Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has announced plans to appeal his 50-month prison sentence, sharply criticizing the judge who oversaw the case.
On Friday (October 3), U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian of the Southern District of New York sentenced the Bad Boy Entertainment founder to four years and two months in prison, along with a $500,000 fine, for two counts of violating the Mann Act. Diddy will receive credit for the 12 months he has already served.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo confirmed the team’s intention to appeal.
In footage shared by legal reporter Meghann Cuniff, Agnifilo argued that Judge Subramanian’s conclusion that the sexual encounters were non-consensual was “absolutely inconsistent with the jury’s verdict.”
“The jury’s verdict was resoundingly clear,” he said. “There was no sex trafficking, there was no racketeering, everything was consensual, everything was adult. Which is why he was convicted of only a prostitution offense.”
Agnifilo went on to allege that “the judge acted as a 13th juror, one that we did not choose and that he second-guessed the jury’s verdict.”
After a brief commotion among reporters and those addressing the media, Marc Agnifilo told the crowd that the team was working to “find the right facility for Mr. Combs” but remained “very serious about pursuing an appeal.”
During the sentencing, Judge Arun Subramanian explained his reasoning, acknowledging Diddy’s contributions to music and culture but emphasizing the severity of his actions.
He stated that while Diddy has “innovated, inspired and lifted up communities,” his “history of good works can’t wash away the record in this case which showed that you abused the power and control that you had over the lives of women you professed to love dearly.”
“You abused them physically, emotionally, and psychologically. And you used that abuse to get your way, especially when it came to freak-offs and hotel nights,” the judge continued. “The defense’s argument that all of this was unrelated to the offense conduct in this case doesn’t hold up.”
Before sentencing, Diddy apologized to his victims, his mother Janice Combs, and his seven children, including his adopted son Quincy Brown. A video montage highlighting Diddy’s charitable acts and family moments was also shown, depicting him spending time with his children and giving back to the community.
