Diddy Found Guilty of Transporting Escorts for Sex Sessions but Cleared of More Serious Charges
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found guilty of transporting male escorts for sex sessions with former girlfriends but was acquitted of more serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul was accused by prosecutors of abusing and coercing three alleged victims—including his former long-term partner, singer and model Cassie Ventura—as well as committing other crimes such as kidnapping, arson, and blackmail.
Private Videos and Testimonies
During the seven-week trial, jurors were shown videos of so-called “freak-off” sex sessions involving male escorts. These recordings were kept private from the media and the public. A wide range of witnesses testified, including former employees, escorts, hotel staff, and law enforcement officers.
Both Cassie—who was heavily pregnant at the time—and another former girlfriend, referred to as Jane, testified that they were coerced into drug-fueled sex parties, often described as “hotel nights” or “wild king nights,” and endured abuse throughout their relationships with Combs.
The Defence’s Argument
Combs’s defense team acknowledged that the music mogul could be violent, used drugs, and had a volatile temper. They admitted he maintained multiple relationships simultaneously and was “not proud” of some of his actions. However, they strongly argued that all sexual encounters were consensual and did not meet the legal definition of sex trafficking or racketeering.
Despite testimony about flights and hotel bookings for escorts arranged and paid for by Combs across the U.S. and the Caribbean, the jury ultimately convicted him only on the charge of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution.
The “Cassie Hotel Tape”
The allegations against Combs first gained widespread attention in November 2023, when Cassie filed a lawsuit accusing him of coercion, blackmail, and physical abuse during their relationship, which lasted from 2007 to 2018. That lawsuit was settled within 24 hours for $20 million, a figure that became public during the trial.
In May 2024, CNN aired hotel security footage from 2016 showing Combs punching and kicking Cassie and throwing her to the ground. He publicly apologized after the video surfaced, stating, “I was disgusted when I did it.” This footage was also shown to jurors during the trial.
Awaiting Sentencing
Combs, known over the years as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Diddy, was once one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. He founded Bad Boy Records, managed the late Notorious B.I.G., and had hits like I’ll Be Missing You, Come With Me, and Bad Boy for Life. In 2023, he received MTV’s Global Icon Award and was given the key to New York City.
Following his September 2024 arrest, Combs now awaits sentencing and could face up to 10 years in prison. He also remains the subject of several civil lawsuits filed after the criminal charges came to light.
