Sean “Diddy” Combs has worn many hats over the years—artist, fashion mogul, reality TV star—and now, according to his lawyers, “amateur porn producer.” That’s the angle his legal team is taking as they push to overturn his prostitution convictions.
Court documents reviewed by Diddy’s attorneys claim his infamous “freak-off” videos were nothing more than private, consensual recordings—expressive content protected under free speech. Prosecutors have argued the parties involved women coerced into drug-fueled sex sessions with male “entertainers” who were paid for their participation. Diddy’s defense insists some encounters were filmed with consent, even citing one case where Diddy stopped recording the moment an escort told him to cut the camera.
“Combs promptly turned the camera off on that occasion,” the filing states, “which shows entertainers could object to recording.”
The team also rejected claims the videos were used as blackmail, describing the tapes instead as “homemade porn” meant for Diddy and his girlfriends’ personal viewing. “The evidence also shows Combs and his girlfriends recorded the freak-offs and hotel nights so they could watch them together later,” the filing added, noting that Cassie Ventura and others regularly joined him in rewatching the videos.
Diddy’s attorneys argue this context shows he acted as an “amateur pornographer,” and say keeping the convictions in place would violate his First Amendment rights.
Back in July, Diddy was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, but convicted on two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act—a law dating back to 1910—with each charge carrying up to 10 years in prison.
His lawyers are now challenging how “prostitution” was defined during trial, claiming the court wrongly applied the modern interpretation instead of the broader 1910 definition. They argue that by the older standard, the statute itself would be unconstitutional.
The defense also insists there’s no solid proof Diddy arranged interstate travel with the intent of prostitution, saying the government only pointed to escorts being paid after the fact, not beforehand.
With sentencing set for October 3, Diddy’s legal team is pushing for either a full acquittal or a brand-new trial.
