Sean “Diddy” Combs, the embattled American singer and business mogul, turned down a plea bargain offer from the US government on Thursday.
P. Diddy, as he is generally known, could have avoided a lengthy prison sentence by accepting the plea agreement.
When Judge Arun Subramanian inquired if he was rejecting the federal prosecutors’ offer, he replied: “Yes, I do, Your Honour.”
Combs is expected to stand trial on Monday, with jury selection due to begin. He is charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and prostitution, alleging that he coerced women into protracted sexual encounters he referred to as “freak-offs.”
Maurene Comey, an Assistant US Attorney, indicated that a guilty plea would have considerably lowered Combs’ potential prison sentence. A conviction on all counts at trial might result in an effective life sentence.
Combs arrived in court wearing a beige jail outfit. He smiled, hugged his legal team, and exchanged fist bumps with one of them, Teny Geragos.
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During the brief session, Geragos expressed worries about public statements made by Los Angeles-based attorney Lisa Bloom, who represents at least two of Combs’ civil accusers in a documentary.
“We’re concerned about her behaviour here,” Geragos remarked.
Judge Subramanian stated that he would urge “all counsel” and witnesses to follow the norms of professional conduct and court regulations when making potentially prejudiced public statements that could jeopardize Combs’ right to fair trial.
