Diddy Aims to Overturn Conviction — Former SBF Jailmate Files Appeal Notice

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who shares a prison with former cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, is looking to appeal his recent conviction. After being sentenced to 50 months in prison for prostitution-related charges, Combs has formally filed a notice of appeal in a New York federal court. Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried is appealing his conviction tied to FTX's collapse.

Key Takeaways

Diddy is appealing his 50-month prison sentence for prostitution-related charges.
He was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
Diddy must pay a $500,000 fine and serve five years of supervised release.
He is currently incarcerated at MDC in New York City.
Bankman-Fried, also in jail, is appealing fraud convictions linked to the FTX collapse.

Diddy Files Appeal Against His Prison Sentence

On October 20, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, the former jailmate of Sam Bankman-Fried, filed a formal notice of appeal in New York federal court, seeking to overturn his prison sentence. Combs was convicted in July on two counts related to prostitution and received a 50-month prison sentence earlier this month. He was acquitted of more serious charges like racketeering and sex trafficking.

In addition to his prison time, Combs has been ordered to pay a hefty fine of $500,000 and will be under supervised release for five years following his sentence. Currently, he is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in New York City, where he was previously housed in the same block as Bankman-Fried.

Sources from a September 2024 NBC News report indicate that Combs and Bankman-Fried shared a "barrack-style area" of the prison meant for high-profile inmates, accommodating no more than 20 individuals. This facility has gained notoriety for its challenging living conditions and increased violence, particularly incidents involving stabbings.

Bankman-Fried's Ongoing Legal Battles

While Diddy pursues his appeal, Bankman-Fried is simultaneously appealing his own conviction. He was found guilty in 2023 on seven counts of fraud relating to the massive collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. The former crypto mogul is facing a substantial 25-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating a scheme that led to the loss of $8 billion for investors involved with FTX.

Several of Bankman-Fried’s former associates have testified against him, including Gary Wang, the FTX chief technical officer; Nishad Singh, the former head of engineering; and Caroline Ellison, who was the CEO of Alameda Research.

Just over a week ago, Bankman-Fried took to social media to assert that his arrest in 2022 was intended to obstruct his impending testimony before Congress. The next hearing in his case is set for November 3.