Sean Combs was acquitted on sex trafficking charges but found guilty on racketeering counts in a federal trial that concluded this week.
The jury delivered its mixed verdict after deliberating for three days. Prosecutors had argued Combs ran a criminal enterprise that exploited women through coercion and violence.
The acquittal on sex trafficking represents a significant victory for Combs’ defense team.
However, the racketeering conviction carries serious penalties. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest Combs could face up to 20 years in prison on the racketeering charges alone.
“We’re obviously pleased with the jury’s decision on the trafficking charges,” said defense attorney Marc Agnifilo. “We plan to appeal the racketeering verdict immediately.”
The trial lasted six weeks and featured testimony from multiple alleged victims. Federal prosecutors painted Combs as the leader of an organization that used intimidation and violence to control women in the entertainment industry.
Combs maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The racketeering charges centered on allegations that Combs used his business empire to facilitate criminal activity. Prosecutors argued his companies served as a front for illegal operations spanning nearly two decades.
Defense lawyers countered that the government’s case relied on unreliable witnesses seeking financial compensation. They argued consensual relationships were mischaracterized as criminal conduct.
The mixed verdict reflects the complexity of the case and the challenges prosecutors faced in proving all charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Combs was immediately taken into custody following the guilty verdict on racketeering. His legal team indicated they’ll file appeal paperwork within the standard 30-day window.
Sentencing is scheduled for March. Federal prosecutors confirmed they’re reviewing the verdict to determine whether to pursue additional charges related to the dismissed trafficking counts.
The case attracted widespread media attention and sparked broader conversations about power dynamics in the entertainment industry.