On Thursday, Sean “Diddy Combs” rejected the government’s offer to plead guilty in order to avoid a possible long prison sentence.
Combs replied, “Yes, I reject it,” when Judge Arun Subramanian questioned him about whether he had rejected the offer made by federal prosecutors.
Combs is due to be tried beginning Monday, with the jury being selected. He faces charges of racketeering, sex-trafficking, and prostitution, alleging that he forced women into long sexual encounters which he called “freak offs.”
Maurene Combs, assistant United States Attorney, said a guilty verdict would have resulted in a shorter prison sentence for Combs than a conviction at trial on all counts which could lead to a punishment that is equivalent to a life term.
Details of the plea bargain were not disclosed.
Combs appeared in court wearing a beige prison uniform. He hugged and smiled at his lawyers and gave Teny Geragos a fist-bump.
Geragos expressed concern during the brief press conference regarding statements made by Los Angeles attorney Lisa Bloom, who represents at the very least two civil accusers of Combs.
Geragos expressed concern about her behavior.
Subramanian reminded “all counsel” to follow the rules of professional conduct as well as court rules regarding potentially prejudicial remarks that could violate Combs’ rights to a fair hearing.
Combs, who was charged with a sprawling sex-trafficking indictment in September, and multiple superseding charges, was arrested in December last year. The indictment accuses Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise that allowed him sexually, emotionally, and verbally to abuse his victims over a period of years.
He has denied the accusations and pleaded guilty to charges including racketeering, sex-trafficking and transportation for prostitution.
In March, he pleaded not guilt to a superseding charge that alleged he had forced one of his workers into sexual acts.
The jury selection for the trial will begin on May 5 and opening statements are scheduled for May 12.
Federal prosecutors have said that they could call up to 20 witnesses in addition to the three main victims who are alleged, who can testify regarding Combs’ behavior.
Combs could face decades in prison if convicted.
The racketeering charge could result in a life-long sentence if found guilty, while the sex crime charge can carry a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and even a life term.