Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal battles just took a dramatic turn.
Despite hopes for release on bail, federal prosecutors insist the hip-hop mogul must remain behind bars as he awaits sentencing.
With new claims that his prison term could be "substantially higher" than initially estimated, Diddy's future and freedom hang in the balance.
Diddy's Conviction And The Sentence That Could Rise
In early July, Diddy was acquitted of serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have carried life sentences.
However, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution after arranging for girlfriends and male sex workers to travel for encounters he recorded.
Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Initially, prosecutors suggested that sentencing guidelines indicated a four- to five-year prison term.
However, according to the Daily Mail, prosecutors revealed in a Manhattan federal court filing on Thursday that they now believe the sentencing guidelines "will be substantially higher," signaling the possibility of a significantly longer punishment.
They argued that the risk of flight has increased and opposed Diddy's renewed request for release on $50 million bail before his October 3 sentencing.
The Bail Fight And The Judge's Decision
On the day of the verdict, Diddy's defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, argued his client should be granted immediate bail.
However, Judge Arun Subramanian denied the request, ruling that Diddy had not met the standard of showing "by clear and convincing evidence a lack of danger to any person or the community."
Still, the judge allowed Agnifilo to revisit the request. Earlier this week, the defense filed again, citing "severe conditions" at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, where Diddy has been held since his September arrest at a Manhattan hotel.
Agnifilo also argued that Diddy was being unfairly punished for his private lifestyle, writing that the music mogul was targeted for his participation in a "swingers' lifestyle in which he and his girlfriends sometimes invited male sex workers to join them in multiday marathon sex performances."
Prosecutors Push Back Against Diddy's Defense
Prosecutors quickly dismissed the defense's arguments. They said the law requires the disgraced mogul to remain in jail before sentencing unless he can prove exceptional circumstances, which, in their view, he cannot.
They also pushed back against claims of poor jail conditions, noting that "conditions at the federal lockup had improved considerably" before his arrest.
They emphasized Diddy's history, writing, "The defendant's extensive history of violence — and his continued attempt to minimize his recent violent conduct — demonstrates his dangerousness and that he is not amenable to supervision."
They concluded, "The defendant utterly fails to establish by clear and convincing evidence, as required, that he does not pose a danger to the community."
Meanwhile, Agnifilo countered by insisting his client posed no threat.
"Sean Combs will not be violent to anyone. As we said in court, this jury gave him his life back, and he will not squander his second chance at life, nor would he do anything to further jeopardize his seven children not having a father, and four of his children not having a parent at all," he wrote.
Donald Trump Weighs Pardon For Diddy Amid Bail Battle
News of the judge's ruling on Diddy's latest bail application came following reports that President Donald Trump was giving "serious consideration" to a pardon for the rapper.
The potential pardon was said to depend largely on the outcome of the bail hearing.
Trump had earlier hinted at the possibility of granting leniency to the hip-hop mogul, stating, "I would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me. It wouldn't have any impact on me."
According to TMZ, insiders revealed that Trump is "more than open" to pardoning Diddy, but the move hinged on Judge Arun Subramanian's ruling on the rapper's bail petition.
If Diddy were granted bail, Trump might have waited until sentencing before deciding on the pardon.
However, following the denial of bail, the decision could come immediately.
Donald Trump Believes Diddy Was 'Unfairly Targeted'
Reports suggest that Trump sympathizes with Diddy's case, believing that, like himself, the rapper was "unfairly targeted" by federal authorities.
An insider noted that the firing of lead prosecutor Maurene Comey further reinforced this perspective.
The source also claimed that the timing of a potential pardon would be politically advantageous, describing it as "perfect" for shifting public attention away from the Epstein scandal.
The notion of a pardon has been circulating since Trump first mentioned it during a discussion in the Oval Office.
Speaking about his past relationship with the rapper, Trump recalled, per Page Six, "He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics … that relationship busted up, from what I read. I don't know — he didn't tell me that, but I'd read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden."