Latest news with #WestCoastTrialLawyers
Business Insider
05-07-2025
- 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.
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Perth Now
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial branded ‘total failure' of justice system
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial has been branded a 'total failure' of the justice system. The 55-year-old rapper said nothing as his mixed verdict was read on Wednesday (0.07.25) after spending nearly a year behind bars before he heard a jury acquit him of racketeering and sex trafficking charges that could have resulted in a life sentence. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers, and who has been following the case since the beginning spoke to The U.S. Sun about the outcome. He said: 'Today's verdict is nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution in what will go down as the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.' The trial, held at a Manhattan federal courtroom, concluded on Wednesday with Combs — known professionally as Diddy — found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Each count carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years, with no mandatory minimum. The charges stemmed from a September 2024 arrest, after which Combs was denied bail multiple times and has remained in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. Rahmani, 45, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers and a former federal prosecutor, also told The U.S. Sun: 'Even though the Mann Act carries a potential 10-year maximum sentence, Diddy is going to get time served or close to it. His sentencing guideline range may be as low as 15–21 months.' He added: 'The jury has spoken and prosecutors in the prestigious Southern District of New York should take this very embarrassing loss and move on.' In a letter obtained by The U.S. Sun, prosecutors wrote to Judge Arun Subramanian following the verdict, noting a preliminary sentencing range of 51 to 63 months. They added 'the Government has not had adequate time to carefully consider all potentially applicable Guidelines provisions.' Rahmani said the prosecution failed to secure cooperation from Combs' inner circle, including figures identified only as KK and D-ROC, and called the sex trafficking charges 'weak,' citing jury exposure to 'evidence of consent.' John Day, a 49-year-old criminal defence attorney based in New Mexico, also criticised the case. 'They presented a tsunami of evidence against Diddy over many weeks, and the jurors did not buy their story,' he told The U.S. Sun. He added: 'The government was trying to convince the jury that RICO — which was designed to go after the Mafia and mob organised crime families — should be applied to baby oil and Diddy's high-flying lifestyle in the music business, and the jury just was not convinced.' John added: 'In retrospect, the prosecutors aimed too high with the RICO charges. He's likely to get some time in federal prison — maybe more than three or five years, but not the full 20 years he's facing after convictions on the two counts.' Rosie O'Donnell, 62, was among the celebrities expressing anger after the verdict. In a post on Instagram, she said: 'I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion – wow – they just think women stay because what? Money – fame – 'they love the abuse' – what a f****** joke – this decision got me angry #cassie.' Prosecutors did not call any of the civil plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against Combs but did not have direct relationships with him. Witnesses who testified included former girlfriends and employees. One such witness, referred to as Jane, testified under an alias. Combs' legal team, in a letter to Judge Subramanian, argued he is not a flight risk and has been a model inmate. 'Reasonable conditions would ensure he would not have the ability to arrange to meet with escorts in the future,' the letter stated. The defence further asserted 'the jury unambiguously rejected the government's allegations that Mr Combs ran a years-long criminal enterprise or engaged in sex trafficking – the core of the government's case.'
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Perth Now
Sean Combs fell to his knees as trial verdict was read out
Sean 'Diddy' Combs fell to his knees in a Manhattan courtroom as his trial verdict was read out, with legal experts calling the prosecution's case 'a complete and total failure'. The 55-year-old music mogul was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution – charges each carrying a maximum 10-year sentence but no mandatory minimum. The jury acquitted Combs of the most serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking, following a seven-week trial. The racketeering charge alone had carried the possibility of a life sentence. Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has remained in custody since, with several bail requests denied. His legal team has argued for his release ahead of sentencing, which is now pending a judge's decision. While Combs and his family celebrated the partial acquittal, prosecutors are expected to oppose bail, citing legal grounds that detention is mandatory after conviction on such federal charges. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, spoke to The U.S. Sun following the outcome. He said: 'Today's verdict is nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution in what will go down as the most expensive prostitution trial in American history. 'Even though the Mann Act carries a potential 10-year maximum sentence, Diddy is going to get time served or close to it. His sentencing guideline range may be as low as 15–21 months.' Prosecutors acknowledged in a letter to Judge Subramanian, obtained by The U.S. Sun, that the guideline sentence may range from 51 to 63 months. Combs has already served nine months. The letter noted: 'The Government has not had adequate time to carefully consider all potentially applicable Guidelines provisions.' Rahmani said the sex trafficking charges were undermined by 'evidence of consent' and added: 'The prosecution's only real chance of a victory was racketeering and to prove a non-sex related predicate act like kidnapping, arson, extortion, or bribery. They failed to lean on and flip key members of Diddy's inner circle like KK and D-ROC.' He also noted none of the alleged sexual assault victims who have filed civil suits against Combs and who had no professional or romantic ties to him were called to testify. New Mexico-based criminal defence attorney John W. Day also spoke to The U.S. Sun, saying: 'They presented a tsunami of evidence against Diddy over many weeks, and the jurors did not buy their story. The government was trying to convince the jury that RICO — which was designed to go after the Mafia and mob organised crime families — should be applied to baby oil and Diddy's high-flying lifestyle in the music business, and the jury just was not convinced.' He added: 'The prosecutors believed that Cassie Ventura and Jane — the girlfriend who testified under an alias — would tell a story of victimisation that the jury would feel empathy for, but they most likely just saw these witnesses as willing participants in the glamorous world of Diddy.' Actor Rosie O'Donnell wrote on Instagram following the verdict: 'I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion — wow — they just think women stay because what? money — fame — 'they love the abuse' — what a f****** joke — this decision got me angry #cassie.' Combs' legal team submitted a letter to Judge Subramanian outlining why he should be released from custody. They argued he is not a flight risk, has appeared at all hearings, and has behaved as a 'model inmate'. The defence added 'reasonable conditions would ensure' he would not have the opportunity to arrange to meet with escorts. They also wrote: 'The jury unambiguously rejected the government's allegations that Mr. Combs ran a years-long criminal enterprise or engaged in sex trafficking — the core of the government's case.'
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Diddy may only get TIME SERVED after disastrous prosecution in most expensive prostitution case in history, says lawyer
SEAN 'DIDDY' Combs' criminal case has been blasted as a 'total failure' for the prosecution and he will likely only get time served or a few years, legal experts believe. The rap music mogul 6 Sean 'Diddy' Combs reacts to the verdicts of the five counts against him in this courtroom sketch Credit: Reuters 6 Supporters of Sean Combs rejoice after a jury acquitted Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking and found him guilty on lesser transportation charges in New York Credit: EPA 6 Sean 'Diddy' Combs attends the GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons honoring him on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills Credit: Getty The jury decided to only convict of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution , which each carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence and no minimum. He has been acquitted of racketeering conspiracy, which carried a life sentence, and two counts of sex trafficking, the most serious crimes. Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has been behind bars ever since after multiple requests for bail were denied. While the star and his family celebrate, his accusers will not after a grueling seven-week trial including harrowing testimony from over 30 witnesses, including his former girlfriends and employees. Sean Combs A judge will decide whether or not he will be granted bail late on Wednesday, July 2. However, prosecutors look set to argue that detention is mandatory following a conviction of this kind. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers, who has been following the case since the beginning spoke to The U.S. Sun about the outcome. He said, "Today's verdict is nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution in what will go down as the most expensive prostitution trial in American history. Most read in Entertainment "Even though the Mann Act carries a potential 10-year maximum sentence, Diddy is going to get time served or close to it. His sentencing guideline range may be as low as 15-21 months. The government made several fatal self-induced errors." Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers "The jury has spoken and prosecutors in the prestigious Southern District of New York should take this very embarrassing loss and move on." Count 1 : Racketeering conspiracy - Not Guilty Count 2 : Sex trafficking of Not Guilty Count 3 : Sex trafficking of "Jane" - Not Guilty Count 4 : Transportation to engage in prostitution (Cassandra Ventura) - Guilty Count 5 : Transportation to engage in prostitution ("Jane) - Guilty The U.S. Sun obtained a letter from the prosecution sent to Judge Arun Subramanian following the verdict on Wednesday. They say the guideline sentence for him is just 51 to 63 months [five and a half years maximum], and he has already been behind bars for nine months. It reads, "The Government notes, however, that the Guidelines applicable at sentencing may be higher than this preliminary calculation. Explosive new Diddy mansion pics reveal star's shelves stacked with baby oil & vast weapons arsenal "The Government has not had adequate time to carefully consider all potentially applicable Guidelines provisions." He believes that the sex trafficking charges appeared weak because of the "evidence of consent" the jury was told throughout the trial. "The prosecution's only real chance of a victory was racketeering and to prove a non-sex related predicate act like kidnapping, arson, extortion, or bribery," Rahmani continued. "The fact that the jury even rejected that argument shows the many flaws in the prosecution's case. "They failed to lean on and flip key members of Diddy's inner circle like KK and D-ROC." The prosecution also didn't call any of the alleged sexual assault victims who have filed civil lawsuits against Combs, who did not have a romantic or professional relationship with him. Many celebrities who showed the alleged victims support throughout the trial have expressed their disappointment at the outcome of the trial. Rosie O'Donnell shared on Instagram on Wednesday, "I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion - wow - they just think women stay because what? money - fame - 'they love the abuse' - what a fucking joke - this decision got me angry #cassie." New Mexico-based criminal defense attorney John W. Day also told The U.S. Sun he felt the verdict was a "major loss for the prosecutors." He said, "They presented a tsunami of evidence against Diddy over many weeks, and the jurors did not buy their story. "The government was trying to convince the jury that RICO — which was designed to go after the Mafia and mob organized crime families — should be applied to baby oil and Diddy's high-flying lifestyle in the music business, and the jury just was not convinced. "The prosecutors believed that Cassie Ventura and Jane — the girlfriend who testified under an alias — would tell a story of victimization that the jury would feel empathy for, but they most likely just saw these witnesses as willing participants in the glamorous world of Diddy. "In retrospect, the prosecutors aimed too high with the RICO charges. "He's likely to get some time in federal prison — maybe more than three or five years, but not the full 20 years he's facing after convictions on the two counts. "At the end of the day, the prosecutors need a black box, like we have in airplanes to tell us what went wrong after a crash, to find out what failed with their case." Combs' legal team has written a letter, obtained by The U.S. Sun, to Judge Subramanian outlining the reasons why they say he should be released from custody. They argue he is not a flight risk and has been a model inmate and shown up to all court hearings, adding that "reasonable conditions would ensure" he would not have the ability to arrange to meet with escorts in the future. His defense also says the jury "unambiguously rejected the government's allegations that Mr. Combs ran a years-long criminal enterprise or engaged in sex trafficking - the core of the government's case." 6 Sean Combs could soon be a free man after beating the most serious charges in the indictment this week Credit: Getty 6 Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean Combs appear at the MET Gala in New York in 2015 Credit: AP 6 The embattled music mogul fell to his knees in court after the verdict was read out Credit: Reuters
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Diddy may only get TIME SERVED after disastrous prosecution in most expensive prostitution case in history, says lawyer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEAN 'DIDDY' Combs' criminal case has been blasted as a 'total failure' for the prosecution and he will likely only get time served or a few years, legal experts believe. The rap music mogul fell to his knees on Wednesday when the verdict was read out in a Manhattan courtroom. 6 Sean 'Diddy' Combs reacts to the verdicts of the five counts against him in this courtroom sketch Credit: Reuters 6 Supporters of Sean Combs rejoice after a jury acquitted Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking and found him guilty on lesser transportation charges in New York Credit: EPA 6 Sean 'Diddy' Combs attends the GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons honoring him on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills Credit: Getty The jury decided to only convict Combs of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, which each carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence and no minimum. He has been acquitted of racketeering conspiracy, which carried a life sentence, and two counts of sex trafficking, the most serious crimes. Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has been behind bars ever since after multiple requests for bail were denied. While the star and his family celebrate, his accusers will not after a grueling seven-week trial including harrowing testimony from over 30 witnesses, including his former girlfriends and employees. Sean Combs diddy bombshell Sean Combs accused of rape & abuse by ex Cassie as rapper denies claims A judge will decide whether or not he will be granted bail late on Wednesday, July 2. However, prosecutors look set to argue that detention is mandatory following a conviction of this kind. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers, who has been following the case since the beginning spoke to The U.S. Sun about the outcome. He said, "Today's verdict is nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution in what will go down as the most expensive prostitution trial in American history. "Even though the Mann Act carries a potential 10-year maximum sentence, Diddy is going to get time served or close to it. His sentencing guideline range may be as low as 15-21 months. The government made several fatal self-induced errors." Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers "The jury has spoken and prosecutors in the prestigious Southern District of New York should take this very embarrassing loss and move on." Count 1 : Racketeering conspiracy - Not Guilty : Racketeering conspiracy - Count 2 : Sex trafficking of Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura - Not Guilty : Sex trafficking of Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura - Count 3 : Sex trafficking of "Jane" - Not Guilty : Sex trafficking of "Jane" - Count 4 : Transportation to engage in prostitution (Cassandra Ventura) - Guilty : Transportation to engage in prostitution (Cassandra Ventura) - Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution ("Jane) - Guilty The U.S. Sun obtained a letter from the prosecution sent to Judge Arun Subramanian following the verdict on Wednesday. They say the guideline sentence for him is just 51 to 63 months [five and a half years maximum], and he has already been behind bars for nine months. It reads, "The Government notes, however, that the Guidelines applicable at sentencing may be higher than this preliminary calculation. Explosive new Diddy mansion pics reveal star's shelves stacked with baby oil & vast weapons arsenal "The Government has not had adequate time to carefully consider all potentially applicable Guidelines provisions." He believes that the sex trafficking charges appeared weak because of the "evidence of consent" the jury was told throughout the trial. "The prosecution's only real chance of a victory was racketeering and to prove a non-sex related predicate act like kidnapping, arson, extortion, or bribery," Rahmani continued. "The fact that the jury even rejected that argument shows the many flaws in the prosecution's case. "They failed to lean on and flip key members of Diddy's inner circle like KK and D-ROC." The prosecution also didn't call any of the alleged sexual assault victims who have filed civil lawsuits against Combs, who did not have a romantic or professional relationship with him. Many celebrities who showed the alleged victims support throughout the trial have expressed their disappointment at the outcome of the trial. Rosie O'Donnell shared on Instagram on Wednesday, "I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion - wow - they just think women stay because what? money - fame - 'they love the abuse' - what a fucking joke - this decision got me angry #cassie." New Mexico-based criminal defense attorney John W. Day also told The U.S. Sun he felt the verdict was a "major loss for the prosecutors." He said, "They presented a tsunami of evidence against Diddy over many weeks, and the jurors did not buy their story. "The government was trying to convince the jury that RICO — which was designed to go after the Mafia and mob organized crime families — should be applied to baby oil and Diddy's high-flying lifestyle in the music business, and the jury just was not convinced. "The prosecutors believed that Cassie Ventura and Jane — the girlfriend who testified under an alias — would tell a story of victimization that the jury would feel empathy for, but they most likely just saw these witnesses as willing participants in the glamorous world of Diddy. "In retrospect, the prosecutors aimed too high with the RICO charges. "He's likely to get some time in federal prison — maybe more than three or five years, but not the full 20 years he's facing after convictions on the two counts. "At the end of the day, the prosecutors need a black box, like we have in airplanes to tell us what went wrong after a crash, to find out what failed with their case." Combs' legal team has written a letter, obtained by The U.S. Sun, to Judge Subramanian outlining the reasons why they say he should be released from custody. They argue he is not a flight risk and has been a model inmate and shown up to all court hearings, adding that "reasonable conditions would ensure" he would not have the ability to arrange to meet with escorts in the future. His defense also says the jury "unambiguously rejected the government's allegations that Mr. Combs ran a years-long criminal enterprise or engaged in sex trafficking - the core of the government's case." 6 Sean Combs could soon be a free man after beating the most serious charges in the indictment this week Credit: Getty 6 Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean Combs appear at the MET Gala in New York in 2015 Credit: AP
