Singer and business mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has officially declined a final plea deal from federal prosecutors, setting the stage for a high-profile trial beginning Monday on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering.
The 55-year-old hip-hop star confirmed his decision in a Manhattan federal courtroom on Thursday, responding with a firm “Yes, I do, your honor” when asked by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian if he rejected the offer.
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Combs, dressed in a beige jail uniform, appeared composed, waving to supporters and exchanging greetings with his legal team, including attorney Teny Geragos, before the hearing.
The plea deal’s specifics remain undisclosed, but prosecutors hinted it could have reduced his potential prison time compared to a conviction at trial, where he faces a possible life sentence.
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Combs has pleaded not guilty to all five charges—two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering conspiracy—alleging he coerced women into drug-fueled sexual performances dubbed Freak Offs over two decades.
The trial, one of the music industry’s most anticipated in years, starts with jury selection on Monday, May 5, with opening statements scheduled for May 12.
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It is expected to last eight to ten weeks, featuring testimony from key witnesses, including his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who sued him in 2023 for rape and abuse.
A 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking Ventura, recently ruled admissible by Judge Subramanian, will also be presented, despite defense efforts to discredit it.
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Combs’ legal team argues the encounters were consensual, framing them as part of a “swinger” lifestyle, a defense previewed by attorney Marc Agnifilo.
Prosecutors, however, assert Combs used his business empire to intimidate and manipulate victims, supported by potential video evidence.
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Held without bail at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest, Combs will wear court-approved civilian clothes during the trial, including button-down shirts and laceless shoes.
The case, fueled by dozens of civil lawsuits and intense media scrutiny, underscores a dramatic fall for the Bad Boy Records founder, once celebrated for launching stars like Notorious B.I.G. As the trial looms, Combs’ decision to fight the charges reflects his confidence in proving his innocence, though the outcome remains uncertain amid mounting evidence and public attention.
