In a dramatic new twist to his ongoing legal saga, American hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has asked a New York court to vacate his prostitution convictions or grant him a fresh trial.
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the embattled star, currently in custody, urged the court to reconsider his case, insisting that his actions were wrongly criminalised under the Mann Act.
Diddy’s legal troubles began in September 2024, when he was indicted on multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. These charges were tied to allegations that he organised notorious “freak-offs,” alleged drug-fueled sexual events involving escorts and ex-girlfriends across state lines.
During his high-profile trial earlier this year, prosecutors claimed the music mogul used his staff to coordinate travel, supply narcotics, handle logistics, and allegedly coerce participants through recordings.
On July 2, 2025, after weeks of testimony, the jury delivered a mixed verdict. Diddy was acquitted of the most severe charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, but convicted on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution under the Mann Act.
The counts involved testimonies from Cassie Ventura and another woman who testified under the pseudonym “Jane.”
Now facing up to 10 years in prison per count, Diddy has mounted a last-minute push to clear his name. His lawyers argue that he does not meet the legal definition of a Mann Act violator, claiming he never directly paid for sex nor coerced participants.
Instead, they described him as an “amateur pornographer” who filmed consensual encounters, insisting that such actions should not amount to prostitution.
They further argued that Combs had “no commercial motive”, and accused prosecutors of losing perspective by pushing for a sentence they described as “wildly out of proportion.”
Diddy, who was denied bail following the trial, is currently awaiting sentencing scheduled for October 3, 2025. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 51 to 63 months (approximately four to five years), while his defence team is asking for no more than 14 months, much of which he has already served.
As the countdown to sentencing continues, all eyes remain on the court’s next move, with the music industry and fans worldwide waiting to see whether one of hip-hop’s most powerful figures will walk free or face years behind bars.
