Sean Combs is seeking release from jail on a $50 million bond following his acquittal on serious federal charges earlier this month.
The hip-hop mogul’s legal team filed a 12-page motion on Tuesday requesting his freedom ahead of his scheduled October 3rd sentencing, according to Rolling Stone.
The Bad Boy Entertainment founder was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges after an eight-week trial. However, he remains convicted on transportation to engage in prostitution charges, which still carry significant prison time. The jury’s verdict spared Combs from a potential life sentence, with the artist reportedly dropping to his knees in relief upon hearing the acquittal on the more serious charges.
Combs has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest last September. His defence team argues there are “exceptional” circumstances warranting his release, including claims he was unfairly prosecuted for his “swingers” lifestyle and concerns about conditions at the detention facility. The 55-year-old faces between 21 to 63 months imprisonment, with prosecutors indicating they may seek an even longer sentence.
The motion addresses previous concerns about Combs posing a danger to the community. His attorneys acknowledge his history of violence towards romantic partners but claim he has not been violent with anyone since his relationship with Casandra “Cassie” Ventura ended in 2018, except for one incident with a woman identified as Jane in June 2024. During the trial, Jane testified that she initiated the physical altercation before Combs punched, stomped and choked her.
“If released on conditions, Sean Combs will not be violent to anyone,” his attorneys wrote in the filing. “This jury gave him his life back, and he will not squander his second chance at life, nor would he do anything to further jeopardise his seven children not having a father, and four of his children not having a parent at all.”
The proposed bail package includes Combs’ Miami mansion as security for the $50 million bond, where he wishes to await sentencing under supervision of the US Pretrial Services Agency. Additional conditions include forfeiting his passport and restricting travel to the Southern District of Florida and Southern District of New York for attorney meetings only.
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US District Judge Arun Subramanian previously rejected an immediate bond motion following the verdict, citing violence concerns and stating it was “impossible” for Combs to demonstrate he posed no danger. Prosecutors have until Thursday to respond to the new motion, whilst defence attorney Nicole Westmoreland confirmed plans to appeal the prostitution conviction, stating: “We’re not going to be satisfied until he’s home.”
