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Sean "Diddy" Combs has formally declined a plea deal offered by federal prosecutors in a high-profile sex trafficking case set to begin in New York next week. Appearing before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian on Thursday, the 55-year-old music mogul confirmed his decision when asked directly by the judge if he was refusing the plea "in a sound mind and under no influence." Combs responded, "Yes, your honour."
While the exact terms of the plea deal remain sealed, prosecutors indicated it would have led to a lesser sentence than what he might face if found guilty at trial. Combs has pleaded not guilty to a series of charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.
He is accused of orchestrating a network that enabled and covered up sexual abuse, with allegations suggesting he coerced women into prolonged sexual acts he reportedly called "freak-offs." His legal team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, maintains that Combs simply led the "lifestyle" of a "swinger," which, while unconventional, Agnifilo argued, "is not criminal."
Dressed in olive tones over a thermal white shirt, Combs appeared in court holding a black binder, greeting supporters and exchanging hugs with his legal team. He has been held at a Brooklyn detention facility since his arrest in September, far from his luxurious residences in Miami and Los Angeles. In a recent court order, he was granted permission to wear business casual clothes during the proceedings to avoid any visual bias before the jury.
The trial, which could last at least eight weeks, begins with jury selection on Monday—coinciding with the Met Gala, an event where Combs was once a regular attendee. Approximately 600 prospective jurors have been summoned, with the court aiming to narrow the pool to 45 for in-depth interviews. Judge Subramanian has committed to handling the selection process with sensitivity, particularly concerning potential jurors' past experiences with abuse.
Among the witnesses expected is Combs' former partner, singer Cassandra Ventura—known professionally as Cassie—who had filed a civil lawsuit in 2023 accusing him of years of abuse. Though the case was settled quickly, surveillance footage later emerged showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel lobby. The footage has been admitted into evidence despite objections from his lawyers.