Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has officially confirmed that they’ve requested a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, as the hip-hop mogul remains incarcerated ahead of his October sentencing.
Combs’ federal trial ended in early July after nearly two months of proceedings. The Bad Boy Records founder was found guilty on two counts of transportation for prostitution, though he was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges. He faces up to 10 years for each of the two counts.
His attorney, Nicole Westmoreland, confirmed that they requested the pardon when asked by CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister about any communication with Trump. “Yes. My understanding is that we have reached out,” she admitted.
Regarding the pardon request, in a recent Newsmax interview, with Rob Finnerty, Trump admitted that Diddy’s past remarks about him complicate the decision. “It’s hard, you know? We’re human beings. And we don’t like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements… It makes it more difficult to do.”
Combs’ legal team had also requested a $50 million bond to release him ahead of sentencing, but Judge Arun Subramanian denied the request. The judge cited a “years-long pattern of violence” and a lack of convincing evidence that Combs would not pose a threat if released.
Since then, Combs’ team has recently requested their fourth bail request but was denied again by Judge Subramanian. “Even if the flight-or-danger requirement was satisfied, there are no ‘exceptional reasons’ warranting a departure from what Congress has required.”
In the request, Combs claimed authorities are after him, and the conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are allegedly poor.
Currently, no official decision has been made regarding the presidential pardon, but Combs’ legal team remains optimistic. “Think that Mr. Combs is a very hopeful person, and I believe he remains hopeful,” attorney Westmoreland stated
