Bad Boy Records mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was found not guilty this morning (July 2) on the three most serious of the five criminal charges filed against him last year involving sex trafficking and racketeering, but he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
A sentencing date has yet to be set. Combs, who previously pled not guilty to all charges, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on the prostitution counts.
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The verdict came after a lurid, eight-week trial involving testimony from Combs’ former partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, that he abused and assaulted her over a decade-plus period. The jury was shown a 2016 security camera video of Combs beating Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway after she attempted to flee one of his sex-fueled “freak-off” parties.
“This entire criminal process started when our client had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,” Ventura’s attorney Douglas H. Wigdor said. “Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”
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