Prosecution blasts Diddy for scheduling event before sentencing

(NewsNation) — During Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing hearing in federal court Friday, the prosecution slammed him for committing to a speaking engagement next week before knowing his fate.

In a Sept. 29 letter to the court, Giovanni Sairras — executive director of the group RE Entry One Inc. — said Combs was scheduled for “teaching engagements” at a prison in South Florida this month, which would begin Monday. The letter included the phrase “following his release,” indicating an assumption Combs would not be in jail next week.

“Following his release, Mr. Combs will also lead the same entrepreneurship, mentorship, life skills, and personal development programming within the community, specifically in underserved neighborhoods such as Little Haiti and parts of Miami Gardens. This expansion will provide vital resources while serving as a meaningful step in Mr. Combs’ rehabilitation and reintegration as he gives back directly to the community,” the letter reads. 

“When an individual has the willingness to create his own life skills and entrepreneurship program, despite his legal challenges, that demonstrates reform and rehabilitation,” Sairras said in court Friday.

Prosecutor Christy Slavik called the scheduled engagements “the height of hubris.”

The prosecution is seeking a minimum of 11 years in prison and has said that Combs is “unrepentant.”

Defense lawyer Xavier Donaldson told the judge Friday that the speaking events were meant to show what Combs would do “if the court let Mr. Combs out.”

Combs was convicted on a pair of prostitution-related charges three months ago.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.