Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’s legal team has officially reached out to US President Donald Trump to seek a presidential pardon for his recent conviction on prostitution-related charges.
Seeking Trump’s Pardon
Nicole Westmoreland, a member of Combs’ legal team, told CNN that discussions regarding clemency have taken place. “It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon,” she said.
What Trump Said About The Pardon
However, Trump has publicly signalled that he is not inclined to grant the request. In an interview with Newsmax on Friday, the former president acknowledged his past association with Combs but expressed reservations.“I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great and he seemed like a nice guy,” Trump said. “I didn’t know him well, but when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”When asked directly if that meant he was unlikely to pardon Combs, Trump replied, “I would say so, yeah.”
Diddy Denied Bail
This update comes a day after Diddy was reportedly denied bail by a New York federal judge over no “exceptional reasons” to release him before his sentencing. Judge Arun Subramanian has asked attorneys to find “clear and convincing” evidence to prove that Diddy won’t flee or pose a danger to others or any community, including his victims and witnesses. He asserted that the rapper posed a risk of “flight or danger.”Subramanian also detailed on the conditions that would confirm Diddy’s release and said, “Exceptional reasons’ warranting release where it was undisputed that the defendant posed no risk of flight or danger, and where ‘unique circumstances’ counseled release, including the defendant’s advanced ‘age and serious medical conditions, which require care that the MDC may not be able to provide.”
Diddy Convicted on 2 Charges
Combs, was convicted last month on two counts of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He was acquitted of more serious charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, after a high-profile and extended trial that featured allegations of severe abuse.Sentencing is scheduled for October 3.
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