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NDTV
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
A Timeline Of The Rise Of Sean 'Diddy' Combs And His Legal Troubles
For more than two decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was one of hip-hop's most nimble entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show. Then he was charged with forcing, threatening and manipulating two ex-girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons, with assistance from a network of associates. Combs denied the allegations and went to trial in a high-stakes federal sex crimes and racketeering case. The trial ended Wednesday with a verdict that his attorneys called a victory: Combs was convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted of higher-level charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Here is a timeline of major events in his life story: 1990-1999 1990: Combs, then a student at Howard University, gets his start in the music business with an internship at Uptown Records in New York. Dec. 28, 1991: Nine people die at a celebrity basketball game promoted by Combs and the rapper Heavy D when thousands of fans try to get into a gym at the City College of New York. A mayoral report lays part of the blame for the catastrophe on poor planning by Combs. 1992: Combs is one of the executive producers on Mary J. Blige's debut album, "What's the 411?" 1993: After being fired by Uptown, Combs establishes his own label, Bad Boy, which quickly cuts a lucrative deal with Arista Records. 1994: Bad Boy releases Notorious B.I.G.'s album "Ready to Die." Two months later, Tupac Shakur survives a shooting in New York and accuses Combs and Biggie of having prior knowledge of the attack, which they deny. Shakur was later killed in a 1996 shooting in Las Vegas. 1996: Combs is convicted of criminal mischief after he allegedly threatened a photographer with a gun. 1997: Biggie is killed in Los Angeles. Combs, then known as Puff Daddy, releases "I'll be Missing You" in honor of his dead star. 1998: Combs wins two Grammys, one for best rap album for his debut "No Way Out" and another for best rap performance by a duo or group for "I'll Be Missing You" with Faith Evans. Also that year, Combs' Sean John fashion line is founded. April 16, 1999: Combs and his bodyguards are charged with attacking Interscope Records music executive Steve Stoute in his New York office in a dispute over a music video. Combs is sentenced to an anger management course. Dec. 27, 1999: Combs is arrested on gun possession charges after he and his girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Lopez, fled a shooting that wounded three people at a New York City nightclub. Some witnesses tell police Combs was among the people shooting in the club. He is later charged with offering his driver $50,000 to claim ownership of the 9 mm handgun found in his car. 2001-2008 March 17, 2001: Combs is acquitted of all charges related to the nightclub shooting. One of his rap protégés, Jamal "Shyne" Barrow, is convicted in the shooting and serves nearly nine years in prison. Two weeks after the trial, Combs announces he wants to be known as P. Diddy. (Barrow also later changed his name, to Moses Barrow, and became a parliamentarian in his native Belize). 2002: Combs becomes the producer and star of "Making the Band," a talent search TV show. Feb. 1, 2004: Combs performs at the Super Bowl halftime show along with Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and others. A week later, Combs, Nelly and Murphy Lee win a Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group for "Shake Ya Tailfeather." April 2004: Combs makes his Broadway acting debut in "A Raisin in the Sun." 2005: Combs announces he is changing his stage name to Diddy, getting rid of the P. March 2008: Combs settles a lawsuit brought by a man who claims Combs punched him after a post-Oscar party outside a Hollywood hotel the previous year. In May, Combs is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 2015-2022 2015: Combs is arrested after a confrontation on the campus of UCLA, where one of his sons played football. Assault charges are later dropped. 2016: Combs launches a Harlem charter school, the Capital Preparatory School. Also that year, he announces he is donating $1 million to Howard University. 2017: Combs is named the top earner on Forbes' list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities, which says he brought in $130 million in a single year. 2018: Kim Porter, Combs' former girlfriend and the mother of three of his children, dies from pneumonia at age 47. 2022: Combs receives a lifetime honor at the BET Awards. 2023-2025 Sept. 15, 2023: Combs releases "The Love Album - Off the Grid," his first solo studio project since 2006's chart-topping "Press Play." Nov. 16, 2023: R&B singer Cassie sues Combs, alleging that during their decade-plus as a couple, he subjected her to abuse, including beatings and rape. A day later, the lawsuit is settled under undisclosed terms. Combs, through his attorney, denies the accusations. Nov. 23, 2023: Two more women accuse Combs of sexual abuse in lawsuits. Combs' attorneys call the allegations false. Dozens of additional lawsuits follow by women and men who accuse Combs of rape, sexual assault and other attacks. Plaintiffs include singer Dawn Richard, a "Making the Band" contestant who alleged years of psychological and physical abuse. Combs denies all the allegations. March 25, 2024: Federal agents search Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida. May 17, 2024: CNN airs video that shows Combs attacking and beating Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Two days later, Combs posts videos on social media apologizing for the assault. Sept. 16, 2024: Combs is arrested at his Manhattan hotel. A federal sex trafficking and racketeering indictment unsealed the next day accuses him of using his business empire to coerce women into participating in sexual performances. Combs denies the allegations. His attorney calls it an unjust prosecution of an "imperfect person." May 5, 2025: Jury selection begins for Combs' trial. May 12, 2025: A jury is selected and testimony begins in Combs' trial. June 30, 2025: Jury deliberations begin in Combs' trial. July 2, 2025: The jury convicts Combs of two counts of a prostitution-related offense but acquits him of higher-level charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. The outcome significantly reduces the rap mogul's potential prison sentence, which a judge will determine in the months to come. His lawyers unsuccessfully ask for him to be released on bond in the meantime. Combs is visibly relieved by the verdict, and his lead lawyer calls it "a victory of all victories."
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
A timeline of the rise of Sean ‘Diddy' Combs and his legal troubles
For more than two decades, Sean 'Diddy' Combs was one of hip-hop's most nimble entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show. Then he was charged with forcing, threatening and manipulating two ex-girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons, with assistance from a network of associates. Combs denied the allegations and went to trial in a high-stakes federal sex crimes and racketeering case. The trial ended Wednesday with a verdict that his attorneys called a victory: Combs was convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted of higher-level charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Here is a timeline of major events in his life story: 1990-1999 1990: Combs, then a student at Howard University, gets his start in the music business with an internship at Uptown Records in New York. Dec. 28, 1991: Nine people die at a celebrity basketball game promoted by Combs and the rapper Heavy D when thousands of fans try to get into a gym at the City College of New York. A mayoral report lays part of the blame for the catastrophe on poor planning by Combs. 1992: Combs is one of the executive producers on Mary J. Blige's debut album, 'What's the 411?' 1993: After being fired by Uptown, Combs establishes his own label, Bad Boy, which quickly cuts a lucrative deal with Arista Records. 1994: Bad Boy releases Notorious B.I.G.'s album 'Ready to Die.' Two months later, Tupac Shakur survives a shooting in New York and accuses Combs and Biggie of having prior knowledge of the attack, which they deny. Shakur was later killed in a 1996 shooting in Las Vegas. 1996: Combs is convicted of criminal mischief after he allegedly threatened a photographer with a gun. 1997: Biggie is killed in Los Angeles. Combs, then known as Puff Daddy, releases 'I'll be Missing You' in honor of his dead star. 1998: Combs wins two Grammys, one for best rap album for his debut 'No Way Out' and another for best rap performance by a duo or group for 'I'll Be Missing You' with Faith Evans. Also that year, Combs' Sean John fashion line is founded. April 16, 1999: Combs and his bodyguards are charged with attacking Interscope Records music executive Steve Stoute in his New York office in a dispute over a music video. Combs is sentenced to an anger management course. Dec. 27, 1999: Combs is arrested on gun possession charges after he and his girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Lopez, fled a shooting that wounded three people at a New York City nightclub. Some witnesses tell police Combs was among the people shooting in the club. He is later charged with offering his driver $50,000 to claim ownership of the 9 mm handgun found in his car. 2001-2008 March 17, 2001: Combs is acquitted of all charges related to the nightclub shooting. One of his rap protégés, Jamal 'Shyne' Barrow, is convicted in the shooting and serves nearly nine years in prison. Two weeks after the trial, Combs announces he wants to be known as P. Diddy. (Barrow also later changed his name, to Moses Barrow, and became a parliamentarian in his native Belize). 2002: Combs becomes the producer and star of 'Making the Band,' a talent search TV show. Feb. 1, 2004: Combs performs at the Super Bowl halftime show along with Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and others. A week later, Combs, Nelly and Murphy Lee win a Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group for 'Shake Ya Tailfeather.' April 2004: Combs makes his Broadway acting debut in 'A Raisin in the Sun.' 2005: Combs announces he is changing his stage name to Diddy, getting rid of the P. March 2008: Combs settles a lawsuit brought by a man who claims Combs punched him after a post-Oscar party outside a Hollywood hotel the previous year. In May, Combs is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 2015-2022 2015: Combs is arrested after a confrontation on the campus of UCLA, where one of his sons played football. Assault charges are later dropped. 2016: Combs launches a Harlem charter school, the Capital Preparatory School. Also that year, he announces he is donating $1 million to Howard University. 2017: Combs is named the top earner on Forbes' list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities, which says he brought in $130 million in a single year. 2018: Kim Porter, Combs' former girlfriend and the mother of three of his children, dies from pneumonia at age 47. 2022: Combs receives a lifetime honor at the BET Awards. 2023-2025 Sept. 15, 2023: Combs releases 'The Love Album — Off the Grid,' his first solo studio project since 2006's chart-topping 'Press Play.' Nov. 16, 2023: R&B singer Cassie sues Combs, alleging that during their decade-plus as a couple, he subjected her to abuse, including beatings and rape. A day later, the lawsuit is settled under undisclosed terms. Combs, through his attorney, denies the accusations. Nov. 23, 2023: Two more women accuse Combs of sexual abuse in lawsuits. Combs' attorneys call the allegations false. Dozens of additional lawsuits follow by women and men who accuse Combs of rape, sexual assault and other attacks. Plaintiffs include singer Dawn Richard, a 'Making the Band' contestant who alleged years of psychological and physical abuse. Combs denies all the allegations. March 25, 2024: Federal agents search Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida. May 17, 2024: CNN airs video that shows Combs attacking and beating Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Two days later, Combs posts videos on social media apologizing for the assault. Sept. 16, 2024: Combs is arrested at his Manhattan hotel. A federal sex trafficking and racketeering indictment unsealed the next day accuses him of using his business empire to coerce women into participating in sexual performances. Combs denies the allegations. His attorney calls it an unjust prosecution of an 'imperfect person.' May 5, 2025: Jury selection begins for Combs' trial. May 12, 2025: A jury is selected and testimony begins in Combs' trial. June 30, 2025: Jury deliberations begin in Combs' trial. July 2, 2025: The jury convicts Combs of two counts of a prostitution-related offense but acquits him of higher-level charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. The outcome significantly reduces the rap mogul's potential prison sentence, which a judge will determine in the months to come. His lawyers unsuccessfully ask for him to be released on bond in the meantime. Combs is visibly relieved by the verdict, and his lead lawyer calls it 'a victory of all victories.'
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Who is Sean ‘Diddy' Combs, acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges
US rapper and music producer Sean 'Diddy' Combs was on Wednesday (July 2) acquitted of the serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, but convicted of transportation for prostitution to participate in his 'freak-offs', or drug-fuelled sex parties. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, but may ultimately serve a shorter prison term. He has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, since his arrest last September. However, Judge Arun Subramaniam ordered Combs to remain in detention until his sentencing. While the judge proposed October 3 as a sentencing date, Combs' lawyers have sought an expedited schedule and will meet again on July 8, the BBC reported. Combs was accused of heading a criminal enterprise with some of his closest employees, who allegedly used threats, coercive tactics, outright violence, bribery and other crimes to force his ex-girlfriend Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura, and a woman identified as 'Jane', to participate in his 'freak-offs' with male escorts. His lawyers claimed that the sexual acts were consensual, that Combs' accusers were suing him for financial gain, and that he stood to be disadvantaged by the media trial given his public status. Music producer who enjoyed the limelight Sean Combs is a music mogul who dominated the hip-hop scene in the 1990s and 2000s, and is credited with helping bring it to the mainstream today. The 56-year-old rapper was reportedly nicknamed 'Puff' as a child as he would 'huff and puff' while throwing a tantrum. His first single, 'Can't Nobody Hold Me Down,' was released in the aftermath of the killing of the famous rapper, The Notorious B.I.G. It stayed at Number 1 for six weeks, raising anticipation for the associated album. Titled 'No Way Out,' it debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned him Grammy wins for 'Best Rap Album' and 'Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group'. Combs is credited with launching musicians like Usher and Mary J Blige through his record label, Bad Boy Records. As a rapper and producer, he has used the stage names Puff Daddy, P Diddy and Diddy over the decades, and collaborated with artists like Nelly, Jennifer Lopez, Drake, Lil Kim, Pharrell and The Weeknd to chart-topping success. In 2008, he became the first male rapper to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also ventured into other businesses, like fashion, vodka and television, to amass a portfolio valued by Forbes at $1 billion in 2022. His clothing line Sean John, launched in 1998, enjoyed critical and commercial success, which a 2023 GQ article valued at $525 million in annual sales. Combs once famously likened himself to Jay Gatsby, the protagonist of the 1925 novel 'The Great Gatsby', who was known for hosting extravagant parties and rose from poverty to become incredibly wealthy. Combs hosted parties that were attended by the wealthy and influential, featuring guests such as Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Donald Trump, Salman Rushdie and Leonardo DiCaprio. The so-called 'White Parties' featured a white dress code for all in attendance, and were coveted by artists and businesspeople alike who sought to mingle. The parties also helped to boost Combs' personal profile. His former publicist, Rob Shuter, told the BBC that Combs was obsessed with power and desired fame. 'He was just figuring out that how he could get the most attention was to become the party king of New York,' Shuter said. 'The reason he was such a superstar is because all he thinks about is Diddy. From the minute he wakes up until the minute he goes to bed.' Combs had several run-ins with the law over the years. In 1999, he was first charged with assault for beating up a music producer, a case that was dropped following a public apology. He was allegedly involved in a public altercation and a shootout in a nightclub with his then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez. In the resulting case, he was cleared of charges of gun possession and bribery, but his protege, Jamal 'Shyne' Barrow, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault, gun possession and reckless endangerment. Barrow, who was deported to Belize at the end of his term, alleged in April 2024 that he was the 'fall guy' and had taken the blame to keep Combs out of jail. While several women anonymously accused Combs of sexual assault and coercion over the years, he was able to settle these cases outside court. All that changed when his ex-girlfriend, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, sued him in November 2023. Ventura's lawsuit alleged among other things, rape, sexual assault, sex trafficking, sexual battery and human trafficking. It accused him of physically assaulting her and coercing her into drug-induced sexual encounters with hired men. Having met him as a 19-year-old in 2005, she alleged that he exerted complete control over her life and decisions for the next decade. Combs allegedly resorted to multiple intimidation tactics, even blowing up the car of the man she dated while the two were on a break. Combs denied all the allegations and settled the lawsuit out of court for $20 million the very next day. However, in May 2024, CNN released a graphic hotel surveillance video from 2016, which showed Combs stopping Cassie from leaving the premises by physically overpowering and even kicking her. A day later, Combs offered a public apology. Following Cassie's testimony, two more women stepped forward in November 2023 to accuse Combs of rape, with one survivor reportedly aged 17 at the time of her encounter, The New York Times reported. Two more women came forward in May and September 2024, accusing him of sustained sexual abuse and physical violence for years. Ventura was the star witness in the federal case brought against him last year, which presented him as the bigwig at the helm of a racketeering conspiracy using a changing set of staff to help him commit crimes. The case relied on accounts by Ventura and 'Jane' of forced sex under the influence of drugs in hotels countrywide. These accounts recounted the extensive use of party drugs like MDMA or Ecstasy. Both women claimed that Combs directed the women to use baby oil and engage in sex with the escorts, while he watched. Credence to these claims was lent by the recovery of 200 bottles of the oil from Combs' Los Angeles home in March 2024 by federal investigators from Homeland Security. The NYT reported that jurors saw video clips of the sexual encounters, while they remain hidden from the public eye. Combs' legal team claimed that the federal case, alleging sex trafficking and racketeering, was an overreach, while they acknowledged the domestic violence against Ventura. 'Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,' Combs' attorney Teny Geragos argued in May.
RTÉ News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 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.
Mint
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs' rise and fall: From founding Bad Boy Records to conviction for prostitution
Hip-hop artist Sean 'Diddy' Combs, founder of Bad Boy Records, was convicted of prostitution-related charges but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two sex trafficking counts on Wednesday. Over the years, Combs has often hit the headlines for his role in the music industry and allegations of violence and sexual assault. Check out the timeline of the Combs from being a key figure in the music industry to landing in legal trouble, according to a report by the news agency Reuters. 1993 - Combs founded his record label, Bad Boy Records, and signed rapper Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G), from their previous label. - Combs founded his record label, Bad Boy Records, and signed rapper Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G), from their previous label. 1996 - Combs released his first solo album, named 'No Way Out' with the title 'Puff Daddy.' No Way Out won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. 1999 - Combs was found guilty of attacking the manager of another rapper and sentenced to one day of anger management class. He later faced weapon charges in connection with a shooting at a club in Times Square, New York, but was acquitted. - Combs was found guilty of attacking the manager of another rapper and sentenced to one day of anger management class. He later faced weapon charges in connection with a shooting at a club in Times Square, New York, but was acquitted. 2001 - A case was filed against the hip-hop artist by a Detroit radio host for assault, stating that Combs' associates threatened him and damaged an interview tape. These allegations were denied by Combs, and the jury also cleared the charges against him. - A case was filed against the hip-hop artist by a Detroit radio host for assault, stating that Combs' associates threatened him and damaged an interview tape. These allegations were denied by Combs, and the jury also cleared the charges against him. 2003 - Another case was filed against Combs by a former business partner for allegedly threatening with a baseball bat. He refused these allegations, and the case was dismissed after an appeals court found that the statute of limitations had expired. 2008 - The hip-hop mogul privately reached a settlement with a man who alleged that the mogul punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub. - The hip-hop mogul privately reached a settlement with a man who alleged that the mogul punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub. 2015 - Combs was arrested for assault following a dispute with his son's football coach in Los Angeles, but the charges were dropped later. - Combs was arrested for assault following a dispute with his son's football coach in Los Angeles, but the charges were dropped later. 2017 - The former personal chef of Combs sued him for sexual harassment. The case was settled two years later for an undisclosed amount. - The former personal chef of Combs sued him for sexual harassment. The case was settled two years later for an undisclosed amount. November 16, 2023 - Cassie Ventura, Combs former girlfriend filed a case against him in New York federal court alleging rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse. This case was settled a day later for $20 million. - Cassie Ventura, Combs former girlfriend filed a case against him in New York federal court alleging rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse. This case was settled a day later for $20 million. May 17, 2024 - Footage of Combs reportedly assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel on March 5, 2016, was released by CNN. - Footage of Combs reportedly assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel on March 5, 2016, was released by CNN. May 19, 2024—Two days later, Combs posted an apology video for the Ventura incident, stating that he is "truly sorry" for his "inexcusable" actions. October 14, 2024 - Six new civil lawsuits accuse Combs of assault, with an attorney representing 120 alleged victims. - Six new civil lawsuits accuse Combs of assault, with an attorney representing 120 alleged victims. September 16, 2024 - Combs was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution. He was arrested in New York. The hip-hop artist pleaded not guilty the next day; however, his bail was denied by the judge. - Combs was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution. He was arrested in New York. The hip-hop artist pleaded not guilty the next day; however, his bail was denied by the judge. April 4, 2025 - Federal prosecutors in Manhattan filed an expanded indictment charging Combs with five criminal counts. Two weeks later, Combs pleads not guilty. - Federal prosecutors in Manhattan filed an expanded indictment charging Combs with five criminal counts. Two weeks later, Combs pleads not guilty. May 5, 2025 - The trial starts with jury selection in front of US District Judge Arun Subramanian at Manhattan federal court. - The trial starts with jury selection in front of US District Judge Arun Subramanian at Manhattan federal court. June 24, 2025 - Prosecutors conclude their case after six weeks of testimony. The defence opts not to call any witnesses but presents text messages exchanged between Combs and Ventura. - Prosecutors conclude their case after six weeks of testimony. The defence opts not to call any witnesses but presents text messages exchanged between Combs and Ventura. July 2, 2025 -Combs was found guilty of prostitution-related charges but was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two sex trafficking charges. (With inputs from Reuters)
