Diddy Appeals Prostitution Conviction, Seeks Release as Lawyers Call Sentence Unconstitutional

Diddy Appeals Prostitution Conviction, Seeks Release as Lawyers Call Sentence Unconstitutional

Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has asked a US appeals court to overturn his conviction on two prostitution-related charges and order his release from prison, describing his 50-month sentence as unlawful and unconstitutional.

In a filing seeking an expedited appeal before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Combs’ attorney, Alexandra Shapiro, argued that the rapper was improperly sentenced and that the conduct leading to his conviction was not criminal in nature. She described the punishment as “unlawful, unconstitutional, and a perversion of justice.”

The defence urged the appellate court to either throw out the conviction entirely or, alternatively, order a resentencing if it declines to vacate the verdict. The appeal marks the latest effort by Combs’ legal team to reduce his prison term or overturn the conviction.

The Southern District of New York, which prosecuted the case, declined to comment on the appeal request.

Combs was convicted earlier this year following a high-profile federal trial in New York, where prosecutors accused him of using his money, fame, and power—as well as threats of violence—to coerce women into unwanted sexual encounters.

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During the trial, jurors heard testimony from two of Combs’ former partners, Cassie Ventura and another woman identified as “Jane Doe.” Both alleged abuse and said Combs forced them to take part in so-called “freak-offs” involving male escorts.

While the jury acquitted Combs of the most serious charges—racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking—it found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, offences prosecuted under the Mann Act, an anti-prostitution statute.

After the conviction, Combs unsuccessfully asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian to grant an acquittal or order a new trial, arguing that the Mann Act was improperly applied. Ahead of sentencing, his lawyers sought a sentence equivalent to time served, which would have allowed for his immediate release, while prosecutors pushed for a minimum of 11 years in prison.

Judge Subramanian ultimately sentenced Combs to more than four years behind bars, saying that while he considered the rapper’s charitable works and testimonials, “a history of good works can’t wash away your record.”

In the appeal filing, Combs’ lawyers argued that the judge failed to properly follow federal sentencing guidelines, improperly relied on conduct for which Combs had been acquitted, and effectively “acted as a thirteenth juror.” The sentence was described as “draconian.”

Before sentencing, Combs apologised in court to Ventura and Jane Doe, calling his actions “disgusting, shameful, and sick,” and admitting he had been consumed by excess and ego.

Beyond the criminal case, Combs is facing dozens of civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault, rape, and sexual exploitation. Several suits claim he used his celebrity status to intimidate victims into silence, with some alleging that people were drugged at parties before assaults.

Representatives for Combs have consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that he “never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone.”

Diddy Appeals Prostitution Conviction, Seeks Release as Lawyers Call Sentence Unconstitutional

BBC