Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs want the disgraced music mogul's appeals case before a judge as soon as possible, believing his 50-month prison sentence should be drastically reduced, according to court papers filed Wednesday.
Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro said her side has an agreement from the government to expedite Combs' appeals schedule, with both sides arguing before a judge in April.
A federal jury in New York City convicted Combs in early July on two counts of interstate prostitution. He was acquitted on more serious racketeering and sex trafficking allegations.
"Sean’s appeal will challenge the unfair use of the Mann Act, an infamous statute with a sordid history, to prosecute him for sex with consenting adults," Shapiro said.
He pleaded not guilty and has maintained his innocence.
He was sentenced this month to 50 months in prison. His expected release date is May 8, 2028, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Combs has already spent 14 months behind bars since his arrest last year, and he could benefit from credits for good behavior and/or appellate court victories.
"Mr. Combs expects to challenge both his conviction and sentence in his appeal. An expedited briefing and argument schedule is critical to ensure that Mr. Combs's appeal of his sentence does not become moot while the appeal is pending," the filing says.
"Accordingly, to ensure that Mr. Combs could meaningfully benefit from any appellate ruling vacating his sentence, we have proposed a schedule that would expedite this Court's consideration of Mr. Combs's appeal."
A representative for federal prosecutors could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
