Attorney Mark Geragos, a prominent legal figure and the father of one of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ attorneys, has made a bold prediction about the rapper’s prison sentence. Following his conviction on prostitution charges and acquittal on sex trafficking, Geragos believes Diddy may serve no more than 18 months behind bars. During an appearance on his podcast, Geragos outlined the likely sentencing range, noting that while the government may seek 50 to 60 months, the sentencing guidelines suggest a 20 to 27-month range. He anticipates a sentence of 21 months or less, possibly even ‘time served,’ and predicts Diddy could be released within a year. With nearly 10 months already served, Geragos’ assessment is that the time spent in custody will be credited toward the final sentence. The defense team, led by Geragos’ daughter, Teny, and Marc Agnifilo, argued that the case was about ‘voluntary adult choices,’ not a criminal enterprise.
Diddy’s legal team, which also included Brian Steel, Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier R. Donaldson, and Alexandra Shapiro, successfully navigated the trial to avoid a RICO conviction. Geragos’ daughter Teny briefly appeared on his podcast to express her gratitude for the legal victory. Despite the conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, the defense maintained that the charges were rooted in adult consensual relationships rather than organized crime. The jury’s decision, which found Diddy not guilty on the more severe RICO and sex trafficking charges, has been seen as a pivotal moment in the case. The sentencing hearing, initially scheduled for October 3, may be expedited as the defense seeks to minimize Diddy’s time behind bars. With the prosecution suggesting a four-to-five-year sentence, the final outcome remains uncertain, but legal experts like Geragos are confident in a relatively short sentence for the hip-hop mogul.
R. Kelly’s lawyer, Nicole Blank Becker, shared her thoughts on the verdict, highlighting the strength of the evidence presented by Diddy’s exes, Cassie Ventura and ‘Jane,’ who testified under a pseudonym. She noted that the prosecution’s case was built on the testimony of these individuals, making the transportation to engage in prostitution charges difficult to defeat. However, Becker argued that the prosecution’s attempt to use RICO and the Mann Act to frame Diddy’s case as an organized criminal enterprise was a legal misstep. She criticized the government’s effort to label Diddy’s music empire as a criminal enterprise, noting that these laws were never meant for such cases. The failure to secure a RICO conviction has been seen as a significant victory for Diddy’s defense team, as a RICO violation could have resulted in a 20-year sentence.
The trial’s outcome has sparked reactions from various celebrities and legal experts, with many acknowledging the significance of Diddy’s acquittal on the more serious charges. While prosecutors built a strong case, they failed to meet the threshold for a RICO conviction, which could have led to a much harsher sentence. As Diddy awaits sentencing, the focus shifts to the potential impact of the case on his public image and the broader implications for legal standards in similar cases. The sentencing hearing, which could be expedited, will determine the final outcome of this high-profile trial, with attorney Geragos and his team confident in a relatively short sentence for their client.