Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to just over four years in federal prison after Judge Arun Subramanian handed down a 50-month sentence on Friday. The ruling came after weeks of speculation over what punishment he would face. Prosecutors pushed for 11 years, while his defence team had urged for only 14 months.
Along with prison time, the music mogul will pay a $500,000 fine. The hearing stretched on for hours as both sides made their case. Prosecutors criticised Diddy for what could be described as a lack of seriousness, pointing to a scheduled speaking event in Miami next week.
His attorneys, on the other hand, leaned heavily on character witnesses and family testimony, even playing a video of Diddy with his children in court.
When it was his turn to speak, Diddy addressed the court at length, marking the first time he has spoken so openly during the trial. He began with a public apology. “I want to personally apologise again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I’ve caused her — emotionally or physically,” he said and extended the apology to her family.”
He also issued an apology to another victim, expressing that he did not intend to hurt her and regretted bringing her into such a mess. This victim had testified during the trial under the pseudonym Jane.
At one point, Diddy described his actions as “disgusting, shameful and sick.” He also issued apologies to his own family, who were present in the court. “I failed you as a son, and I’m sorry,” he told his mother. To his kids, he admitted they “deserved better”.
He admitted that his actions had cost him nearly everything — his freedom, career, reputation, businesses, and the chance to fully be present for his family. Taking full responsibility, he made it clear that no one else was to blame.
He also pleaded with the judge for leniency, expressing his desire to rebuild his life and be a father again. He acknowledged the seriousness of his conviction under the Mann Act, accepted the consequences, and promised to change, vowing not to repeat the mistakes that brought him to this point.