Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was sentenced today (Friday) to 4 years and 2 months in prison in his RICO case involving sex workers, violence, manipulation and “freak-offs.”
The judge said a lengthy sentence was needed for deterrence and that he was unconvinced that if Combs is released these crimes won’t happen again.
Combs, 55, was convicted back in July of participating in prostitution acts – flying people across state lines for drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters. Jurors acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have carried a life sentence.
The hip-hop megastar was also fined half a million dollars. Since Combs has served a year in jail already, this sentence means he would be released in about three years.
However, Diddy himself, along with his lawyers and family, pleaded for his immediate release and said the time behind bars has already forced his remorse and sobriety.
He was convicted in July of flying his girlfriends and male sex workers around the country to engage in drug-fueled sexual encounters, a practice that happened over many years and in different locations. However, he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life.
It’ll be interesting to see how much of his 50 month sentence he actually serves, especially since Diddy seemingly was confident he was getting released TODAY.
Before he was handed his 50-month sentence, Diddy was emotional in court and in his letter to the court. His lawyers and children also campaigned through tears on his behalf.
The Bad Boy head honcho was brought to his knees – literally and physically in a Manhattan federal court today – telling the judge, “I humbly ask you for another chance.”
In his emotional four-page letter to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian submitted yesterday, Diddy apologized and took full responsibility ahead of his sentencing. He pleaded for mercy, saying, “the old me died in jail” and asked for a second chance to rebuild his life as a better father, son, and community leader.
He also stated in the letter, “I lost my way…I got lost in my journey. Lost in the drugs and the excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core.”
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Today, Diddy spoke for the first time in court, apologizing to victims Cassie Ventura and “Jane.”
“Domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry,” Combs said. “My actions were disgusting, shameful and sick. I was sick, sick from the drugs, I was out of control, I needed help and I didn’t get the help, and I cannot make no excuse.”
He went on to share how the case has impacted him.
“I am just a human being, I was trying my best, I got lost in my excess and lost in my ego,” he continued. “Because of my decision, I lost my freedom and the opportunity to raise my children and be there for my mother. I lost all of my businesses and lost my career and destroyed my reputation and, most of all, I lost my self-respect. I have been humbled and broken to my core. I hate myself right now. I’ve been stripped down to nothing.”
But his hubris in booking a speaking gig for next week didn’t do him any favors with the judge, it seems.
The U.S. Attorneys stated today that Diddy had a public appearance lined up for next week in Miami, which seems to indicate he believed he would be getting out today or quite soon.
The defense brought in Giovanni Sairras of Re-Entry One to explain the appearance. Sairras said the appearance was a speaking engagement to help other formerly incarcerated individuals. Still, the optics and implication of arrogance likely didn’t help Diddy’s case.
Diddy’s team also brought up all of Diddy’s kids (except for almost 3-year-old Love Combs) to make pleas for him to receive a short sentencing, preferably time served.
Reportedly, Jessie and D’Lila Combs got teary eyed while speaking, and Quincy, Justin and Christian spoke on Diddy being their superhero who taught them to treat women as queens.
Last week, several character letters were submitted to the court regarding Diddy’s sentencing. One standout letter was from Cassie, who testified as victim of his decade’s long abuse, requesting that he is not immediately released.
“I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past,” Ventura Fine wrote, according to court documents. “My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality.”
“I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution toward me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial,” Ventura Fine continued. “As much progress as I have made in recovering from his abuse, I remain very much afraid of what he is capable of and the malice he undoubtedly harbors toward me for having the bravery to tell the truth.”
Her lawyers spoke out after the sentencing saying:
“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs,” read a statement from her attorneys Douglas Wigdor and Meredith Firetog to NBC News, “the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed.”
“We are confident that with the support of her family and friends,” they added, “Ms. Ventura will continue healing, knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”
As for how much time Diddy will actually end up serving…time will tell.
Photos: AP