Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found guilty on two of five charges in his high-profile trial that began in May. On July 2, a jury found him guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution. However, he was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two sex trafficking charges involving Cassie Ventura and a woman identified as “Jane.”
Initially, jurors were split on the racketeering charge, telling the judge they had “unpersuadable jurors on both sides.” The next day, they returned with a unanimous verdict on all five counts.
Combs had pleaded not guilty. The racketeering charge, the most serious, alleged he ran a criminal enterprise for two decades. He was ultimately cleared of that count.
Cassie Ventura played a central role in the case, testifying about alleged abuse and “freak off” parties during her relationship with Combs. She claimed, “He was abusive and controlling… physically abusive.”
Several celebrities were mentioned during the trial, including Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Drake, though none were accused of wrongdoing. Ventura also claimed Combs threatened Kid Cudi and was involved in an incident where Cudi’s car was blown up.
The verdict closes a major chapter in one of the music industry’s most shocking legal battles.