Sean “Diddy” Combs is pushing back hard against federal prosecutors, arguing that his conviction under the Mann Act should not stand. His defence team says the government relied on the wrong definition of prostitution, and they’re now asking a judge to either overturn the verdict or grant him a new trial.
In recent court filings, Diddy’s attorneys criticised prosecutors for applying what they called the “modern meaning” of prostitution, rather than the one in place when the law was written in 1910. Known at the time as the White Slave Traffic Act, the Mann Act initially defined prostitution far differently, the defence argues.
According to Diddy’s legal team, when the law first passed, the word “prostitute” was broadly applied to women who engaged in sex outside of marriage. The current definition, focused on sex-for-pay, came later. His attorneys say prosecutors twisted the law to fit their case instead of applying the original intent of Congress.
Diddy also disputes the evidence used to convict him, insisting that prosecutors failed to provide solid evidence that he paid male escorts for sex with his girlfriends. Instead, he claims the men were compensated for their time and company, not for sexual activity. Once again, he describes himself as more of an observer in these encounters, maintaining that his role never crossed into criminal behaviour.
The defence motion asks Judge Arun Subramanian to acquit Diddy of the Mann Act charges or, at a minimum, allow him a new trial. His legal team says the conviction rests on shaky ground that ignores the history of the law.
Back in July, a jury cleared Diddy of the most serious allegations, racketeering and sex trafficking, but did find him guilty of transporting individuals for the purposes of prostitution under the Mann Act.
The rapper and entrepreneur quickly moved to challenge that decision, filing his first request for an acquittal just weeks after the verdict. Prosecutors pushed back against that effort, but Diddy is doubling down as his October 3 sentencing date draws near.