Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for violating the Mann Act after a trial that exposed years of abuse and coercion.
Musician and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for transporting people across state lines for sexual encounters, marking a dramatic fall for one of hip-hop’s most prominent figures.
The 55-year-old mogul was also fined $500,000 at Friday’s sentencing in Manhattan federal court. Having already served a year in custody, he is expected to be released in about three years.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian told Combs, “Why did it happen so long? Because you had the power and the resources to keep it going, and because you weren’t caught.”
Convicted in July under the federal Mann Act, Combs was found guilty of organizing drug-fueled sexual encounters involving girlfriends and male sex workers. He was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have carried a life sentence.
In court, Combs called his past actions “disgusting, shameful” and apologised to those he harmed. Prosecutors argued his crimes were driven by control rather than money.
His trial featured testimony from women, including ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who described years of abuse and coercion.