Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is fighting back against his recent criminal conviction, filing a notice of appeal on October 20, 2025, with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The appeal challenges both the conviction and four-year prison sentence handed down earlier this month after a high-profile trial that captivated public attention throughout the summer.
Combs was convicted on two counts of violating the Mann Act for transporting individuals for prostitution, though the jury acquitted him of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking after three days of deliberation. The trial, which concluded on July 2, 2025, featured testimony from multiple accusers including his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman identified as Jane Doe, who alleged various forms of misconduct spanning nearly a decade.
The jury delivered a mixed verdict, convicting Combs on Mann Act violations while rejecting the more serious trafficking charges.
On October 3, Judge James Peterson sentenced Combs to four years and two months in federal prison, coupled with a $500,000 fine and five years of supervised release following his incarceration. The appeal will move forward under the direction of attorney Alexandra A.E. Shapiro of Shapiro Arato Bach LLP and will be reviewed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
The legal action comes amid a storm of controversy surrounding the music producer, who has faced multiple civil lawsuits since 2017 alleging sexual misconduct, including accusations of rape, trafficking, and physical assault. Federal agents previously conducted searches of his properties in March 2024, seizing weapons and narcotics along with large quantities of lubricants and other evidence. Court records show the formal conviction and sentencing were entered on October 15, 2025 and subsequently amended on October 16 to correct clerical errors. A former male employee has also accused Combs of sexual battery in a separate legal action.
While specific grounds for the appeal have not yet been publicly disclosed, legal experts anticipate the defense team will argue procedural errors occurred during either the trial or sentencing phases. The potential impact on Combs’ substantial music royalties remains uncertain as performance rights organizations typically have policies regarding payments to convicted artists. The electronic filing was officially transmitted to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals immediately after submission, initiating what is expected to be a lengthy appellate process. Industry insiders speculate the conviction could significantly impact Combs’ streaming revenue across major platforms where his extensive catalog remains available to listeners worldwide.
Combs’ legal team has maintained a strategic silence regarding their appeal strategy, even as the case continues to generate significant media coverage due to the defendant’s celebrity status and the serious nature of the allegations involved.
