Court Orders 50 Months in Prison and 5 Years of Probation
Sean Diddy Combs, the American hip-hop producer and rapper better known as Puff Daddy, who is considered a leading figure in the U.S. hip-hop industry, has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison on charges of prostitution.
According to Yonhap News on October 4, citing the New York Times and the Associated Press, Judge Arun Subramanian of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York sentenced Combs to 50 months in prison and five years of probation.
Rapper and producer Sean Diddy Combs arrived at the New York State Supreme Court in New York City on February 29, 2000 (local time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News
Judge Subramanian stated, "A severe sentence is necessary to send a message to both perpetrators and victims that there will be real accountability for exploitation and violence against women." However, he added, "I also took into consideration that Combs is a self-made artist and entrepreneur who has brought innovation and inspiration to communities worldwide, including communities of color."
Judge Subramanian also rejected the defense's argument that Combs was "merely a common purchaser of sex," strongly pointing out, "You are not simply a purchaser of sex; you organized these acts with money." He further criticized Combs' ongoing violent behavior, referencing an incident in which Combs assaulted a woman even after the launch of a federal investigation last year.
In July, a jury found Combs guilty on two counts of 'transportation for prostitution.' Of the five charges brought by prosecutors, he was acquitted on two counts of coercing prostitution and one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering.
"Disgusting, Shameful, and Pathological"
Video of hip-hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs assaulting his girlfriend released by CNN. Photo by AP Yonhap News
The charges of transportation for prostitution, for which he was found guilty and sentenced to prison, are related to his organization of so-called 'Freak Offs' sex parties, where he arranged travel for his girlfriends and hired men for sexual encounters.
This charge is based on the Mann Act, enacted in 1910, which punishes those who transport women across state lines for prostitution, lewd acts, or other immoral purposes.
During his 12-minute final statement in court, Combs pleaded for leniency from the judge, describing his actions as "disgusting, shameful, and pathological."
Combs said, "I beg Your Honor for mercy," adding, "No matter what anyone says, I sincerely regret everything I have done."
He also wept, covering his face with his hands and trembling, as his defense team played an 11-minute documentary-style video portraying him as a philanthropist and inspirational leader.
Better known by his stage names 'Puff Daddy' and 'Diddy,' Combs established Bad Boy Records in the late 1990s, becoming a representative figure of East Coast hip-hop in the United States. He later expanded his business into clothing, alcohol, and media, becoming a billionaire. However, in recent years, he became embroiled in a series of civil lawsuits related to sexual assault and prostitution, and his downfall began when a video emerged in 2016 showing him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway.
The New York Times described the verdict as "a shocking fate for a man who once stood at the pinnacle of the music industry and leveraged his fame in fashion, media, and branding."
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