A federal jury delivered a mixed verdict Wednesday against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, finding him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution while clearing him of more severe sex trafficking and racketeering allegations, Financial Times reported. The closely watched trial in New York concluded after weeks of disturbing testimony that detailed alleged abuse and exploitation within the entertainment industry.
The panel of eight men and four women reached their decision following extensive deliberations over testimony that included graphic accounts from Combs' former longtime partner, Cassie Ventura, who described a violent and abusive relationship that drove her to contemplate suicide, according to the Financial Times. The verdict marked a significant moment in the music industry's reckoning with sexual misconduct allegations.
Supporters of the 55-year-old rapper-entrepreneur erupted in celebration outside the courthouse, with approximately 100 spectators and bloggers gathered near the entrance shouting "free Diddy" as news of the partial acquittal spread. The crowd's reaction highlighted the polarized public opinion surrounding the case against the hip-hop icon.
Central to the prosecution's case was security footage showing Combs wearing only a bath towel while violently assaulting Ventura at a hotel – an incident that even his own legal team characterized as "dehumanising violence," the outlet noted. This evidence became a cornerstone of the government's argument against the music executive.
The indictment against Combs, who during his career's peak socialized with prominent figures including Bill Clinton and Leonardo DiCaprio, encompassed two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, plus one count of racketeering conspiracy. His conviction represents one of the most significant legal reckonings in the music business in recent years.
This case, alongside the 2021 conviction of singer R Kelly, stands among the most prominent confrontations with sexual misconduct allegations in the music industry, which largely avoided scrutiny during Hollywood's #MeToo movement despite widespread reports of abuse and harassment.
Federal prosecutors argued that Combs coerced multiple women into consuming drugs and engaging in sexual acts with hired male escorts during events he termed "freak-offs." The government alleged these activities constituted a criminal enterprise spanning from 2004 to 2024, utilizing his employees and business operations.
The prosecution painted Combs as an influential figure who leveraged his entertainment industry power to silence women through intimidation, while providing them with substances including ketamine and ecstasy and offering financial incentives and career opportunities for their silence, according to the Financial Times. Prosecutors claimed he recorded these sexual encounters as "collateral" for future manipulation.
Combs maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, with his legal team arguing the sexual activities were consensual and represented a "swinger's lifestyle." His defense attorneys contended that while evidence existed of domestic violence, such behavior did not constitute sex trafficking.
Combs, widely recognized for bringing hip-hop into mainstream culture during the 1990s and 2000s, established Bad Boy Records in 1993 through a partnership with Arista Records. He earned three Grammy awards and achieved commercial success with "I'll Be Missing You," a tribute to rapper Notorious B.I.G. following his murder in a drive-by shooting.
Combs gained recognition primarily for his promotional abilities and showmanship, with his celebrity status eventually overshadowing his musical career as he expanded into ventures including clothing and alcohol businesses. His brand became synonymous with luxury and success in entertainment circles.
As recently as 2022, Combs continued receiving industry recognition, with Paramount's BET channel presenting him with a "lifetime achievement" award. This trajectory changed dramatically when Ventura filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023 alleging rape and sexual assault, which settled within 24 hours but encouraged other accusers to come forward.
Combs faced arrest last September following charges from the Manhattan US attorney's office related to sex trafficking, with FBI agents conducting raids on his Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles residences, seizing narcotics and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, the Financial Times reported. He has remained detained at a Brooklyn jail facility throughout the legal proceedings.
