Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution. Having already spent 14 months in custody, the music mogul will serve an additional three years.
The court also imposed a $500,000 fine (Sh64.7 million) , the maximum allowed by law, and placed him under five years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.
Before sentencing, Combs stood before Judge Arun Subramanian to apologise to his former partners, close friends and family. He described his past behaviour as “disgusting, shameful and sick.” He acknowledged that his children “deserve better” and admitted he had disappointed his mother as a son.
Judge Subramanian said the lengthy sentence was necessary “to send a message to abusers and victims alike that exploitation and violence against women is met with real accountability.”
He dismissed Combs’ attempts to characterise his actions as “intimate consensual experiences or just a ‘s** drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ story.”
The sentencing follows a high-profile federal trial in which Combs was convicted on two prostitution-related charges. He was cleared of racketeering and sex trafficking, offences that could have resulted in a life sentence.
Prosecutors had urged the court to hand Combs an 11-year sentence, arguing that his crimes warranted a tougher penalty. His legal team countered that the time he had already served, 14 months, was sufficient.
During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told the court that Combs’ “respect for the law is just lip service.”
She pointed out that the 55-year-old had already planned public speaking events for the following week, suggesting he was confident he would walk free.
“That is the height of hubris, your honor,” she said. Slavik added that Combs still had not fully accepted responsibility for his actions, even as he faced sentencing for two federal crimes.