Sean “Diddy” Combs is challenging his prison sentence, with his legal team arguing that the punishment handed down by a federal judge is far more severe than it should be.
In a newly filed appeal, the disgraced music mogul’s attorneys claim the 50-month sentence tied to Mann Act convictions goes well beyond what is typically imposed in similar cases and they also argue the judge relied on accusations that a jury had already rejected during trial.
“The sentence is a perversion of justice,” Diddy’s lawyers wrote in the filing, insisting that the court punished him for allegations connected to sex trafficking and racketeering charges that resulted in acquittals.
Diddy stood trial last year in a closely watched federal case that lasted about two months. Jurors ultimately cleared him of the most serious charges, including sex trafficking and RICO allegations. However, he was found guilty on two counts related to transporting individuals for prostitution.
The appeal claims the judge improperly considered claims tied to the acquitted charges when deciding the final sentence. Diddy’s lawyers say that approach has faced increasing criticism within the legal community.
They are now asking an appeals court to intervene. In the filing, the team requested “immediate release and a judgment of acquittal,” or for the case to be sent back to the lower court for a new sentencing decision.