Disgraced music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is hoping for a festive legal reprieve after his legal team filed an appeal to overturn his conviction for prostitution offences. The 56-year-old, sentenced in October to over four years in prison, is currently incarcerated at a federal facility in New Jersey.
The Grounds for Appeal
On Tuesday, just days before Christmas, lawyers for Combs lodged papers with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan. They are seeking his immediate release or a directive for the trial judge to reduce his sentence. The filing argues that Judge Arun Subramanian acted like a 'thirteenth juror' during sentencing in October, imposing a term of four years and two months.
The core of the appeal alleges the judge was improperly influenced by evidence related to charges of which Combs was acquitted. At his trial, which concluded in July, the rapper was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. His conviction was solely under the Mann Act for transporting people across state lines for prostitution.
His attorneys contend that for the two lesser counts he was convicted of—which did not involve findings of force, fraud, or coercion by the jury—defendants typically receive sentences of less than 15 months. They claim the judge's sentence is the highest ever imposed for a remotely similar case.
Allegations from the Trial and Prison Troubles
The sentencing judge stated he considered testimony from two former girlfriends when determining the prison term. Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura testified that during their decade-long relationship, Combs forced her into having sex with strangers hundreds of times. Jurors were shown a video of him beating and dragging her in a hotel hallway.
A second woman, using the pseudonym 'Jane', said she was pressured into sexual encounters with male sex workers during drug-fuelled 'hotel nights' organised by Combs between 2021 and 2024. Judge Subramanian rejected the defence's characterisation of events as consensual, stating Combs had 'abused the power and control' he had over the women.
Since his incarceration, Combs has also faced accusations of flouting prison rules by allegedly making homemade moonshine. His current scheduled release date is May 2028.
What Happens Next?
The appeals court has not yet scheduled oral arguments. Combs's legal team has asked the court to either acquit him, order his immediate release, or instruct Judge Subramanian to impose a reduced sentence. They argue the judge's findings of coercion and exploitation effectively 'trumped the jury's verdict'.
This last-ditch legal move before the holidays places the future of the Bad Boy Records founder in the hands of the appellate judges, as he awaits a potential Christmas miracle that could see him freed years early.
