Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to impose a significant prison term of over 11 years on hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. This recommendation comes ahead of his sentencing on Friday for two prostitution-related convictions. Crucially, several key witnesses, including his former longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, have submitted heartfelt letters to the court, expressing profound fears for their safety should Combs be granted leniency and released.
The prosecution’s request, detailed in a written submission on Tuesday, included statements from Cassie, her parents, and four other individuals. These accounts paint a picture of ongoing apprehension, emphasizing the need for a substantial sentence. One notable absence among the public submissions was a former girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym “Jane,” recounting years of forced, drug-fueled sexual encounters with male sex workers, which Combs allegedly observed and filmed without consent.
In a related development, Judge Arun Subramanian late Tuesday rejected Combs’ legal team’s bid to overturn his conviction. The defense had argued that Combs was merely an “amateur pornographer” and that the guilty verdict infringed upon his First Amendment rights. However, Judge Subramanian firmly dismissed this, stating that “Illegal activity can’t be laundered into constitutionally protected activity.” He characterized Combs’ filming as “incidental,” citing trial evidence that showed a consistent lack of notice or consent, unlike standard film production practices.
While a jury acquitted Combs, 55, of more severe racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges—which could have resulted in a life sentence—he was found guilty of two lesser Mann Act violations, pertaining to interstate commerce involving prostitution. This outcome has left some victims disappointed, feeling that a full measure of justice remains elusive.
Cassie, who provided four days of intense testimony at Combs’ trial, described being just 19 years old when Combs allegedly subjected her to a decade of abuse through “violence, threats, substances, and control over my career.” She vividly recalled numerous assaults that left her traumatized and bruised, stating in her letter, “If there is one thing I have learned from this experience, it is that victims and survivors will never be safe.”
“Mia,” a former personal assistant who testified to being raped by Combs in 2010, pleaded with Judge Subramanian for a sentence that acknowledges the “ongoing danger my abuser poses to me, and to others,” adding, “The defendant’s wealth, power, and fame should not place him above the law.” Capricorn Clark, another ex-Combs employee, urged the judge to deliver justice, suggesting that time in prison would be beneficial: “I truly believe that serving more time will save Puff’s life, as time away from his money, drugs, and power is the only punishment he will recognize.” Stylist Deonte Nash echoed this sentiment, hoping for a sentence that facilitates victim healing and encourages genuine change in Combs.
Further testimony was expected from Jourdan-Cha’Taun Atkinson, Combs’ personal chef from 2007 to 2010. She recounted receiving a federal subpoena in March 2024, only for Combs to learn of it within two weeks and offer to cover her legal fees. This incident “terrified” her, leading her to question how Combs obtained this information so quickly. Calling for the maximum sentence, Atkinson described Combs as “a very dangerous, and spiteful man. With a long memory, and a panache for payback.”
In stark contrast, Combs’ lawyers have requested a maximum sentence of 14 months, which would lead to his almost immediate release, arguing he has suffered sufficiently during his nearly 13 months in a Brooklyn federal lockup. They contend that jail has transformed him, citing his constant suicide watch, improved calm in threatening situations (even when faced with a shiv), and his realization that prescription drug overuse contributed to his violent behavior.
Despite the defense’s plea, Cassie’s fear persists. She revealed experiencing daily nightmares and flashbacks, requiring ongoing psychological care. “My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality,” she wrote, explaining that she has moved her family out of the New York area and maintains a low profile, fearing “swift retribution” if he walks free. The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has.
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Originally published at: https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-sentencing-government-submission-3153f78c3cfa754681cc9d52078a20fb
