On Thursday, Sean “Diddy” Combs formally rejected the government’s offer to plead guilty and avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
“Yes, I do, your honor,” Combs replied when Judge Arun Subramanian asked if he rejected the offer made by federal prosecutors.
Combs, 55, is set to stand trial on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and prostitution, alleging that he coerced women into long-term sexual encounters he referred to as “freak-offs.”
Maurene Comey, an assistant US attorney, stated that a guilty plea would have reduced Combs’ prison time compared to a trial conviction on all counts, which could result in a life sentence.
Specifics about the plea agreement were not disclosed.
Combs arrived at court in a beige jail uniform. He smiled, hugged, and fist bumped his attorneys, one of whom was Teny Geragos.
During the brief conference, Geragos expressed concern about statements made about the case by Los Angeles-based attorney Lisa Bloom, who represents at least two of Combs’ civil accusers in a documentary.
“We are concerned with her behavior here,” Geragos said.
Subramanian stated that he would remind “all counsel” and witnesses to follow professional conduct and court rules when making potentially prejudicial statements that could violate Combs’ right to a fair trial.
Combs was arrested last year after being charged in a sprawling sex trafficking indictment, originally filed in September and followed by multiple superseding indictments, that accuses Combs of being the ringleader of a criminal “enterprise” that allowed him to sexually, physically, emotionally, and verbally abuse his victims over many years.
He has denied all allegations and has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution.
He pleaded not guilty in March to a superseding indictment charging him with coercing one of his employees into sex acts.
Jury selection in the trial is set to begin on May 5, with opening statements scheduled for May 12.
Federal prosecutors said they have up to 20 potential witnesses, in addition to the three main alleged victims, who could testify about Combs’ actions.
Combs could face decades in prison if convicted.
His charges include racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, and sex trafficking, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to a life sentence.
