Sean “Diddy” Combs has officially rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors, choosing instead to face trial on serious sex trafficking charges.
The music mogul confirmed his decision at a pre-trial hearing held on Thursday, May 1, in a New York courtroom.
During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs directly, “Have you rejected the government’s offer?” To which the 55-year-old artist responded, “Yes, your honor.”
Combs is scheduled to go on trial beginning Monday, May 5, with jury selection set to start the same day.
The case, which centers around allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering, and promoting prostitution, could result in a life sentence if he is found guilty on all counts.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, the government’s offer would have significantly reduced Combs’ prison time if he had agreed to plead guilty.
She explained that “a guilty plea would have reduced the amount of prison time Combs would be exposed to compared to a trial conviction on all counts, which could result in what is effectively a life sentence.”
Nevertheless, Combs and his legal team declined the offer after carefully reviewing the potential consequences.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo stated that Combs had been briefed on the details of the deal and still opted to proceed with the trial.
Meanwhile, his lawyer Teny Geragos voiced concern over media comments made by attorney Lisa Bloom, who represents at least two of the civil accusers.
Geragos said, “We’re concerned with her behavior here,” referencing remarks Bloom allegedly made in a documentary tied to the case.
The federal charges were filed last year following what prosecutors described as a wide-reaching investigation.
Combs was first indicted in September. Since then, multiple superseding indictments have been filed, further detailing claims of abuse.
The indictment paints Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise that enabled him to exploit women sexually, emotionally, and verbally under the guise of what he allegedly called “freak-offs.”
These prolonged encounters, prosecutors claim, were non-consensual and driven by manipulation.
Despite the accusations, Combs has strongly denied any wrongdoing and continues to plead not guilty.
The Diddy sex trafficking trial will feature testimony from the three main accusers, along with as many as 20 additional witnesses who prosecutors say can speak to the artist’s behavior.
Opening statements for the trial are expected to begin on May 12.
Combs faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars if convicted of sex trafficking alone, and a life sentence if found guilty of racketeering conspiracy.
Therefore, by allowing the case to proceed publicly, Combs appears set on confronting the allegations head-on.
