Overview

• At a September 25 hearing, Combs’ lawyers urged vacatur or a new trial, arguing his conduct was “commercial voyeurism” and protected as amateur pornography rather than prostitution under the Mann Act.
• Prosecutors countered that the statute targets transportation for prostitution, citing evidence that Combs arranged and financed interstate travel for escorts, directed encounters, and that violence and drugs accompanied the events.
• U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian reserved decision and said he would rule “very shortly,” keeping sentencing on the calendar for next week.
• Combs remains detained at Brooklyn’s MDC after repeated bail denials; the defense has asked for a 14‑month, time‑served sentence, while prosecutors are due to file their recommendation by September 29 and have indicated they will seek several more years.
• Family members attended the hearing, and supporters submitted character letters including testimonials from inmates about a course Combs taught; he told relatives, “Every day, every hour, I get closer to coming home.”