The wins keep coming for Diddy as his big victory deals an expensive blow to the government’s plan

Sean “Diddy” Combs will likely maintain control of his vast business empire following a split verdict in his sex trafficking trial. The jury acquitted him of sex trafficking and racketeering charges while convicting him on two counts related to prostitution.

According to People, before his September 2024 arrest, Combs had built a substantial fortune through various business ventures, including Bad Boy Records, the Sean John fashion label, and his beverage enterprises. Forbes estimated his net worth at $400 million in June 2024, though this marked a significant decrease from his previous valuation of $740 million in 2019.

“The government overreached. They wanted a RICO conviction so they could then go seize [Combs’] assets under RICO forfeiture laws,” Los Angeles civil trial lawyer David Ring told USA Today. Ring added that instead of facing life imprisonment, Combs will likely serve a couple of years in prison before returning to manage his business empire.

How does the verdict affect Diddy’s business holdings and future?

Legal experts suggest that the acquittal on racketeering charges has significantly reduced the government’s ability to seize Combs’s assets. However, prosecutors might still pursue a smaller portion of his assets if they can prove these were connected to the prostitution charges he was convicted of.

The hip-hop mogul’s business interests had already taken some hits before the trial. In November 2023, he stepped down as chairman of Revolt, the television company he founded, and later fully divested from it. Several brands also ended their partnerships with his e-commerce platform, Empower Global.

Despite these setbacks, Bad Boy Records, which has generated sales of over 500 million records, remained operational when Combs was indicted. His music continues to be available on major streaming platforms, providing a steady source of income.
The verdict doesn’t end Combs’s legal challenges, as he still faces multiple lawsuits alleging physical and sexual abuse. He has already paid $20 million to settle a lawsuit filed by his former partner Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura in 2023 Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, in 2023, and ongoing lawsuits will require additional legal expenses.