Sean “Diddy” Combs will go to trial after rejecting the last plea deal

Jury selection for what will be one of the largest trials in the music industry is scheduled to start on Monday.

The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is officially imminent. The 55-year-old turned down a last plea deal from the prosecution on Thursday, May 1. When asked if he turned down the federal offer, Combs responded, “Yes, I did,” to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian on his decision to stand trial, according to PEOPLE Magazine. 

Combs also refused to accept a plea agreement last week. In order to make sure the Harlem native understood the plea deal, prosecutors asked Judge Subramanian if he could “allocute” Combs on the possible settlement, even though the specifics were never made public. Combs declined the offer.

The Hip-Hop mogul made it apparent last year that he was willing to face trial and testify in order to refute the horrible charges against him, despite being given the chance to accept a plea agreement. Attorney Marc Agnifilo stated that he and his client will use the incident to teach others who are subjected to unjust government persecution a valuable lesson in TMZ’s documentary, The Downfall of Diddy: Indictment. 

The Grammy winner has been the target of numerous civil lawsuits from numerous alleged victims and has been accused of rape, abuse, and assault since her arrest in September 2024. His attempt to be released on bond was denied by several judges, therefore he has remained in custody.

Opening remarks and jury selection for Combs’ criminal trial are scheduled for May 12 after the trial starts Monday, May 5. The official charges against him are transportation to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking, and racketeering conspiracy. 

The mogul’s demise was sparked by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s historic lawsuit in November 2023. She would testify as Victim-1 using her true name. A horrifying video showing Combs physically abusing Ventura was also permitted to be shown in court, the judge decided.