WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 20: Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Sean "Diddy" Combs Fulfills $1 Million Pledge To Howard University At Howard Homecoming – Yardfest at Howard University on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images f

Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of prostitution-related offences but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. Here is a timeline of his career and legal troubles.

1993

Combs establishes his record label Bad Boy Records, bringing along rapper Christopher Wallace (the Notorious B.I.G.) from their former label.

1996

Under the name 'Puff Daddy', Combs releases his first solo album, titled "No Way Out," which later wins a Grammy Award for best rap album.

1999

Combs pleads guilty in New York state court to harassment for attacking another rapper's manager and is sentenced to one day of anger management class.

Several months later, Combs is charged with weapons offences over a shooting at a club in New York's Times Square but is acquitted at trial.

2001

A Detroit radio host sues Combs for assault, claiming the rap mogul's associates roughed him up and destroyed an interview tape.

Combs denies wrongdoing and is ultimately cleared by a jury.

2003

A former business partner sues Combs for allegedly threatening him with a baseball bat.

Combs denies the allegations, and the case is dismissed after an appeals court finds the statute of limitations had expired.

2008

Combs privately settles a lawsuit by a man who claimed the mogul punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub.

2015

Combs is arrested for aggravated assault after an argument with his son's football coach in Los Angeles.

The charges are later dropped.

2017

Combs' former personal chef sues the mogul for sexual harassment and retaliation.

The case is settled for an undisclosed amount two years later

16 November 2023

Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura sues Combs in New York federal court for rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse.

They settle the case for $20 million a day later.

17 May 2024

CNN releases footage purporting to show Combs violently assaulting Ventura at a hotel in Los Angeles on 5 March 2016.

19 May 2024

Combs posts an apology video for the Ventura incident, saying he is "truly sorry" for his "inexcusable" actions.

14 October 2024

Combs is accused of assault in six new civil lawsuits filed by an attorney who said he was representing 120 people who accused Combs of abuse.

16 September 2024

Combs is arrested in New York and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution.

He pleads not guilty the following day, and a judge denies him bail.

4 April 2025

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan file an expanded indictment charging Combs with five criminal counts. Combs pleads not guilty two weeks later.

5 May 2025

Combs' trial begins with jury selection before US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court.

24 June 2025

Prosecutors rest their case after six weeks of testimony.

The defence calls no witnesses of its own, but shows jurors text messages between Combs and Ventura.

2 July 2025

Combs found guilty of prostitution-related offenses, acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.