The Sean 'Diddy' Combs story - From recording studio to criminal trial
1996
Under the name 'Puff Daddy', Combs releases his first solo album, titled "No Way Out," which later wins a Grammy Award for best rap album.
1999
Combs pleads guilty in New York state court to harassment for attacking another rapper's manager and is sentenced to one day of anger management class.
Several months later, Combs is charged with weapons offences over a shooting at a club in New York's Times Square but is acquitted at trial.
2001
A Detroit radio host sues Combs for assault, claiming the rap mogul's associates roughed him up and destroyed an interview tape.
Combs denies wrongdoing and is ultimately cleared by a jury.
2003
A former business partner sues Combs for allegedly threatening him with a baseball bat.
Combs denies the allegations, and the case is dismissed after an appeals court finds the statute of limitations had expired.
2008
Combs privately settles a lawsuit by a man who claimed the mogul punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub.
2015
Combs is arrested for aggravated assault after an argument with his son's football coach in Los Angeles.
The charges are later dropped.
2017
Combs' former personal chef sues the mogul for sexual harassment and retaliation.
The case is settled for an undisclosed amount two years later
16 November 2023
Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura sues Combs in New York federal court for rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse.
They settle the case for $20 million a day later.
17 May 2024
CNN releases footage purporting to show Combs violently assaulting Ventura at a hotel in Los Angeles on 5 March 2016.
19 May 2024
Combs posts an apology video for the Ventura incident, saying he is "truly sorry" for his "inexcusable" actions.
14 October 2024
Combs is accused of assault in six new civil lawsuits filed by an attorney who said he was representing 120 people who accused Combs of abuse.
16 September 2024
Combs is arrested in New York and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution.
He pleads not guilty the following day, and a judge denies him bail.
4 April 2025
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan file an expanded indictment charging Combs with five criminal counts. Combs pleads not guilty two weeks later.
5 May 2025
Combs' trial begins with jury selection before US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court.
24 June 2025
Prosecutors rest their case after six weeks of testimony.
The defence calls no witnesses of its own, but shows jurors text messages between Combs and Ventura.
2 July 2025
Combs found guilty of prostitution-related offenses, acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.
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The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How $10m case against Diddy collapsed after prosecutors got greedy in botched attempt to treat ‘freak' like a mob boss
SEAN "Diddy" Combs spent 10 months behind bars as he waited to hear his fate inside a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday. Many believed the disgraced music mogul was set to get life in prison over racketeering and sex trafficking charges but when the glee . Advertisement 8 Sean 'Diddy' Combs escaped three of the five most serious charges Credit: Getty 8 Combs fell to his knees after he was acquitted of his most serious charges on Wednesday Credit: Reuters 8 Combs punched the air in glee as the verdicts were read out Credit: Reuters He managed to escape the most serious charges as he was acquitted on the worst cases after the $10million case against him proved unsuccessful. The New York jury did find the Bad Boy rapper, 55, guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. But with each count carrying just a His final sentence is yet to be announced but he is likely to Advertisement Read more in Sean Combs As arguably the trial of the century kicked off earlier this year many had thought Combs had next to no chance of getting off so lightly. The majority of federal cases end in a conviction and with "freak off" revelations, baby oil hauls and disturbing claims all being made public at trial the case seemed simple to most. But as the final judgments were made and Combs mouthed to his family he'll be "home soon", questions emerged around how he escaped a severe punishment. Many now believe the fault lies with the prosecution for aiming too high with their charges. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive Exclusive They lobbied for a complicated racketeering case that is typically reserved for the most high profile mob bosses. The burden of proof needed to convict a criminal on such charges will always be tough to reach due to the repercussions of life behind bars. Diddy's $61.5m mansion where feds seized 1,000 bottles of baby oil during raid lies silent in new pics as trial starts- And as the prosecution scrambled to keep the music producer locked up with a myriad of witnesses and claims, the defence simply played down the seriousness of Combs' crimes. Combs' defence had always remained firm in their admission of some form of guilt from the very start of the trial. Advertisement His lawyer Teny Geragos made an extraordinary admission in her opening statement in court. She described Combs as a domestic abuser with a vicious temper. One of the most shocking pieces of evidence was presented right at the start of the trial. Combs' assault on ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at the InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles presented a damning case. Advertisement He was seen kicking her on the ground in vile CCTV footage which even Geragos labelled 'indefensible, horrible, dehumanising and violent'. But it did little to help the prosecution prove Combs was the ringleader of a sex trafficking operation. 8 Combs' teams of Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos ,managed to get their client off on the most serious charges Credit: Reuters 8 Supporters hugged each other outside the New York City courthouse after the decision was made Credit: EPA Advertisement 8 Combs with ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura who played a pivotal role in the prosecution's case Credit: Getty As Geragos put it on the first day: "It is evidence of domestic violence. "But it is not evidence of sex trafficking." As the trial continued, the defence remained adamant that all the pieces of evidence were simply painting a picture of a disturbed individual rather than a calculated criminal. Advertisement Marc Agnifilo, the mogul's attorney, even said in his eyes Combs was simply living a "swinger's lifestyle". They even managed to twist some of the trial's key pieces of information to benefit their main argument. When images of the countless bottles of baby oil and sexual lubricant were shown in court after a raid on Comb's home Agnifilo remarked that there is nothing illegal about owning such a stash. Another key defensive point was around consent. Advertisement In order to get a guilty verdict over sex trafficking under US law , a person must have used force, fraud, or coercion in order to traffic a victim for sexual explosion purposes. So for Combs to be found guilty on both charges, the prosecution had to prove both Cassie and second victim known as "Jane" did not give their consent. They had attempted to say Combs compelled both women to take part in orgies through the threats of violence and financial manipulation. Will Diddy go to prison and how much time could he get? By Senior News Reporter, Forrest McFarland SEAN "Diddy" Combs' future still hangs in the balance as the court continues to argue whether he should walk free after dodging his most serious federal charges. After seven weeks of emotional testimony, a jury Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation for purposes of prostitution, and each charge has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. However, legal experts have warned that he shouldn't celebrate too soon, as they speculate that the rapper will likely have to spend some time behind bars. "He's looking at 15 plus years under the sentencing guideline on each count, and he gets a multiplier for multiple victims," former federal prosecutor David Weinstein told 'The judge can run them consecutive, and he might, with an additional multiplying factor, find himself bumping up against 10 on each count. 'So, for people to say or think that he's going to get credit time served and walk out of here, I think that's a pipe dream for the defense.' In a submission made after the verdict was announced, Diddy's defense argued that a prison term of 21 to 27 months would be reasonable, and pointed out that he's already served 10 months. But prosecutors believe that he should be punished with a minimum of 51 to 63 months behind bars because of aggravating circumstances, like claims that Diddy was physically abusive. But Mr Agnifilo said the women always had the chance to leave. Advertisement Speaking on Cassie after she bravely took to the stand while pregnant, the attorney stated: "No one's forcing her to do this. "She's a woman who actually likes sex – good for her." For a racketeering conspiracy charge to stick, prosecutors needed to show Combs had knowing co-conspirators. It was argued that he co-opted his loyal employees - including chief of staff, Kristina Khorram. Advertisement Several names of alleged accomplices cropped up across the trial but the prosecution never subpoenaed them. Due to them not being called as a witness or ever being questioned, this may have confused the jury and contributed to them finding Combs not guilty. Michael Bachner, a New York-based criminal defence lawyer and former District Attorney, told He said: "There was evidence of people helping him, but I think it was still a stretch for them to prove that this was part of some concerted conspiracy to do it as opposed to just telling people what to do. Advertisement "It just didn't smell like a RICO case to a lot of people, so that's what I think the government's problem was with it." Mr Agnifilo repeated his bashing of the prosecution as he labelled the case as a "badly, badly exaggerated story" during closing arguments. Another major issue was due to Cassie and Jane both being long term partners of Combs. Tony Buzbee, a US lawyer familiar with Combs' case, said the nature of the relationships may have been a major issue for the jury. Advertisement He said: "I think the jury struggled with the difficult issue of consent and more broadly whether Mr Combs's conduct appropriately fit within the racketeering statute." 8 Combs beating his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in hotel footage from 2016 Credit: Reuters 8 It is still unclear how long Combs will face behind bars Credit: AP
RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail following conviction on prostitution offences
Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of prostitution-related offences but cleared of more serious charges, in a blow to prosecutors who had urged a jury to find him guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Combs was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking, a partial win for the man known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. After the jury read its verdict, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian to release Combs on bail, which prosecutors opposed. Judge Subramanian had asked lawyers for both sides to submit written arguments on whether he should release Combs, but he later denied bail. The verdict followed a criminal trial in which two of the music mogul's former girlfriends testified that he physically and sexually abused them. Combs faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Judge Subramanian will determine Combs' sentence at a later date. The acquittals on the sex trafficking counts mean he will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. He could have faced life in prison if he were convicted on sex trafficking or racketeering conspiracy. After the judge dismissed the jury and lawyers for both sides, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery. "I'm gonna be home soon," he said, smiling and clasping his hands. "I love you. Thank you, I love you." Combs' family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers. Prosecutors say Combs for two decades used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched. During raids of Combs' homes, authorities found drugs and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant that he would use in the performances, prosecutors said. Combs, 55, had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. His lawyers acknowledged that the Bad Boy Records founder, once famed for hosting lavish parties in places like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, was at times violent in his domestic relationships. But they said the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual. The seven-week trial in Manhattan federal court exposed the inner workings of Combs' business empire and gave the 12-member jury an intimate look into his volatile romantic relationships with the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym 'Jane'. Ms Ventura sued Combs in November 2023 for sex trafficking, the first of dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Combs, also known throughout his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy and once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, settled with Ms Ventura for $20 million. He has denied all wrongdoing. At the trial, jurors saw surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs kicking and dragging Ms Ventura in the hallway of an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles, where she said she was trying to leave a "Freak Off." Jane later testified that Combs in June 2024 attacked her and directed her to perform oral sex on a male entertainer, even though she told him she did not want to. That alleged attack took place a month after Combs apologised on social media for his 2016 attack of Ms Ventura, footage of which had been broadcast on CNN. According to prosecutors, physical violence was just one way Combs compelled Ms Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances - an act of coercion they say amounts to sex trafficking because the male escorts were paid. Both women testified that he threatened to withhold financial support and to leak sexually explicit images of them if they refused to comply. "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on 26 June. "He doesn't take no for an answer." Combs' defence lawyers argued that while Combs may have committed domestic violence in the context of volatile romantic partnerships, his conduct did not amount to sex trafficking. They argued that Ms Ventura and Jane were strong, independent women who voluntarily took part in the sexual performances because they wanted to please Combs. Both women testified they spent time with Combs and took part in sexual performances after he beat them. Defence lawyers argued that Ms Ventura and Jane were retrospectively accusing Combs of forcing their participation in the performances because they were jealous he was seeing other women. "If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn't all be here," Combs' defence lawyer said in his closing argument on 27 June. "He did not do the things he's charged with." Besides Ms Ventura and Jane, jurors also heard testimony from Combs' former personal assistants who said their jobs included setting up hotel rooms for "Freak Offs" and buying their boss drugs. An InterContinental security guard testified that Combs, in the presence of his chief of staff, paid him $100,000 to hand over what he thought was the only copy of the surveillance tape of his attack on Ms Ventura. And Scott Mescudi, the rapper known as Kid Cudi, told jurors Combs was likely involved in an arson on his car after Combs found out he was romantically involved with Ms Ventura. According to prosecutors, those were all acts Combs and his associates undertook in furtherance of a racketeering conspiracy whose aim was, in part, to facilitate his abuse and keep evidence of his wrongdoing under wraps. The defence argued Combs was a successful entrepreneur who used drugs recreationally, but kept his professional and personal lives separate.
RTÉ News
21 hours ago
- RTÉ News
The Sean 'Diddy' Combs story - From recording studio to criminal trial
1993 1996 Under the name 'Puff Daddy', Combs releases his first solo album, titled "No Way Out," which later wins a Grammy Award for best rap album. 1999 Combs pleads guilty in New York state court to harassment for attacking another rapper's manager and is sentenced to one day of anger management class. Several months later, Combs is charged with weapons offences over a shooting at a club in New York's Times Square but is acquitted at trial. 2001 A Detroit radio host sues Combs for assault, claiming the rap mogul's associates roughed him up and destroyed an interview tape. Combs denies wrongdoing and is ultimately cleared by a jury. 2003 A former business partner sues Combs for allegedly threatening him with a baseball bat. Combs denies the allegations, and the case is dismissed after an appeals court finds the statute of limitations had expired. 2008 Combs privately settles a lawsuit by a man who claimed the mogul punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub. 2015 Combs is arrested for aggravated assault after an argument with his son's football coach in Los Angeles. The charges are later dropped. 2017 Combs' former personal chef sues the mogul for sexual harassment and retaliation. The case is settled for an undisclosed amount two years later 16 November 2023 Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura sues Combs in New York federal court for rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse. They settle the case for $20 million a day later. 17 May 2024 CNN releases footage purporting to show Combs violently assaulting Ventura at a hotel in Los Angeles on 5 March 2016. 19 May 2024 Combs posts an apology video for the Ventura incident, saying he is "truly sorry" for his "inexcusable" actions. 14 October 2024 Combs is accused of assault in six new civil lawsuits filed by an attorney who said he was representing 120 people who accused Combs of abuse. 16 September 2024 Combs is arrested in New York and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution. He pleads not guilty the following day, and a judge denies him bail. 4 April 2025 Federal prosecutors in Manhattan file an expanded indictment charging Combs with five criminal counts. Combs pleads not guilty two weeks later. 5 May 2025 Combs' trial begins with jury selection before US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court. 24 June 2025 Prosecutors rest their case after six weeks of testimony. The defence calls no witnesses of its own, but shows jurors text messages between Combs and Ventura. 2 July 2025 Combs found guilty of prostitution-related offenses, acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.
