In a pivotal letter to a federal judge on Thursday, Sean “Diddy” Combs begged for leniency, stating he has been “humbled” by his recent criminal case and promised he would “never commit a crime again.” This emotional appeal comes just before his sentencing on serious prostitution-related charges.
Combs openly acknowledged his responsibility, writing, “This has been the hardest two years of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself.” His lawyers submitted the letter right before the crucial sentencing hearing.
While an eight-week trial earlier this summer saw Mr. Combs acquitted of sex trafficking two former girlfriends and racketeering conspiracy, he was ultimately convicted of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution. These charges specifically pertained to drug-fueled sex parties, or “freak-offs” and “hotel nights,” involving his partners and hired escorts.
“In my life, I have made many mistakes, but I am no longer running from them,” he penned. “I am so sorry for the hurt that I caused, but I understand that the mere words ‘I’m sorry’ will never be good enough as these words alone cannot erase the pain from the past.”
Sean Combs told a judge that he had been “humbled” by the criminal case against him and would “never commit a crime again.”
This marks the first time Mr. Combs, widely known as Puff Daddy or Diddy, has issued such a significant public statement regarding his legal troubles.
Within the letter, Mr. Combs also addressed the physical abuse of Casandra Ventura, a central figure in the government’s case. She had testified about enduring repeated beatings during their decade-long relationship. Combs wrote, “I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved.”
Sean Combs’s Letter to the Judge
For those seeking the full context, the complete text of Sean Combs’s plea for leniency to the federal judge is available. In this four-page document, the music mogul outlines his remorse and hopes for a reduced sentence on prostitution-related charges.
Read Document
Contrastingly, in her own powerful letter to the judge, Ms. Ventura urged consideration of “the many lives that Sean Combs has upended with his abuse and control.” She painted a picture of their relationship as a “horrific decade of my life stained by abuse, violence, forced sex and degradation,” admitting her ongoing fear for her safety.
Mr. Combs is slated to appear in court on Friday for his sentencing. The two prostitution-related convictions each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, making the judge’s decision highly anticipated.
Legal teams from both sides have submitted their sentencing recommendations. Mr. Combs’s defense is pushing for a maximum of 14 months, arguing that with time already served, he could be free by the end of 2025.
“A sentence of no more than 14 months,” his lawyers stated in a recent filing, “is the only sentence that would be consistent with Congress’s instruction ‘to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct.’”
Conversely, prosecutors have branded Mr. Combs “unrepenting,” citing numerous instances of violence from the trial record. They have requested a sentence of no less than 11 years and three months. Federal probation officials, however, suggested guidelines that would lead to a sentence of up to seven years and three months.
During the hearing, Mr. Combs is anticipated to “allocute,” meaning he will speak directly to the judge. This is a common opportunity for defendants to voice their remorse and outline intentions for future self-improvement if granted release.
“I lost my way,” Combs reiterated in his letter. “I got lost in my journey. Lost in the drugs and the excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core.”