
"The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted," she said. "He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law."
Combs is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two charges of sex trafficking, and two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has strenuously denied all allegations of sexual abuse.
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Ms Slavik said Combs used a "small army" of employees - his trusted inner circle of staff including bodyguards and assistants - to "serve his needs," covering up his harm to women in the process.
Homing in on the racketeering charge against him, she said, while Combs was already "very powerful", he became even more so with the support of his business.
She said Combs and his inner circle "committed hundreds of racketeering acts," including drug distribution, kidnapping, arson and witness tampering.
They listed drugs such as cocaine, meth, ketamine, Oxycodone and MDMA, that Combs's assistants said they procured for him, or that federal agents said they found during raids of his multiple homes.
During parts of the evidence, Combs looked dejected, sitting with his head down, and with his chair pushed back from the defence table. At one point, when video footage of Combs appearing to beat Cassie at the InterContinental Hotel was shown to the court, he looked away.
Combs has been in a New York jail since his arrest in September last year. If convicted on all counts, he could face a minimum 15-year prison term and could be sentenced to life behind bars.
The 12-member jury must be unanimous to convict Combs on any of the counts.
Defence lawyers have conceded that Combs was involved in domestic violence but say he committed no federal crimes.
They say the women took part in the "freak offs" willingly and that there was no racketeering conspiracy because none of his employees agreed to be part of any conspiracy. They say the drugs procured were for his own personal use.
But in her closing argument, Ms Slavik said employees repeatedly agreed to commit crimes for Combs, such as delivering him drugs, accompanying him to kidnap his personal assistant, Capricorn Clark, and locking his girlfriend in a hotel room after he stomped on her face.
In her conclusion, she said proof of Combs's guilt had been demonstrated, adding: "Before today, he was able to get away with it due to his money, power and influence, but that stops now…
"It is time to hold him accountable, it is time for justice, and it's time to find him guilty."
On Friday, Combs's lead attorney Marc Agnifilo will give his closing argument, followed by the government's rebuttal.
Judge Arun Subramanian says he will instruct the jury on the law later that day, allowing them to begin deliberating as early as late afternoon.
The trial continues.
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Business Insider
6 hours ago
- Business Insider
Diddy could get a 20-year prison sentence but the reality probably won't be anything close to that
Shortly after a jury acquitted Sean "Diddy" Combs of the most severe charges against him, a prosecutor still warned that he was a danger to society. The two Mann Act counts for which he was convicted, related to transporting victims for prostitution, still carried a combined sentence of up to 20 years in prison, said Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey Wednesday, urging the judge to keep Combs in jail until his sentencing hearing. "The maximum sentence the defendant faces is 20 years in prison under the two statutes of which he's been convicted now," Comey said. While Combs could get a severe sentence, he's not likely to get anything close to 20 years. "Even though the Mann Act carries a potential 10-year maximum sentence, Diddy is going to get time served or close to it," said Neama Rahmani, the president of West Coast Trial Lawyers and a former federal prosecutor. "His sentencing guideline range may be as low as 15-21 months." The sentence will ultimately be decided by US District Judge Arun Subramanian, who presided over the trial in a lower Manhattan courtroom. In a letter to the judge later on Wednesday, prosecutors said that sentencing guidelines called for more like five years in prison. Even though Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, which could have resulted in a lifelong prison sentence, prosecutors said Subramanian should still take into account the violence and drug use that witnesses testified about. They estimated a sentence of between 4 years and 3 months to 5 years and 3 months, but cautioned that they were still evaluating a sentencing recommendation and may come up with a new estimate before the hearing. Combs' attorneys say the sentencing guidelines point to a range of 21 to 27 months, and that he would be entitled to even less time behind bars. Nadia Shihata, a former Assistant US Attorney who prosecuted R. Kelly on racketeering related to sex abuse, said a 20-year sentence was unlikely even if Subramanian takes a broad view of the evidence. In order to get 20 years, prosecutors will have to ask the judge to consider acquitted conduct, Shihata said. Even though those predicates and sex trafficking weren't proved at trial, the judge can decide if there was a perponderance of evidence proving those acquitted crimes. Shihata believes it's unlikely the judge "will give him anywhere near 20 years." Combs has already spent 10 months incarcerated in the Metropolitan Detention Center, which would count toward any sentence decided by Subramanian. The judge on Wednesday indicated he is already considering Combs' violent conduct, which his lawyers had admitted to jurors at trial. Subramanian did not grant Combs bail to allow him to be released from custody ahead of the sentencing hearing, noting that the trial evidence demonstrated he couldn't prove he wouldn't be a danger to those around him. "This type of violence, which happens behind closed doors in personal relationships, sparked by unpredictable bouts of anger, is impossible to police with conditions," Subramanian said. "Having conceded the defendant's propensity for violence in this way, it is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger to any other person or the community." Subramanian set a tentative sentencing hearing date for October 3, but said it may be sooner depending on whether the federal sentencing commission could prepare a report on a recommended sentence before then.
USA Today
18 hours ago
- USA Today
Everything that came out of Diddy's trial, from disturbing allegations to photos of belongings
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial had no shortage of disturbing testimony and illuminating evidence. Even for those following every step of the way in the eight-week trial, from jury selection to witness testimony, closing arguments and jury deliberations, there were a lot of claims and evidence to parse through. One juror described taking 350 pages of handwritten notes during testimony, and it was clear the 12-person jury had much to sort through before handing down the verdict that acquitted Combs of his top criminal charges. Before telling the judge they had reached a unanimous vote on four of five criminal counts on July 1, the jury asked to review testimony transcripts and refresh their memories regarding what Cassie Ventura Fine said about Combs' physical assault at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016 as well as his abusive actions at the Cannes Film Festival. They also requested testimony from Daniel Phillip, who was hired to have sex with Ventura Fine. Here are the key moments and pieces of evidence that led to the split verdict. More: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' 'Diddy Inc.' empire of mansions, cars and jet likely spared by verdict Cassie Ventura Fine's testimony in Diddy trial included 'freak offs,' other graphic abuse The "Me & U" singer testified May 13-16 and laid bare the raw details of their complicated relationship, including her participation in alleged drug-fueled sexual performances labeled "freak offs," the physical and emotional abuse she said she faced just a few years into their relationship and the violence she allegedly witnessed while with Combs. Explaining why she decided to testify, Ventura Fine told the court, "I can't carry this anymore. I can't carry the shame, the guilt." More: Where to watch the Sean 'Diddy' Combs documentaries on sex-crimes trial, allegations Toward the end of her second day of testimony, Ventura Fine delved into the years following her 2018 breakup from Combs. She said she'd put a $30 million price tag on the rights to a book she'd written about her alleged experiences, a project she'd characterized as an effort to help him understand what he'd put her through. But after he allegedly failed to respond, she sued him in November 2023, alleging he had raped, trafficked, sexually assaulted and physically abused her. The two came to an agreement by the following day and announced Ventura Fine would dismiss the lawsuit following an unspecified settlement. It was finally revealed on May 14 that the settlement amounted to $20 million, paid for by Combs and his companies. 'I understand': Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial juror breaks silence on verdict Diddy's former personal assistant describes alleged rape "Mia," a woman using a pseudonym who worked for Combs from 2009 to 2017, testified on May 29 that Combs sexually assaulted her on "more than one" occasion. While living with Combs at his Beverly Hills mansion from 2010 to 2014, she claimed she lived in a room that couldn't lock. This was where, at one point, Combs raped her as she was asleep in a bottom bunk, Mia told the courtroom through sobs. She said she felt like she couldn't tell him "no" about anything. "I couldn't tell him 'no' about a sandwich," she said. She worried that he would "fire me and ruin my future. I knew his power and his control over me. I didn't want to lose everything I had worked so hard for." OPINION: Diddy verdict got it wrong because we don't recognize what sex trafficking looks like Diddy's ex-girlfriend extensively detailed 'hotel nights' with escorts that could last 3 days "Jane," a woman using a pseudonym who dated Combs on-and-off from 2021 to 2024, tearfully testified about feeling pressured to take drugs, have nonstop sex with escorts and deprioritize her work, for fear of Combs' disapproval and cease financial contributions. She said that "freak offs" would happen every week or every other week for much of their relationship and could last as long as three and a half days. In 2023, Jane said she texted Combs that she was feeling "disgusted with myself" after one night of fun had turned into their entire relationship. She wrote that she didn't "want to lose the roof over my head" or "feel obligated to perform these nights with you." At the time, Jane said Combs was paying her $10,000 rent. Jane sobbed as she described one "hotel night" that happened as they celebrated her birthday in Miami in 2023. What was supposed to be a night for "just me and him" turned into Jane agreeing to have sex with three men consecutively to please Combs, she said. Did Cassie consent to Diddy? When it comes to abuse, there can't be consent. "I just feel like at this point I've done so many of these," she testified. "I just know how to tune it out." Diddy still pays for ex-girlfriend's home Jane testified that Combs paid her $10,000 a month in rent as part of a "love contract" that he proposed between them, and he also got her veneers. "Sean said, let's do a love contract," she said. "He asked me how much allowance I want going forward." There were gasps in the overflow room when Jane was asked who was paying her rent now and she responded, "Sean (Combs)." Combs is also still paying for Jane's lawyer. Cassie's mom said she wired Diddy $20K Regina Ventura, Cassie Ventura Fine's mother, testified that she wired Combs $20,000 when the rapper was threatening to release sex tapes of her daughter. Ventura said the money came back to her four or five days after Combs pushed her to wire it to his company. "He was angry that he spent money on her and that she had been with another person," she said on the stand, going on to add that she sent the money because she "was scared for my daughter's safety." More: Abusive lifestyle vs. a criminal enterprise: Inside the Diddy trial and what the verdict means Evidence in Diddy's trial showed drugs in his hotel room, hundreds of baby oil bottles Throughout the trial, prosecutors released evidence shown to jurors to the public. Pictures taken by federal agents showed the items in Combs' possession up until his September 2024 arrest, which included hundreds of baby oil and lubricant bottles in his Los Angeles and Miami homes – uncovered during Homeland Security raids in March 2024 – as well as drugs found in his hotel room after he was taken into custody. The government also presented photos of damage to a Porsche belonging to Kid Cudi, who testified about his belief that Combs was responsible for a Molotov cocktail that exploded in the car. However, some evidence in the criminal case, including footage of Combs' "freak offs," was off-limits to the public and only shown to jurors due to the graphic nature of the content, which was deemed a privacy violation by the witnesses –Ventura Fine and Jane – who were shown in the videos. Read on to see what prosecutors claimed was evidence of Combs' criminal enterprise. Raid of Diddy's LA home revealed 900 bottles of Astroglide, bags of ketamine On June 13, Andre Lamon from Homeland Security Investigations testified in Combs' criminal trial that he and other agents found 900 bottles of Astroglide, 200 bottles of baby oil and multiple bags of ketamine while raiding Combs' Los Angeles mansion. The jury was shown photos from the March 25, 2024, search through the sprawling is what agents discovered at Combs' multimillion-dollar Holmby Hills home. On her third day of testimony, Ventura Fine also revealed the extent of her and Combs' drug use in their decade together. Combs was once hospitalized due to "a very strong" opiate, she told defense lawyers, revealing the incident occurred around the time Whitney Houston died in February 2012. Raid of Diddy's Miami home found cocaine, guns, sexual enhancement product In the third week of Combs' trial on sex crimes and racketeering, Homeland Security Investigations special agent Gerard Gannon discussed his team's March 2024 raid of Combs' Miami estate. He and fellow agents allegedly found drugs including ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms and heroin, as well as firearms, gun accessories, Johnson's baby oil and Astroglide lubricant. A photo also showed a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement. Diddy's arrest: Baby oil, drugs found in NYC hotel room On May 19, 2025, prosecutors released images of the belongings found in Combs' hotel room after the embattled music mogul was arrested at a New York hotel on Sept. items included baby oil, lubricant, $9,000 in cash, prescription medication and drugs that tested positive for ketamine and MDMA. Diddy's baby oil use was known at his favorite hotels Multiple witnesses' testimony touched on Combs' reported use of baby oil in "freak-offs." On May 22, for example, Frederic Zemmour, the general manager of the L'Ermitage Beverly Hills luxury hotel, walked jurors through logs of Combs' stays at the celebrity-favorite institution. For one of Combs' stays in 2015, the hotel's documents said that the rapper "ALWAYS spills candle wax on everything and uses excessive amounts of oil," and that his room should be placed "out of order upon departure for deep cleaning." The notes also said to "please authorize an extra $1000 when guest stays with us to cover any room damages." A housekeeping note said to "monitor outside his room/down the hall to spray air freshener." Alleged Molotov cocktail tore up the inside of Kid Cudi's Porsche Kid Cudi took the stand on May 22 to reveal Combs allegedly broke into his home in December 2011 after finding out Cudi was romantically involved with Ventura Fine. When the "Pursuit of Happiness" musician arrived at his house, he noticed no one was inside but some of his belongings were in disarray. Cudi said he received a call in January 2012 that his car was on fire, and jurors were shown photos of the destroyed vehicle. He later confronted Combs in a meeting, asking, "What about my vehicle?" to which Combs allegedly responded, "What vehicle?" Combs' team has repeatedly denied his involvement in the incident. While cross-examining Los Angeles law enforcement officials on May 28, the defense cast doubt on Combs' role by emphasizing police found a potential hit for female DNA on the bottle used in the car explosion. Contributing: Gina Barton, Aysha Bagchi, Josh Meyer, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY staff If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Diddy's two-charge acquittal: Letters to the Editor — June 5, 2025
The Issue: Sean 'Diddy' Combs being acquitted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Sean Combs may have been acquitted of the most serious charges, but that doesn't mean he isn't a degenerate ('Making of a hip-hop martyr,' Kirsten Fleming, July 3). Instead of using his fame and money to make a difference and enrich the lives of others, Combs wielded his power to demean women with predatory behavior that bordered on inhumane. There are no winners in this trial. All it did was showcase how an individual with power and influence, but lacking any real humanity, used people in a bad manner and got away with it. Michael D'Auria Bronxville Those people who predict that Diddy's career will suffer as a result of the trial obviously have not seen the crowd of morons outside the courthouse cheering his 'victory.' He is now a social-justice icon to some, and he will continue to prosper. The government's attempt to score an attention-grabbing victory was an utter failure, a true O.J. Simpson moment. Please do not waste any more of our tax money on prosecutions of celebrities who are above the law. Robert Mangi Garden City Now that Combs has been found guilty of prostitution, the big question is how much a pardon from President Trump will cost him. Even though he was only found guilty on the lesser charges, this pardon would still be costly, but Combs has the money. Kreg Ramone Manhattan Diddy is a very powerful person. Even if he does time, it won't make a difference in his operations and power. The fact is that the operation he was responsible for will continue and prosper because everyone involved knows that they will not suffer any consequences. The corruption runs very deep. Unfortunately, we the public pay the price for this unbelievable immoral debauchery. Jean Cole Juno Beach, Fla. In 1991, Combs promoted a concert at City College which killed nine people in a stampede because Combs oversold the concert tickets. Combs was never charged. Now he sits brooding in the Metropolitan Correctional Center, as his lawyers spew garbage about the lack of opportunity for black people. I believe O.J. murdered Nicole Simpson and Ronald Brown and got away with it by playing the race card. Combs contemptuously continues that tradition. Ron Spurga Manhattan The Issue: The New York City Pride March banning LGBT police offers from participating in uniform. The leaders of the Pride March refused to let gay NYPD officers march in their parade with their uniforms and their firearms on, but as soon as there was a problem when someone was shot and assaulted, who came to help ('The Shame of Pride,' Editorial, July 2)? Everybody had better wake up, because when you are in a bad situation, the only help is the NYPD. Without them, imagine what more could have happened. John Wilde Massapequa Park I've marched in New York City Pride for years. It's one of the most moving, joyful days of the year — full of love, defiance and belonging. But this year, as I cheered for floats and families, drag queens and dancers, I couldn't shake the bitter truth that some of our own were missing: LGBTQIA+ officers were banned from marching in uniform. I get the history — I really do. Law enforcement has caused deep, lasting harm to our community. But Pride was born from protest and from the belief that we all deserve to live and love out loud. It's appalling that queer officers — people who risk their lives for this city every day — are allowed to guard the parade but not walk in it. L.C. Walton Manhattan Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
