What we covered here
• Combs sentenced: Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He also must pay a $500,000 fine.
• Combs speaks: He addressed the court earlier and begged the judge for mercy, calling his actions “disgusting, shameful and sick.” Combs apologized to the victims and “all the victims of domestic violence.”
• Defense response: Brian Steel, a defense attorney for Combs, slammed the judge’s sentence as “un-American.” Steel told CNN he thinks the sentence “sends the wrong message” and argued Combs was sentenced for conduct the jury did not find him guilty of.
Our live coverage of the Sean “Diddy” Combs sentencing has ended for the day. Follow our continuing coverage or read through the posts below.
Combs defense attorney argues sentence was "un-American" and says they will appeal
A defense attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs slammed the judge’s sentence of his client of 50 months in prison as “un-American” in comments after the hearing today.
Brian Steel told CNN he thinks the sentence “sends the wrong message” and argued Combs was sentenced for conduct the jury did not find him guilty of.
Steel told CNN’s Kara Scannell that since Combs was not convicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, the judge should not have considered those elements in his sentence.
“There is no such corresponding element in the Mann Act,” he said. “This was a very hard sentence.”
Asked if he thought the judge was wrong, Steel said, “We’ll find out on appeal.”
The defense attorney said he talked to Combs after the sentencing but declined to give more details about their conversation or how his client was feeling. “Two years is an eternity in custody,” Steel said.
Marc Agnifilo, another one of Comb’s defense attorneys, said outside the courthouse that the legal team feels they have “strong basis to appeal.”
Here are the judge's key lines before he sentenced Diddy to 50 months in prison
Judge Arun Subramanian delivered powerful remarks before sentencing Sean “Diddy” Combs to four years in prison and levying a $500,000 fine on the rapper.
Here’s the key lines as Subramanian addressed Combs directly:
- Considering all of Combs’ history: Subramanian clarified that the sentence was for the offenses of conviction — the Mann Act charges — and not the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he was acquitted of. He also said that while the drugs may be behind the Combs’ violent behavior, “the court has to consider all of your history here.”
- Combs’ success and devotion to family: Subramanian said he has considered that Combs is devoted to his family, a self-made artist and businessman who has “inspired and lifted up communities,” and noted that his successes are even more impressive given the struggles in his childhood.
- On the defense’s arguments: Subramianian rejected the defense’s attempt to “characterize the “Freak Offs” and hotel nights as intimate consensual experiences or just a “sex drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ story.”
- On victims: Subramianian said a substantial sentence must be given to send a message that abuse of women is met with accountability, adding that the court is “not assured” that Combs would not commit these acts again. Combs “irreparably harmed two women,” the judge said. Subramianian also thanked the witnesses and victims for coming forward and telling the world what happened.
Other notable developments from the afternoon:
After lunch, there were short statements from a reverend and a re-entry program head. The defense wrapped its statement, followed by a short rebuttal from prosecution, who pointed that only one of the five defense attorneys today mentioned the victims. Then Combs addressed the court, using similar material from the letter he wrote to the judge yesterday.
Attorney says he hopes Combs' sentence encourages "victims who are suffering in silence" to come forward
Arick Fudali, a lawyer who represents others who have filed lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, said he hope’s today’s sentencing encourages other victims to come forward.
Cassie Ventura's attorney says "nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs"
Doug Wigdor, Cassie Ventura’s attorney, released the following statement:
Combs' sentencing hearing has ended
The sentencing hearing for Sean “Diddy” Combs has ended.
Judge to Combs: "You have a universe of people who love you"
After handing down the sentence, Judge Arun Subramanian addressed Sean “Diddy” Combs directly, saying he knows Combs is likely in a “dark place” right now, but that he and his family would get through it.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” the judge said.
“These letters, all those letters that I saw, show that you have a universe of people who love you,” the judge said, referencing several letters from Combs’ mother, sister, children and friends. “Let them lift you up now, just like you’ve lifted them up for so many years.”
In closing, the judge told Combs: “You will have a chance to show your children and the world what real accountability and healing look like.”
Judge thanks victims for coming forward
Judge Arun Subramanian said Cassie Ventura and Jane have “been through abuse and trauma that most of us cannot imagine.”
Subramanian thanked the victims for coming forward and said “I want to say first we heard you.”
“To Ms. Ventura, Jane, and the other victims here who came forward, I can only say — your families are proud of you and your children, when they’re old enough will be proud of you, and I am proud of you for telling the world what really happened,” Subramanian said.
Judge also imposes $500,000 fine on Combs
In addition to the prison time, Judge Arun Subramanian also imposed a $500,000 fine against Sean “Diddy” Combs. That’s the maximum fine he can order.
Subramanian noted this was an upward variation from the guidelines, but said he was taking into account Combs’ “immense resources, which enabled his crimes.”
Judge says Combs' sentence is "hard time"
Judge Arun Subramanian says Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentence is “hard time” away from his family, but also notes Combs will have a life after prison.
JUST IN: Sean Diddy Combs sentenced to just over 4 years in prison
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to 50 months, or just over four years, in prison for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Federal District Judge Arun Subramanian announced the decision Friday, saying “a substantial sentence must be given to send a message to abusers and victims alike that abuse against women is met with real accountability.”
The judge noted that this is “hard time” away from Combs’ family, but also noting Combs will have a life after prison.
The judge said outpatient treatment and mental health programs were warranted. Subramanian also ordered Combs to serve five years of supervised release.
Combs’ lawyers had argued he should be released almost immediately, asking the judge to sentence him to no more than 14 months including time served. Prosecutors said he should’ve faced more than 11 years in prison.
Combs was found guilty of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution in July but was acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have led to a life sentence.
This post has been updated with additional details.
Judge questions Diddy's claims of remorse
Judge Arun Subramanian said what strikes him about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ claim that he is remorseful and won’t do it again is that Combs assaulted Jane in June 2024 even after authorities executed search warrants. The Intercontinental Hotel video was released and Combs gave a similar apology on Instagram.
“You brutally assaulted Jane,” Subramanian said reading an excerpt from Jane’s testimony about the hotel night and assault she endured in June 2024.
Jane testified credibly about that altercation, the judge said.
Everything the judge says in today's ruling will be scrutinized by an appellate court, analyst says
Judge Arun Subramanian, the prosecution and defense are all building a record with today’s sentencing as it is likely that Sean “Diddy” Combs will appeal his charges, CNN legal analyst and anchor Laura Coates says.
“Every single thing the judge says, from the minutia of his rulings to the grand statements about credibility, will be scrutinized by an appellate court,” Coates explained.
The lawyers “are well aware of it, and so is the judge,” she added.
Judge says Diddy "irreparably harmed 2 women"
Judge Arun Subramanian said Sean “Diddy” Combs actions were serious offenses that “irreparably harmed two women,” who still feel the effects today.
“The conduct occurred for over a decade and with tremendous frequency over that time period,” Subramanian said. “Why did it happen that long? Because you had the power and the resources to keep it going. And because you weren’t caught.”
"A substantial sentence must be given," judge says
Judge Arun Subramanian said the court is “not assured” that if Sean “Diddy” Combs was released that “these crimes will not be committed again.”
He said that acts of sexual violence are unfortunately common, and “a substantial sentence must be given to send a message to abusers and victims alike that abuse against women is met with real accountability.”
However, Subramanian said, a sentence of more than 11 years, as requested by the government, “is not reasonable.”
Judge outlines Diddy's abuse of Cassie Ventura was seen in texts, emails, images and videos
Judge Arun Subramanian told Sean “Diddy” Combs that he abused the women a claimed to love “physically, emotionally and psychologically,” adding that he was sitting “right there” during Cassie Ventura and Jane’s testimony.
Combs abused victims "physically, emotionally and psychologically," judge says
The judge also said there’s no question that Sean “Diddy” Combs is devoted to his family.
Judge Arun Subramanian, however, said he “rejects the defense’s attempt to characterize the ‘Freak Offs’ and hotel nights as intimate consensual experiences or just a ‘sex drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ story.”
“A history of good works can not erase the power and control you had over the women you professed to love dearly. You abused them physically, emotionally and psychologically and you used that to get your way,” he said.
The judge added, “I was sitting right here” during testimony from Cassie Ventura and “Jane.”
Judge says Combs' work history is impressive given the trauma suffered from his father's death
Judge Arun Subramanian told Sean “Diddy” Combs that his “work history, impact on the Black community and entrepreneurship are celebrated and iconic.”
“That’s especially impressive given the early violent death of your father and the trauma that must’ve left,” Subramanian said.
Judge to Combs: "The court has to consider all of your history here"
“The drugs may have exacerbated your erratic and violent behavior over the years. However, the court has to consider all of your history here,” Judge Arun Subramanian told Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Judge says he's considered the fact that Combs "inspired and lifted up communities"
Judge Arun Subramanian said he has considered the fact that Sean “Diddy” Combs is a self-made artist and businessman who has “inspired and lifted up communities,” and noted that his work and impact are “celebrated and iconic.”
He said Combs’ successes are even more impressive given the struggles in his childhood.
