Sean Combs Guilty of Prostitution, Acquitted on Other Charges [View all]
Source: Bloomberg Law
Sean Diddy Combs was acquitted Wednesday on the top charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, but convicted of lesser charges of transporting prostitutes.
The verdict means Combs escaped the possibility of a life sentence though he still faces a maximum of 20 years on the two prostitution charges.
The 12-person jury in Manhattan federal court returned the mixed verdict after three days of deliberations.
The verdict followed a seven-week trial during which prosecutors said Combs ran a criminal enterprise and forced women into dayslong, drug-fueled sex parties with escorts. The defense argued the government exaggerated Combs behavior and criminalized consensual if complicated relationships.
The conviction for transporting a prostitute across state lines stems allegations that Combs paid sex workers to come to his freak-off parties. Each count carries a 10-year maximum.
The acquittal for racketeering, which carried a maximum of life, stemmed from allegations that Combs conspired with bodyguards and business partners to commit a number of crimes, including kidnapping, arson, bribery, and drug distribution. The charge has historically been used to take down mob bosses like John Gotti.
Read more: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/new-york-brief/sean-combs-guilty-of-prostitution-cleared-of-trafficking-rico