Diddy Trial: A look at music mogul Sean Combs' enormous business empire and wealth. Here's how he still earns
Impact on Business Ventures
Fallout After Assault Video
Loss of Liquor Business Stakes
Live Events
Current Status of Bad Boy Records
Public Support from Family
Previous Music Contributions and Shows
Risk to Combs' Wealth
Streaming Music Performance
Sean John and Empower Global Decline
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs, the well-known music producer and entrepreneur, was acquitted of federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges. However, he was convicted of prostitution offenses. These legal outcomes have impacted his business interests and public image. Combs now awaits sentencing while many of his ventures face uncertainty or decline.A federal court cleared Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. He was found guilty of prostitution offenses. The charges stemmed from allegations of transporting individuals across state lines for paid sexual activity. Prosecutors said this violated the federal Mann Act. Combs remains in custody awaiting sentencing. His bail request has also been denied.Before his arrest, Combs began stepping back from his ventures. He left Revolt TV , a network he helped launch in 2013. The channel focused on hip-hop, R&B, and social issues. His planned Hulu reality series was cancelled. Sean John, his fashion brand, disappeared from Macy's. These were early signs of his business empire unraveling.A video from 2016 showed Combs assaulting singer Cassie, his former girlfriend. After it surfaced, multiple institutions took action. New York City revoked his ceremonial key. Peloton removed his music from its platform. Howard University took back his honorary degree. His Harlem charter school also ended its connection with him.In a 2023 legal settlement, Combs ended a dispute with spirits company Diageo. As a result, Diageo gained full ownership of the Ciroc and DeLeón brands. These were previously linked to Combs' business portfolio. Though he exited the alcohol business, he retained rights to his music catalog — for now.Bad Boy Records, the label Combs founded, continues to operate but faces challenges. In 2023, Combs released 'The Love Album: Off the Grid,' his first solo album in nearly 20 years. It and Janelle Monáe's album, released under Bad Boy, received Grammy nominations. No new major releases have been announced since.King Combs, Sean Combs' son, released a surprise EP with Ye (formerly Kanye West). The project, titled 'Never Stop,' was released under Goodfellas Entertainment. The release appeared to show support for Combs amid ongoing legal issues.Bad Boy Records backed artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Ma$e, and 112. The label remained active through 2022 and supported Machine Gun Kelly's 'Mainstream Sellout.' Combs was also involved in MTV shows like 'Making the Band,' which helped launch acts like Danity Kane and Day 26.Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Combs, including one settled with Cassie for $20 million. Many cases remain open. Prosecutors have said they might ask the court to seize Combs' assets if used in illegal acts. It is unclear what the final decision on asset forfeiture will be.Combs' music remains on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. From April to May 2025, his US streaming numbers rose 20%, tied to moments in the trial. In June, streams dropped slightly by 5 to 10%. Despite visibility, revenue from streaming remains low for most artists.Sean John, his fashion label launched in 1998, has gone quiet. It is no longer available at major stores like Macy's. Empower Global, his online marketplace for Black-owned brands, launched in 2023. It started with 70 brands but saw several leave due to weak performance and Combs' legal troubles.It is unclear. Prosecutors may seek asset forfeiture, but the court has not confirmed whether this will be part of his sentence.Yes. His catalog is on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. No major streaming platform has removed or restricted access to his music.
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Mint
16 minutes ago
- Mint
'He will be able to sleep well,' says Sean Diddy Combs lawyer after rapper acquitted of sex trafficking charges
Washington, DC [US], July 3 (ANI): After music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges following a high-profile federal trial in New York City, his attorney has spoken out about the verdict, reported E! News. Combs was found guilty of prostitution-related offences but acquitted of his sex trafficking and racketeering charges on July 2. His attorney, Anna Estevao, called the verdict a "huge win" for the music mogul even as he was denied bail, according to E! News. "He was acquitted of sex trafficking, acquitted of RICO conspiracy," she said outside a Manhattan courtroom, adding, "He will be able to sleep well at night knowing that," as per the outlet. Combs' verdict comes after two months of courtroom testimonies from witnesses from his past, including the 55-year-old ex, Cassie Ventura, according to E! News. The split verdict was announced on Wednesday. Combs has been convicted on "two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and could face up to 20 years in prison if he is sentenced to consecutive maximum prison terms." If he had been found guilty of sex trafficking or racketeering, he could have spent the rest of his life behind bars. Combs' legal team said the government failed to prove the major charges. The trial, which began in May, lasted several weeks and included testimony from 34 witnesses. One of them was Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, Combs' former partner of 11 years. She testified while nearly nine months pregnant and spoke in detail about alleged abuse and "Freak Offs" -- which prosecutors described as forced sex events involving male sex workers. Kid Cudi also offered his testimony in Diddy's trial, accusing the Grammy winner of breaking into his home and blowing up his car with a Molotov cocktail in retribution for his brief romance with Ventura in 2012. Meanwhile, though Combs has been acquitted on the most serious counts, the music mogul's legal troubles are far from over, as he still faces several dozen lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct. (ANI)
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Diddy found guilty under Mann Act, acquitted of trafficking: Breaking down the verdict; rapper's link to Beyoncé, JLo & other A-list pals
Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was found guilty on two federal charges but cleared of the most serious accusations in his high-profile sex trafficking and racketeering trial in New York. The verdict, delivered on July 2, 2025, concludes a months-long legal saga that has seen Combs fall from one of music's most influential figures to a disgraced industry heavyweight facing prison time. The case stems from explosive allegations made in 2023 and 2024 involving forced sexual encounters, drug use, and abuse of power. Diddy found guilty of violating the Mann Act for transporting individuals for sex work The jury convicted Combs on two counts of violating the Mann Act, a federal law that prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for purposes of prostitution. These charges focused on incidents where Combs allegedly arranged for both women and male sex workers to travel to private parties and studio gatherings under false pretences. Prosecutors claimed the 'freak-offs', as Combs reportedly called them, involved coercion, drug use, and manipulation through financial dependency. Although these are not trafficking charges per se, they carry weighty penalties, with each count punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing guidelines suggest Combs could face at least 4–5 years unless the judge imposes consecutive terms. Acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges Despite the convictions, the jury found Combs not guilty on three of the five original charges, including the most serious ones. These include racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, which could have resulted in a life sentence. The prosecution's attempt to prove Combs operated a criminal enterprise using his music empire as a front for sexual exploitation was ultimately rejected by jurors. Notably, Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking charges specifically tied to his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and a pseudonymous accuser referred to as 'Jane'. The verdict reflected the jury's decision that while misconduct may have occurred, it did not rise to the level of organised trafficking. Cassie, Jane, and others: Multiple women have accused Combs of sexual abuse and violence The trial brought renewed attention to a long list of allegations against Combs, many of which predate his arrest. Cassie Ventura, who filed a bombshell lawsuit in late 2023 accusing Combs of rape, abuse, and forced sexual acts, was among the most prominent figures to testify. She alleged she was groomed and exploited during their relationship. Cassie testified against Diddy in explosive court appearance| Credit: X (@kina_kaye) Another woman, known in court as 'Jane', shared a similar story, alleging she was trafficked and filmed without consent. Over a dozen individuals, many of whom remain anonymous, have accused Combs of sexual assault, drugging, or coercion over the last two decades. Though not all testimonies resulted in charges, prosecutors used their stories to show a pattern of behaviour. From Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Jennifer Lopez, Diddy's high-profile celeb ties Since his legal troubles began, many of Combs's high-profile connections have remained quiet, while a few have defended him. His legal team, including Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, maintained throughout the trial that Combs was the victim of a smear campaign. Justin Bieber Diddy & Bieber's complicated connection under the spotlight| Credit: X (PopFactions) Diddy played a mentor-like role early in Justin Bieber's career, reportedly gifting him his first Lamborghini and introducing him to elite industry circles. While they were once close, Bieber has remained silent amid Diddy's legal troubles. Jay-Z and Beyoncé Jay-Z and Beyoncé reportedly attended Diddy's infamous 'freak-offs'| Credit: X(PopBase) Jay-Z and Diddy long presented a united front as two of hip-hop's most powerful moguls, often appearing together at Roc Nation events. Beyoncé, who has attended several Diddy-hosted galas, has not publicly addressed the case. Although Jay-Z was dragged into a lawsuit against Diddy last December, the charges were dropped later, and since then, both Jay-Z and Bey have kept their distance in recent months. Jennifer Lopez Diddy and JLo were once an iconic couple| Credit: X (@ArmaLite15OU812) and Diddy were a power couple in the late '90s before their relationship ended following a nightclub shooting scandal in 1999. She has never publicly revisited the relationship in detail, and since the recent allegations, she's made no comment and appears to be fully removed from any association. Ashton Kutcher Ashton Kutcher was reportedly another A-lister who regularly attended Diddy's parties| Credit: X (@Prolotario1) Kutcher and Diddy shared mutual circles during the early 2000s, especially around the Hollywood club scene and high-profile parties. Once considered close friends, Kutcher has previously praised Diddy's business acumen in interviews but has had no visible association with him in over a decade. Leonardo DiCaprio Leonardo DiCaprio was once spotted at Diddy's "white parties"| Credit: X (LeoDiCaprio) Diddy and DiCaprio were frequently spotted at the same elite parties, including Cannes and Miami Art Basel events, often surrounded by models and industry insiders. While their connection was more social than personal, DiCaprio has denied his connection to the music mogul after allegations against the Bad Boy Records founder sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Diddy was denied bail following the trial verdict Diddy has been in federal custody since September 2024, when he was arrested by U.S. Marshals following raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. He has remained behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn throughout the trial. Diddy was arrested in September 2024 on multiple federal charges| Credit: X)@PopFactions) Following the July 2 guilty verdict, Combs's legal team requested a $1 million bail package, citing his ties to the community and lack of prior convictions. However, Judge Ellen Landry denied the request, arguing that the nature of the crimes and risk of witness intimidation justified continued detention. Sentencing is scheduled for early October 2025. If given consecutive terms, Combs could remain incarcerated until the mid-2030s.
The Hindu
42 minutes ago
- The Hindu
The Sean ‘Diddy' Combs story - From recording studio to criminal trial: Timeline
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, the hip-hop mogul who discovered the Notorious B.I.G. and ran one of the genre's most iconic record labels, was found guilty on Wednesday (June 2, 2025) of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act. But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fuelled sex marathons with the men. Here is a timeline of his career and legal troubles:
