Sean Combs letter to judge

Photo Credit: Steve DiMatteo

Music mogul Sean Combs penned a personal letter to the judge ahead of his sentencing on Friday for his conviction on two counts of prostitution.

On the eve before his sentencing on prostitution-related charges, Sean “Diddy” Combs submitted a letter to the judge, writing that he had been “humbled” by the criminal case against him. He also vowed to “never commit a crime again.”

“This has been the hardest two years of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself,” wrote Combs. “In my life, I have made many mistakes, but I am no longer running from them. I am so sorry for the hurt that I caused, but I understand that the mere words ‘I’m sorry’ will never be good enough as these words alone cannot erase the pain from the past.”

In the letter, Combs apologized for his abuse of ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whose testimony was central in the government’s case against him. The letter is the first substantial acknowledgement of the case Combs has made on a public level.

“I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved,” Combs wrote. “I’m sorry for that and always will be. My domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry. […] I honestly feel sorry for something that I couldn’t forgive someone else for: if they put their hands on one of my daughters.”

Combs mentioned the “good things” that have come from his incarceration, including the fact he is “now sober for the first time in 25 years.” He also wrote about his experience teaching a business class to his fellow inmates, who “wanted to learn what I did to become a successful business man.”

“I started teaching a 6 week program called Free Game (title given by my fellow inmates), which I was able to have approved and sanctioned by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP),” he continued. “I don’t just teach about my success; I also teach about my mistakes and failures. It has truly been a blessing to do something positive in a negative situation.”

Reportedly, Combs’ fellow inmates also penned letters to the judge to speak to the music mogul’s character. Rumors have also emerged that his fellow inmates applauded when Combs was acquitted on the most serious charges against him.

“Today, I humbly ask you for another chance,” Combs’ letter concluded. “Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Meanwhile, letters to the judge have also come in from Cassie Ventura, her parents, and several others. In her own letter to the judge, Ventura asked him to consider “the many lives that Sean Combs has upended with his abuse and control.”

Both sides have offered their recommended sentences for Combs. The prosecution, calling Combs “unrepenting,” has asked the judge to sentence him to no less than 11 years and three months.

His defense has asked for no more than 14 months—which would account for the year he has already served, and would allow him to walk free before the end of 2025. The defense insists that “a sentence of no more than 14 months” is the only sentence “consistent with Congress’ instruction” to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among those found guilty of similar conduct.

Sean Combs is scheduled to appear in court on Friday for his sentencing on the two prostitution-related convictions, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years for each count.