What’s Subsequent for Diddy: Dozens of Civil Lawsuits and a Ruined Popularity

The proceedings round Sean “Diddy” Combs’ prison case have wrapped up, however his issues are removed from it.

In a listening to on Friday, he was sentenced to 50 months behind bars for the 2 prostitution-related costs for which he was discovered responsible in July.

The picture of the rapper leaving the courtroom escorted by two US Marshals marked the prison case coming to an in depth, a continuation of his life behind bars, and a way forward for authorized challenges and reputational injury.

A consultant for Combs didn’t reply to a request for remark from Enterprise Insider concerning the sentencing or his future endeavors.

The mogul, who has denied all accusations of sexual assault, nonetheless faces dozens of civil circumstances — and judgment within the court docket of public opinion.

On the peak of his affect, Combs appeared nearly untouchable; he was value almost $1 billion, had an influential circle of mates, and ran profitable companies.

Now, “his status has been shattered into billions of bits,” Eric Schiffer, a star model and status strategist, informed Enterprise Insider. “It would by no means be the identical.”

After a disappointing verdict, sentencing was the prosecutors’ final shot at redemption

Following the July verdict, which was seen as a partial win for the protection, sentencing was Combs’ prosecutors’ final likelihood to alter the narrative of the case.

Time behind bars exhibits “an institutional assist for girls’s testimony concerning the sorts of violence that they’re going via by the hands of those perpetrators,” Meenakshi Gigi Durham, a professor of feminist media research on the College of Iowa, informed Enterprise Insider.

Whereas he was cleared of the extra extreme sex-trafficking costs that would have meant life in jail, the sentence doled out by the decide was nonetheless a rejection of Combs’s lengthy shot sentencing request of time served.

“The sentence imposed in the present day acknowledges the affect of the intense offenses he dedicated,” legal professionals for Cassandra Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, mentioned in an announcement on Friday. Ventura’s civil swimsuit towards Combs largely catapulted his habits into the highlight, and safety footage displaying Combs beating her was a essential a part of the federal government’s case.

The video and proof made public in his prison trial could present fodder for the handfuls of civil fits he faces.

Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, whose agency has filed roughly 50 lawsuits towards Combs, mentioned in a publish on Instagram on Thursday that “many extra” lawsuits will probably be filed.

How Combs’ dangerous boy standing has sullied his status — and earnings potential

These civil circumstances may imply extra reputational injury. Every one will “enable a media cycle to repeat” and “amplify the pariah” narrative, Schiffer mentioned.

They might additionally imply tens of millions in settlements or payouts — to not point out authorized charges — which is able to hit Combs the place it hurts: his fortune just isn’t what it as soon as was.

On the peak of his wealth, Combs was value almost $1 billion, due to an empire that prolonged to the worlds of music, vogue, alcohol, and media.

However that empire started to crumble earlier than the prison costs have been filed, because the “freak offs,” drug abuse, and violence towards ladies grew to become uncovered.

He is acknowledged as a lot.

“Due to my conduct, I’ve misplaced all of my enterprise. I’ve misplaced my profession,” Combs wrote in a presentencing letter to the decide. “I’ve destroyed my status and stained the status of people who labored for me.”

Combs’ alcohol offers, which netted him lots of of tens of millions, dried up. His companion, Diageo, minimize ties, terminating Combs’ relationship with Cîroc vodka and paying him out for his stake in DeLeón tequila.

His clothes and way of life model, Sean John, which had already plummeted in worth, was pulled from Macy’s. He additionally stepped down as chairman of the media firm Revolt and bought his stake.

In the meantime, Unhealthy Boy Information’ music catalog has been chipped away at, and his personal songs aren’t value what they was once.

“Licensees could develop into hesitant to make use of the music,” David Herlihy, a professor at Northeastern College who makes a speciality of music licensing and copyright, informed Enterprise Insider in July. Plus, he added, there’s “no touring from the cellblock.”

In fact, he is in no way a poor man. He nonetheless has his mansions — two on Miami’s Star Island and one in Los Angeles that is available on the market for $61.5 million — and personal jet, “Love Air,” which is on the market.

Whereas Combs informed the decide on Friday that he does not “care concerning the fame or the information or creating wealth or performing,” when he does stroll free, he could attempt to get again within the recreation.

He is already taken his entrepreneurial spirit to jail, the place he’s instructing a enterprise course.

Simply do not count on a celebrity-packed white occasion, lifetime achievement award, or key to town anytime quickly.

“Folks neglect, recollections fade, he’s a grasp marketer,” Schiffer mentioned.”However the gravity of his previous will not ever enable him to ascend to the standing and elevation he had earlier than; these days are accomplished.”