Diddy is back in court filings, this time arguing that his conviction doesn’t just raise legal issues, it raises constitutional ones. His latest move centers on a First Amendment defense as he seeks to overturn his sentence tied to prostitution-related charges.
Lawyers for Diddy filed an appeal Thursday, claiming he was treated unfairly during trial and should either have his conviction reversed or receive a reduced sentence. Diddy, 56, is currently serving more than four years in prison, with a projected release date in April 2028.
In written arguments reviewed by The Associated Press, his legal team doubled down on a controversial claim. They argued that recordings involving his girlfriends and male escorts qualified as “amateur pornography” protected by the First Amendment. They also argued the term “prostitution” should be interpreted narrowly to exclude what they describe as voyeuristic, expressive activity. Prosecutors see it differently. They argue the recordings do not transform the case into a free speech issue, especially when paired with testimony presented during the eight-week trial.
Two former girlfriends described drug-fueled encounters with hired men, saying they felt coerced and feared retaliation. Casandra “Cassie” Ventura testified that she was forced into sex with strangers hundreds of times, while another woman, identified as “Jane,” said she was pressured into similar encounters during what Combs called “hotel nights.”
Although Diddy avoided convictions on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, he was found guilty under the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for illegal sexual activity.
His lawyers argue the sentence itself was excessive, claiming the court improperly relied on findings of coercion and leadership. They also acknowledged he could be violent but maintain prosecutors stretched elements of his personal life into federal crimes.
