Sean “Diddy” Combs, the embattled American singer and business mogul, turned down the US government’s offer to plead guilty on Thursday.
If P. Diddy had accepted the plea agreement, he could have avoided a lengthy prison sentence.
When Judge Arun Subramanian inquired if he was rejecting the federal prosecutors’ offer, he said, “Yes, I do, Your Honour.”
Combs is expected to stand trial on Monday, with jury selection set to begin. He is charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and prostitution, alleging that he coerced women into long-term sexual encounters known as “freak-offs.”
Maurene Comey, an Assistant US Attorney, indicated that a guilty plea would have considerably reduced Combs’ prison time. A conviction on all counts at trial might mean a life sentence.
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Combs arrived in court in a beige jail outfit. He laughed, hugged his legal team, and exchanged a fist bump with Teny Geragos.
During the brief session, Geragos expressed alarm over public claims made in a documentary by Los Angeles-based attorney Lisa Bloom, who represents at least two of Combs’ civil accusers.
“We’re concerned about her behavior here,” Geragos explained.
Judge Subramanian responded by reminding “all counsel” and witnesses to follow the rules of professional behavior and court regulations about possibly prejudiced public statements that could jeopardize Combs’ right to a fair trial.
