The appeal focuses on whether prosecutors correctly applied provisions of the Mann Act, a 1910 statute originally enacted to combat forced prostitution across state lines. Shapiro contends the government misused the law because Combs did not receive money for the travel in question. According to earlier defense statements, Combs allegedly invited male escorts to accompany him and his romantic partners but did not profit from their activity. He maintains that the absence of financial gain places his conduct outside the scope of the counts on which he was convicted.
During trial, federal prosecutors argued that arranging and paying for interstate travel to facilitate sex acts constituted transportation for prostitution under the statute. Jurors accepted that view on two specific trips but rejected broader conspiracy claims involving sex trafficking and racketeering. The district judge imposed a sentence exceeding four years, consistent with advisory federal guidelines.
In the new filing, the defense proposed an expedited briefing calendar that would require the government to respond within a condensed period and would place the case on the next available argument session. Shapiro said such a timeline is warranted because, absent swift action, Combs could complete most or all of his sentence before the court issues a decision. If that occurred, the appeal’s practical impact would be limited to whether the convictions remain on his record rather than whether he remains incarcerated.
The U.S. attorney’s office has not yet publicly indicated whether it will oppose the accelerated timetable. Ordinarily, the Second Circuit allows several months for briefs and schedules oral arguments only after filings are complete. Appellate courts may grant expedition when liberty interests face imminent harm, though such requests are evaluated case by case. Information on typical procedures is available on the Second Circuit’s official website (ca2.uscourts.gov).
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Combs, known for chart-topping albums and ventures in fashion and spirits, has remained at the Brooklyn facility since sentencing. Bureau of Prisons records show he is classified as eligible for standard good-conduct credits, and his final release date may shift if Congress or the Bureau modifies earning policies before 2028.
No hearing date on the motion for expedition has been set. The appellate court can decide the matter on written submissions or order a brief appearance by counsel. If the panel grants the request, briefing could conclude early next year, positioning the case for argument several months later. A denial would place the matter on the court’s regular docket, where criminal appeals often take more than a year to reach decision.
Combs continues to maintain his innocence on the two counts upheld by the jury. While he does not contest the evidence showing he covered travel costs for escorts, he argues that the statutory elements require proof of a financial motive, which he says was absent. The forthcoming appeal will center on whether the district judge’s jury instructions and the government’s theory of prosecution correctly stated the law.
Until the Second Circuit rules, Combs remains under the supervision of the Bureau of Prisons. Should he obtain a reversal or a new trial, his custody status would depend on the appellate outcome and any subsequent proceedings in district court.
Crédito da imagem: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
