Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sentenced after federal prostitution trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to 50 months, which is more than four years, a Manhattan federal court judge ruled Friday.

Judge Arun Subramanian told the mogul moments before the decision, “I considered the fact that you are a self-made artist and businessman, who inspired and lifted up communities” but then noted that he had to consider “all of [his] history,” including the infamous “Freak-Offs.”

“You abused them, physically, emotionally and psychologically,” he added, referencing the victims. “Why did it happen for so long? Because you had the power and resources to keep it going.”

Subramanian concluded, “The court is not assured that if released these crimes would not be committed again” before noting the importance of sending a message to other abusers.

The ruling comes three months after Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, for which he faced 20 years in prison. At the time, he was also acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, which could have resulted in an even more dire life in prison sentence.

Combs, 55, was present in the courtroom Friday and was not in his prison jumpsuit, as his attorneys had previously requested and gotten approval for him to be in standard citizen attire for the hearing.

Instead, he wore a oatmeal-colored sweater over a button down shirt, slacks and loafers, and sported salt-and-pepper hair with a trimmed grey beard.

Earlier, Combs stood in front of the court and issued apologies to Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, another key witness who testified under the pseudonym “Jane Doe” and his family for any “harm or hurt” he caused.

“I can really make no excuse because I knew better. My mother raised me better. I was taught that, my faith taught me that. I got lost in my journey of life,” he said.

“Because of my decisions, I lost my freedom. I lost the opportunity to effectively raise my children and be there for my mother. I lost all my businesses, I lost my career – totally destroyed my reputation. But most of all, I lost my self respect.”

The “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper then begged the judge “for mercy,” stating, “I desperately need to become a better person because I don’t want to let God down. I don’t want to let my family down.”

Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo had told the judge that the defense was seeking a 14-month sentence.

Leading up to the hearing, the lawyers pleaded for the Bad Boy Records founder’s near-immediate release, pointing out he already “served over a year in one of the most notorious jails in America” and would like to go home to “continue his treatment and try to make the most” of his next chapter.

Combs also wrote a letter to the judge Thursday, saying that he takes “full responsibility and accountability for [his] past wrongs.”

“This has been the hardest 2 years of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself,” the “Coming Home” rapper added. “In my life, I have made many mistakes, but I am no longer running from them.”

He claimed the images of him physically beating his Ventura played “over and over in [his] head daily,” admitting he was “dead wrong for putting [his] hands on the woman that [he] loved.”

Combs also shared that he was “sober for the first time in 25 years,” adding, “I have been trying my best to deal with my drug abuse and anger issues and take accountability as well as positive steps towards healing. … Being able to do something good for others has also given me much needed hope.”

Prosecutors, however, argued the “unrepentant” entertainer should a minimum 11 years behind bars.

Seventy-five of Combs’ loved ones, including family members and former colleagues, also wrote heartfelt letters to the judge to advocate on the entertainer’s behalf.

Perhaps one of the most shocking character witness letters was written by the music mogul’s ex Virginia “Gina” Huynh, as she had accused Combs of “[stomping] on [her] stomach” in a 2019 interview.

The model was also supposed to be a key witness during the trial but declined to testify.

In her letter, Huynh wrote, “To my knowledge, [Combs] has not been violent for many years, and he has been committed to being a father first.

“Our relationship, like many, was not always perfect, we experienced ups and downs, and mistakes were made, but he was willing to acknowledge his mistakes and make better decisions in the future.”

Ventura, however, issued a letter that strongly opposed Combs’ release.

“I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past,” the “Me & U” singer, 39, wrote, referencing the alleged abuse she endured during their 11-year relationship.

Ventura also explained to the judge that she feared the “Mo Money Mo Problems” rapper would “come after” her and her family.

“I have in fact moved my family out of the New York area and am keeping as private and quiet as I possibly can because I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial,” she added.

Ventura was on the stand for four days back in May while in the third term of her pregnancy, and testified over the verbal, emotional and physical abuse she allegedly dealt with, including the days-long “Freak-Offs” with escorts she would partake in that caused her to have medical issues.

Aside from the “Long Way 2 Go” singer, other notable names who took the stand were rapper Kid Cudi and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard.

Following Combs’ verdict, Ventura’s lawyer said his client “paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution” and praised her “indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”

He concluded, “This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”

Despite Combs’ federal case drawing to a close, the “Last Night” rapper still faces several civil lawsuits.