A federal jury in Manhattan on Wednesday acquitted hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking charges while convicting him on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.
Several legal experts and advocates for sexual violence prevention expressed frustration following the mixed verdict, such as Douglas Wigdor, the attorney who represented Casandra Ventura, who told Newsweek the case showed that “change is long overdue,” adding that his team would “continue to fight on behalf of survivors.” Dani Pinter of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said the organization is “disappointed” that Combs was not found guilty of sex trafficking despite what she described as “overwhelming” evidence.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, however, told Newsweek that the verdict “is nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution in what will go down as the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.”
Why It Matters
The jury deliberated for more than 13 hours over three days after an eight-week trial at a federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The prosecution rested its case on June 24, having called 34 witnesses. The defense called no witnesses.
Combs is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each transportation to engage in prostitution conviction.
Before the case even moved forward, Combs faced public backlash and lost several deals over the allegations. Hulu canceled production of a reality series about Combs and his family, and Howard University rescinded his honorary degree, returning his $1 million donation and ending a scholarship program in his name.
Following the verdict, the public reaction was mixed, with many calling out the jury for not finding him guilty of sex trafficking, and others celebrating the decision.
What To Know
A jury on Wednesday found Combs guilty on two counts related to the transportation of individuals for prostitution but acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges involving Ventura and a woman identified as “Jane.”
Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/AP Images
Combs is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each transportation to engage in prostitution conviction. The defense requested he be released on $1 million bond, while the prosecution argued for him to remain incarcerated.
In the courtroom, he was joined by his mother and children. Many individuals in the overflow room applauded after the jury announced that they found Combs not guilty on three charges. Supporters of Combs celebrated outside the courthouse following the verdict.
Following the jury’s decision, several experts have reacted to the mixed verdict.
What People Are Saying
Neama Rahmani, president of the firm West Coast Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles, told Newsweek in an email Wednesday: “Today’s verdict is nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution in what will go down as the most expensive prostitution trial in American history. The jury didn’t believe any of the victims…The sex trafficking charges were weak because of the overwhelming evidence of consent. The prosecution’s only real chance of a victory was racketeering and to prove a non-sex related predicate act like kidnapping, arson, extortion, or bribery. The fact that the jury even rejected that argument shows the many flaws in the prosecution’s case…Judge Subramanian should grant him bail today, and Diddy should be a free man. The jury has spoken and prosecutors in the prestigious Southern District of New York should take this very embarrassing loss and move on.”
Dani Pinter, senior vice president and Director of the Law Center, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, told Newsweek in an email statement: “We are disappointed that Sean Combs was not found guilty of sex trafficking for which we believe the evidence against him was overwhelming. However we are glad he will be held accountable for illegally transporting persons for prostitution and we commend the Southern District of New York for taking on this difficult case against a high profile bad actor on behalf of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers now are with the victims and witnesses and we hope they are receiving the support and protection they deserve.”
Attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represented Ventura in the case, told Newsweek in an email Wednesday: “This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. 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.”
Scott Berkowitz, founder and president of RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), told Newsweek in an email statement: “The details of Combs’ crimes were shocking and, in many ways, uncommon. But the experiences of those he victimized, and the courage that they showed in their testimony, are familiar to millions of survivors. If you look past the ‘freak-offs’ you’ll see the reality that this case is like every other case of sexual violence: real harm was done to real humans, and justice demands real consequences for the offender.
“We’re grateful to Ventura, ‘Jane’ and the other witness who testified, and appreciative of the jurors who ensured a measure of justice for these survivors.”
Lonnie Hart, Jr., a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, in comments sent to Newsweek for another article: “I’m not surprised at the verdict at all. The racketeering charge was ill conceived from the beginning. The prostitution charges were much easier to prove.”
UltraViolet, a women’s rights organization, said in a Wednesday statement: “This is a decisive moment for our justice system, one which threatens to undo the sacrifice of courageous survivors who stepped forward to share their stories in this trial, as well as to all those abused by Diddy who weren’t able to. Today’s verdict is not just a stain on a criminal justice system that for decades has failed to hold accountable abusers like Diddy, it’s also an indictment of a culture in which not believing women and victims of sexual assault remains endemic. We will continue to stand with the brave women and men who took great risk to reveal the person Diddy really is.”
Dr. Ann Olivarius, a lawyer who specializes is sexual harassment, assault, and abuse, cases, said in an X ,formerly Twitter, post on Wednesday: “If you’ve see the video of Combs viciously beating Cassie Ventura you know what happened when Cassie said ‘no’. Saying ‘yes’ to avoid a beating is not ‘consent’. It’s coercion, which is what the prosecution must prove under the TVPA [The Trafficking Victims Protection Act].”
What Happens Next
The judge is expected to make a decision later Wednesday on whether Combs must remain in custody as he awaits sentencing.
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