Fallen music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is seeking to fast-track his appeal while serving a more than four-year federal prison sentence for prostitution-related offenses.
Attorneys for the 55-year-old record producer filed papers Wednesday with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals requesting an expedited hearing in April to review his conviction and sentence.
The filing noted that Combs has already served about 14 months of his 50-month sentence and may qualify for reductions through participation in substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation programs initiated under the First Step Act.
The founder of Bad Boy Records, once a defining figure of 1990s hip-hop, was convicted in July of transporting women and male sex workers across state lines for what prosecutors described as drug-fueled encounters over several years. He was acquitted of more severe racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, which carried potential life sentences.
At his October sentencing, Combs apologized for his conduct, calling it “disgusting” and “shameful.”
The presiding judge at the hearing highlighted the bravery of the women who testified against Combs before issuing the 50-month term.
In a letter submitted to the court, the media mogul said he had experienced a “spiritual reset” during his incarceration and vowed to stay “committed to the journey of remaining a drug-free, non-violent and peaceful person.” His attorneys later told the court that the consequences of his conviction extended beyond his own life, saying his companies collapsed and more than 100 employees, who were laid off, struggled to find new work following his arrest.
Combs was recently transferred from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey. His legal team requested the move so Combs could join a drug treatment program that could further reduce his time behind bars.
According to the Bureau of Prisons, Combs is slated for release on May 8, 2028, assuming he receives credit for good behavior. However, his legal team maintains that the timeline could change dramatically if the appellate court reverses his conviction or if the case is dismissed outright.
Combs’s attorneys emphasized the need for a swift hearing so that, if the conviction is overturned, Combs could still take advantage of any potential sentence reduction.
Beyond the appeal, Combs continues to face numerous civil suits tied to the same allegations that led to his criminal conviction. The legal challenges will likely define the next several years of his public and personal life.
