The prosecution alleges Combs ran a decades-long operation involving coercion of women into drug-fuelled sex acts with male sex workers. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering.
United States rapper and music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs has rejected a plea deal and will stand trial next week in a federal sex trafficking case that could lead to a life sentence if convicted.
During a hearing in Manhattan federal court on Thursday, Combs, 55, confirmed to Judge Arun Subramanian that he had reviewed and declined the deal. “Yes I did,” he responded when questioned.
Prosecutor Maurene Comey stated, “Combs faces the possibility of a more severe sentence if convicted at trial than he would have had he accepted the plea deal.” Details of the deal were not disclosed.
The prosecution alleges Combs ran a decades-long operation involving coercion of women into drug-fuelled sex acts with male sex workers. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. His lawyers claim all acts were consensual.
Jury selection began Monday; the trial opens on 12 May and may last eight weeks.