By Luc Cohen and Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs apologized to his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura on Friday at the hip-hop mogul's sentencing over prostitution charges. Jurors at Combs' trial were shown video of him assaulting Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known professionally as Cassie. "I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I caused to her, emotionally or physically," said Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his September 2024 arrest. "My actions were disgusting, shameful and sick." U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian was expected to announce the sentence after Combs' remarks. At the outset of the hearing on Friday morning, the judge acknowledged that Combs had expressed remorse for some of his conduct, but said he had not apologized for the prostitution offenses at the heart of the conviction. A jury on July 2 convicted Combs, 55, on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances – sometimes known as "Freak Offs" – with Combs' girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated. The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence. Those charges hinged on prosecutors' accusation that Combs used violence and threats to coerce two of his girlfriends – Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane – to take part in the encounters. Combs also apologized to Jane. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he said. The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs is credited with elevating hip-hop's stature in American culture. The New York-born entrepreneur is one of the most prominent men in the entertainment industry to have faced trial on sex crimes charges. COMBS FACES UP TO 20 YEARS Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction after sentencing. His lawyers acknowledged he had physically abused his girlfriends, but argued they willingly took part in the sexual performances. He faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge has wide discretion in crafting a punishment. Defense lawyers say the appropriate sentence is 14 months, which would mean Combs would be released by the end of the year after receiving credit for time served. Prosecutors are pushing for a sentence of at least 11-1/4 years. At the hearing, prosecutor Christy Slavik said the defense was improperly seeking to portray Combs' conduct as a "minor consequence of a sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle," and argued the judge should consider his abuse of his girlfriends. "To not account for it now would be to let the defendant get away with years of domestic violence and abuse," Slavik said. Combs' defense lawyer Brian Steel said the conduct that led to the trial came while his client was in the throes of "a ferocious drug addiction," and noted that he had already spent 12 months and 17 days in jail. "Sean has been punished severely already," Steel said. COMBS' CHILDREN URGE MERCY Before Combs spoke, his children urged leniency for their father, telling Subramanian that he has become a better man in the year since his arrest. "We aren't here to excuse any of his mistakes," Combs' 18-year-old daughter Jessie Combs said through tears. "But your honor, he is still our dad, and we still need him present in our lives." Combs put his head down as his children spoke, and had tears in his eyes when their remarks concluded. Combs' lawyers also showed the court a video about Combs' background and philanthropy. The video showed Combs playing with his children, speaking to public school students, and running the New York Marathon to raise money for charity. (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Nick Zieminski and Bill Berkrot)
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