Diddy is mounting a fresh legal challenge in his ongoing federal case, and his latest argument is turning heads.
The Hip-Hop mogul’s legal team has filed a new appeal brief claiming his controversial “freak-off” parties should be protected under the First Amendment.
The filing is part of the Bad Boy founder’s continued effort to overturn his conviction tied to the transportation of individuals to engage in prostitution.
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Earlier in the trial, the 56-year-old was acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges. However, a jury did convict him of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.
His legal team is now arguing that the so-called “freak-offs” were closer to amateur adult film productions than prostitution, and therefore should fall under constitutional free speech protections.
Prosecutors strongly disagree and previously pushed back on that interpretation. Per their filing:
“[Combs’] convictions do not raise any concern under the First Amendment,” prosecutors argued, noting that participants were allegedly not informed in advance that the encounters would be filmed or viewed.
The appeal marks what could be the final written argument before oral hearings begin on April 9 at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, where each side will have just ten minutes to argue their case.
According to reports, the defense is seeking either an acquittal or resentencing, arguing the current 50-month sentence is significantly higher than the average for Mann Act convictions.
As it stands, the music embattled star’s projected release date is April 25, 2028.
STFU and do your time and be glad that’s all you have to do