Cassie, 50 Cent and other celebrities react to Diddy verdict

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.

(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering but was convicted on two counts of transportation for prostitution.

Combs has been convicted of charges related to his former girlfriends, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” in court, in his federal sex crimes trial.

“This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,” Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement to NewsNation. “Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.”  

Wigdor added that Ventura left “an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”

“We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial,” he said. “She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion.  This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”

Combs’ family applauded in the courtroom after the verdict was reached.

Dawn Richard’s attorney: Diddy is a ‘violent bully’

Lisa Bloom, a victims’ rights attorney representing former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, who served as a government witness, told NewsNation the verdict was “a shocking outcome against a violent bully. I will only work harder for the two Diddy accusers I represent with different civil charges against him.”

Arick Fudali, a partner at the Bloom Firm, told NewsNation, “We are certainly disappointed that the government could not prove their primary claims beyond a reasonable doubt. While this is the end of the criminal case against for the government, this is just the beginning for our clients in their civil cases, which are different than the criminal case.  We intend to fight for justice against this violent individual and will not back down. I hope this is not a deterrent to other victims who are currently suffering in silence to stand up and come forward against their alleged abusers.”

Tamara Holder, a Chicago-based women’s rights and sexual abuse attorney, told NewsNation that the “Mann Act is the weakest count — he took the girlfriends across state lines, hence a federal charge. Sentencing is going to be interesting. He can be sentenced to up to ten years, but this was a major loss for the prosecution, so he may get a deferred sentence if the sentencing guidelines allow for it. Epic loss for the government.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Mann Act is an anti-sex trafficking law that prohibits taking anyone across state lines for illegal sexual activity.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said in court that “Mr. Agnifilo [Combs’ lawyer] tried to downplay the significance” regarding the charges, “but the record says otherwise.”

50 Cent reacts to Diddy verdict

Rapper 50 Cent has been posting his thoughts throughout Combs’ trial on social media. On Wednesday, he shared on Instagram a smiling AI-created image of himself with the caption that read in part: “Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man ! 👏👏👏 beat the Rico.”

Aubrey O’Day says Diddy verdict makes her ‘physically ill’

Singer Aubrey O’Day, a former member of Danity Kane, reacted to the Combs’ verdict on her Instagram stories and said the jury’s decision on the sex trafficking charge made her “physically ill.”

“Oh, this makes me physically ill. Cassie probably feels so horrible. I’m gonna vomit,” O’Day said.

In a statement, O’Day said, “Let’s be clear: the courtroom operates by the law, but that DOES NOT mean it delivers justice. Nor is it the best place to develop the moral compass this world so urgently needs. The pattern of behavior Sean Combs has shown us over the decades is not a mystery. It’s a warning.”

She went on to say,” Women, Nor men, Nor ANY ARTIST – are the property of those with the most wealth, fame & power. We are not disposable. 12 people on a jury will not be deciding that for us.”

Justin Combs’ attorney: Diddy case was ‘ludicrous’

Jeffrey Lichtman, a criminal defense attorney who represented Combs’ son, Justin, told NewsNation, “The case was ludicrous, and the jury saw through it. They saw the case was overly charged. Could he get 7-10 years [in prison], he could. Five years is a possibility. This case was a joke as far as a federal case.”

Harvey Weinstein’s attorney on Diddy verdict

Veteran New York trial lawyer, Arthur Aidala, who represents Harvey Weinstein, told NewsNation, “The judge is allowed to take everything he heard into account when he makes his decision about sentencing.  The final chapter is sentencing. When it’s a sex crimes case, he [Combs] can’t go to a camp, it’s a real jail.  The victory is he’s not going to die in prison.”

Kesha: ‘Cassie, I believe you’

After the verdict on Wednesday, the singer Kesha posted on X: “Cassie, I believe you. I love you. Your strength is a beacon for every survivor.”

The singer announced last year she would change the lyrics to her 2010 song “TiK ToK” which originally included the lyric “Wake up in the morning’ feeling like P. Diddy.”

Rosie O’Donnell critical of Diddy verdict

On Instagram, Rosie O’Donnell blasted the verdict saying, “i guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion- wow – they just think women stay because what? money – fame – “they love the abuse” – what a f—ing joke – this decision got me angry.”

O’Donnell has been an active voice in the criminal justice world, advocating for the release of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Civil court accusers’ attorney: ‘Diddy dodged a big bullet’

In a statement provided to NewsNation, Tony Buzbee, who represents several Combs accusers in civil cases, said, “Diddy dodged a big bullet today. But that doesn’t end the saga.

“The thrust of the prosecution’s case was focused solely on two alleged victims, Cassie and Jane, with whom Sean Combs had long-term relationships. The jury found that he violated federal law with regard to the transportation to engage in prostitution but cleared him on the most three most serious charges. Perhaps because of the nature of his relationship with those women and the length of those two relationships, I think the jury struggled with the difficult issue of consent and, more broadly, whether Mr. Combs’ conduct appropriately fit within the RICO statute,” he stated

…”Our clients were not the focus of the prosecution’s case. And those issues are not present in our cases. Our cases instead focus on discrete wrongful conduct allegedly committed by Mr. Combs that would be considered state law crimes if proven. Now that this spectacle is over, we look forward to aggressively pursuing these civil cases to obtain justice for these alleged victims,” his statement continued.

What the Diddy case means for survivors of human trafficking

Rachel Fischer, a forensic nurse expert and sexual assault nurse examiner specializing in anti-trafficking efforts, talked to NewsNation, about the Combs’ verdict and its potential consequences for future human trafficking survivors.

“As someone who has worked extensively in human trafficking case, I’m disappointed but not surprised by the outcome. This trial revealed once again how poorly the public, and even juries, understand the difference between sex trafficking and prostitution. Without a qualified trafficking expert to testify and explain the dynamics of coercion, power, grooming, and control, the jury was left to rely on common misconceptions.”

Fischer continued, “In a case of this magnitude, the prosecution had a responsibility to build a stronger, trauma-informed case from the start. This verdict will likely discourage survivors from coming forward and sends a dangerous message unless we better in future prosecutions. When the prosecution drops the ball in a case like this, it’s the victims and future survivors who pay the price.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.