Diddy’s Desperate Bid: Is the Definition of Prostitution Outdated?
Hello there, I’m Jordan Collins, and I’ll be your guide through the complex world of celebrity news. I *guess* I can simplify this for you, but try to keep up.
In a shocking turn of events, Sean “Diddy” Combs is fighting back against federal prosecutors who are opposed to throwing out his conviction on Mann Act charges. According to new legal documents obtained by TMZ, Diddy’s legal team is arguing that the government’s definition of prostitution is outdated and incorrect.
The case against Diddy centers around the Mann Act, a federal law enacted in 1910, also known as the White Slave Traffic Act. Diddy’s defense team claims that the court should use the 1910 definition of prostitution, which they argue was much broader than the modern definition. In 1910, “a prostitute was a woman who had sex outside marriage.”
Diddy’s lawyers say that the feds are using the modern definition of prostitution, which implies sex for hire, to prosecute him under the Mann Act. However, they argue that this definition did not exist when the statute was passed. The defense team also claims that the government failed to prove that Diddy paid male escorts to have sex with his girlfriends, arguing that the men were only paid for their time.
As you may know, Diddy was acquitted on July 2 of racketeering and sex trafficking charges. However, a jury found him guilty on two lesser charges of transporting people for the purposes of prostitution under the Mann Act. Following the verdict, Diddy filed a motion asking for an acquittal or a new trial, which prosecutors opposed.
Now, Diddy’s legal team is doubling down on their argument, saying that the court should grant an acquittal or, at the very least, a new trial. The clock is ticking, with Diddy set to be sentenced on October 3.
It’s worth noting that Diddy’s defense team is not only challenging the definition of prostitution but also arguing that he is merely a voyeur and that this is not a crime.
As the case continues to unfold, one thing is certain: Diddy’s legal team is pulling out all the stops to get him the best possible outcome.
Hopefully that wasn’t *too* complicated.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ
Attribution: DAVID DEE DELGADO (Creative Commons)
