A United States federal judge has denied bail to American rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, even after he was cleared of the most serious charges in his sex trafficking trial.
Diddy was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking by a jury on Wednesday, but was convicted for transporting people across state lines for prostitution. Despite the partial victory, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that Combs must remain in custody until his sentencing, which is expected to take place on October 3.
The judge said his decision was based on Combs’ record of violence. He also cited the rapper’s admission of past abuse, including a video showing him dragging his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, through a hotel hallway in 2016.
“The defence conceded violence in his personal relationship,” the judge said while rejecting the bail application.
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, had asked the court to trust his client, claiming the 54-year-old posed no risk of fleeing. He said Combs had joined a domestic violence programme before his arrest and had not been violent since 2018. “I just think we should trust him,” Agnifilo told the court.
But Ventura, now eight months pregnant, told the court in a letter that releasing Combs would endanger her and others. Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, said, “Ms Ventura believes that Mr Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community.”
During the trial, which lasted nearly two months in a New York court, prosecutors painted a dark picture of Combs’ private life. They said he used his celebrity status and his business empire to run a network that lured and exploited women.
The court heard from over 30 witnesses, including Ventura, rapper Kid Cudi, former employees, and hotel workers. They accused Combs of organising what they called “freak-offs” where women were forced to sleep with male escorts while he watched.
Prosecutors also said Combs tried to cover his tracks, including offering bribes to hotel staff to delete security footage of him assaulting Ventura.
Although he was cleared of racketeering — which could have meant life imprisonment — Combs still faces up to 20 years in prison for the conviction on transporting for prostitution.
As the verdict was read out, Combs fell to his knees, put his face into his chair, and appeared to be praying.
Aside from the criminal case, Combs is also facing several civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual assault and abuse. His legal troubles continue to draw national attention, especially given his long history in music, fashion, and entertainment.
Combs is currently being held at a federal jail in Brooklyn, where he has been since September last year.
