Prosecutors Issue Statement After Diddy Defeats Their RICO Case

Prosecutors have issued a statement after Diddy beat racketeering charges but was convicted of two federal counts.

Diddy walked away from the most severe charges in his federal case in New York but still faces prison time after a jury convicted him on two counts tied to prostitution.

The Hip-Hop mogul was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion—charges that carried potential life sentences.

However, jurors found him guilty of violating the federal Mann Act by transporting two women, including singer Cassie Ventura and another identified only as “Jane,” across state lines for prostitution.

The verdict followed three days of deliberations and more than 12 hours of discussion by the jury. Prosecutors presented testimony from 34 witnesses. Diddy did not call any witnesses in his defense.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York issued a statement after the verdict, emphasizing the broader impact of sex crimes and the importance of victim-centered justice.

“Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,” prosecutors said. “Victims endure gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse, leading to lasting trauma. New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice.”

The statement also acknowledged the courage of those who testified and credited the agencies involved in the investigation.

“Prosecuting sex crimes requires brave victims to come forward and tell their harrowing stories,” the statement continued. “We and our law enforcement partners recognize the hardships victims endure and have prioritized a victim-centered approach to investigating and prosecuting these cases.”

Federal officials also praised the work of the SDNY’s Civil Rights Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, and the NYPD, among others, for their roles in the case.

Diddy, 55, now faces up to 20 years in prison—10 years for each of the two Mann Act violations. Although he avoided the most serious charges, the convictions could still derail his career in music, business and media.

He has requested to be released on a $1 million bond while awaiting sentencing. A date for sentencing has not been announced yet.

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