On Tuesday, Sean “Diddy” Combs asked a New York federal court to release him as he awaits sentencing for prostitution.
According to The New York Times, Sean Combs’ attorneys have argued that his case involves “exceptional” circumstances that justify his release on a $50 million bond. They stated that the 1910 Mann Act, which has been invoked in this case, has never been applied to prosecute an individual involved in a consensual “swingers” lifestyle.
On July 2, Combs was found guilty of transporting someone for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, although he was acquitted of charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. His lawyers requested that he be released immediately on a $1 million bond.
However, Judge Arun Subramanian rejected this request, referring to the defense’s own statements regarding Combs’ violent conduct toward former girlfriends. The judge emphasized that Combs’ unlawful behavior persisted even after federal agents conducted a search of his residence.
Subramanian determined that Combs’ actions demonstrated a “disregard for the rule of law and a tendency toward violence.” Additionally, a lawyer representing Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, sent a letter to the court opposing Combs’ potential release.
During the trial, the jury listened to testimonies from three women who alleged that Combs had physically or sexually abused them. Ventura, who was in a relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, claimed that he hindered her music career and compelled her to partake in “freak offs,” which required her to have sex with other men while Combs watched. She described the drug-fueled events as leaving her exhausted and dehydrated, often spanning several days.
Another victim, identified by the pseudonym “Mia,” was Combs’ assistant for eight years. She accused him of coercing her into performing oral sex and entering her bed to sexually assault her without permission. Additionally, she alleged that Combs threw objects at her and pushed her into a wall.
A third woman, who used the pseudonym “Jane,” dated Combs from 2021 to 2024. She testified about “hotel nights,” which allegedly were sexual rendezvous arranged by Combs. Combs reportedly watched these encounters, which Jane said she had to be under the influence of drugs to participate.
The defense did not call a single witness to testify. Instead, they presented texts between Combs and the alleged victims, which they believe proved the sex encounters were consensual and non-coercive. They compared Combs and Ventura to “swingers” — and claimed the issues in their relationship stemmed from Combs dating other women, not from the alleged “freak offs.”
Combs turned down a plea deal days before his trial began. His sentencing is scheduled for October 3.
[Feature Photo: Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File]
