Diddy Judge Acted Like 'Thirteenth Juror' ... Files New Appeal of 'Draconian' Sentence

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Diddy's legal team is ripping Judge Arun Subramanian, accusing him of crossing a line with the 50-month sentence ... and acting more like a juror than a judge.

Diddy filed a new appeal late Tuesday evening, demanding his conviction be overturned, and his release from prison ... or, at the very least, his sentence be lightened. While his lawyers have previously filed multiple appeals, this one singles out Judge Subramanian for acting as the "thirteenth juror" in Diddy's criminal trial.

In the docs, lead appeal attorney Alexandra Shapiro claims the judge's "draconian" 50-month sentence is based on the conduct for which the actual jurors acquited Diddy -- namely, the racketeering and sex trafficking counts.

Shapiro claims Subramanian incorrectly said during sentencing he could consider Diddy's behavior related to the more violent charges -- even though he'd been acquited of them -- which she calls a violation of Diddy's constitutional rights.

TMZ's Top Videos of 2025, Part 1 Death, Crime, Cheating and Airline Chaos!!!

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Hulk Hogan Dead at 71

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THE MOMENT IT HAPPENED
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Hulk Hogan's death came as a shock to the world ... and to our newsroom, where we were shooting one of our TV shows when the Sports Department learned the news. We later learned the WWE star died from a heart attack.

We dove more deeply into Hulk's life and death in our documentary "TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan" ... available to stream on Hulu.

Diddy Found Guilty on 2 Counts, Acquitted of Racketeering, Sex Trafficking

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THE VERDICT IS IN
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Diddy dodged a bullet when he was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering ... charges that could've landed him a life sentence in federal prison.

The music mogul's still doing time for his two Mann Act convictions ... but, check out this clip of our newsroom as the decision was announced -- complete and utter shock!

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50 MONTHS IN THE CLINK
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We were also live-streaming when Diddy received 50 months in federal prison ... even though it seemed like Judge Arun Subramanian might give him a whole lot more time behind bars.

Diddy Betrays His Own Lawyer in Secret Video

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A BREACH IN TRUST
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Diddy is furious at Netflix for dropping the 50 Cent documentary on his legal troubles, but some of the video shot at Diddy's behest almost certainly has his criminal defense lawyer enraged.

There's a video in the doc shot by a guy Diddy hired to chronicle his life ... where he's talking to his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, about his impending arrest. Diddy is enraged at Agnifilo and the entire legal team, barking that they're losing the case.

Diddy has fired off a demand letter to Netflix, claiming the streamer is screwing him over by releasing a video that Diddy -- not the videographer -- owned. But here's the deal. There's a true victim in all of this -- the man who won the criminal case for Diddy -- Marc Agnifilo. We're told he did not know Diddy had someone recording their conversation when they spoke on the phone.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs New Netflix Doc Is 'Shameful Hit Piece' ... Part of 50 Cent's Vendetta

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Sean "Diddy" Combs is steaming mad at Netflix and 50 Cent ... because he's going scorched earth on a new docuseries that's about to hit the streaming service.

In a statement, Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for Diddy, tells TMZ ... "Netflix's so-called 'documentary' is a shameful hit piece" and "confirms that Netflix relied on stolen footage that was never authorized for release."

As you know, 50 promoted the docuseries Monday on "Good Morning America" before its Tuesday release on Netflix, and he previewed never-before-seen footage of Diddy recorded just prior to his September 2024 arrest.

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DIDDY WOULD SAY THE DOC IS "AMAZING"!!!
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50 also had a very different view on what Diddy's reaction would be to the series, saying the music mogul would think it was "amazing" and "the best documentary I've seen in a long time" with the exception of some bits and pieces. 50 added that Diddy would ultimately "see the truth in it."

Diddy Docuseries 50 Cent Shares Unseen Footage Of Music Mogul

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DIDDY WOULD SAY THE DOC IS "AMAZING"!!!
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50 Cent's new docuseries on Sean "Diddy" Combs is dropping Tuesday on Netflix ... but we're now getting a sneak peek into some of the highlights ... including never-before-seen footage of the music mogul just prior to his September 2024 arrest.

50 sat down Monday with "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts, as well as Alexandria Stapleton, the director of "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," to discuss the docuseries. Robin starts by asking the two whether they were surprised Diddy filmed the days leading up to his arrest by federal authorities in NYC.

As you know, Diddy was federally charged with racketeering, sex trafficking, and the Mann Act -- illegally transporting prostitutes across state lines. He was ultimately found guilty of 2 counts of the Mann Act and sentenced to 4 years in prison at trial.

King Combs 'Fingers Crossed' For Diddy's Release

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ALL IS WELL
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King Combs talked to TMZ today at LAX where he was confident his dad won't have to serve his full 50-month sentence.

The 27-year-old rapper said the family will be playing his song "Diddy Free" throughout the holidays ... and King also told us they might not have to ... "Watch out, he might come home before then."

King told us his dad is doing well behind bars ... but he's still keeping his fingers crossed for an early release.

Diddy See First Videos of Mogul Behind Bars

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SPOTTED BEHIND BARS
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Diddy's working hard behind bars ... wrapping up after an honest day's work in new videos obtained by TMZ.

Check out the clips of the music mogul wrapping up his work for the evening on Friday at Fort Dix's media library located in the chapel, where he helps give movies and religious materials to inmates.

Diddy, wearing a brown knit cap to cover his gray hair, seems to be readying to stay for awhile ... removing his scarf and blue coat to reveal his gray prison uniform. Later on, he puts the jacket back on and takes his leave.

Biggie's Son CJ Your Disgusting Smear Campaign Won't Work ... Files Countersuit Against Publicist

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The Notorious B.I.G.'s son, CJ Wallace, is firing back at the publicist who sued him earlier this summer ... filing his own defamation lawsuit against this publicist for claiming CJ helped lure him to a place where Diddy sexually assaulted him.

We broke the story in July ... Diddy and CJ were both sued by an anonymous man who claimed he was lured by CJ, Willie Mack, and several others to be hand-delivered to an awaiting Diddy ... who allegedly attempted to force oral sex on him.

According to the new legal docs, filed this week in Florida, CJ is now suing Jonathan Hay, who has admitted to being the John Doe in the earlier suit.

Diddy Bragging in Prison ... Trump Will Pardon Me Next Year!!!

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Sean "Diddy" Combs thinks he's not long for FCI Fort Dix ... because he's telling fellow inmates he will get a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump early next year.

Sources at the federal prison in New Jersey tell TMZ ... Diddy is yapping about Trump pardoning him in early 2026.

As we first told you ... last month, Trump was vacillating on whether to pardon Diddy or not, and was seriously considering it. Some folks on Trump's staff at the White House were telling him not to pardon Diddy, but one source told us, "Trump will do what he wants."

Diddy, Sebastian Telfair Big Ballers Chat Behind Bars

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It didn't take long for Sean "Diddy" Combs to see a familiar face in prison ... because he ran across a famous basketball player from Brooklyn who he's known for years ... former NBA star Sebastian Telfair.

Diddy and Bassy are the most famous inmates doing time at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey ... and they hung out Saturday in the prison yard ... and we have photos from their chat.

We showed you pics of the Bad Boy Records founder laughing and chatting with a bunch of convicts ... and Sebastian's publicist tells us that's him talking to Diddy in a couple of the photos.

Diddy Speedy Appeals Process Gets Green Light

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Sean "Diddy" Combs will have a quicker appeals process after a judge gave it the go-ahead ... and his lawyers and federal prosecutors could be making oral arguments as early as April 2026.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a judge on Monday approved Diddy's request for an expedited appeals process ... after the convicted mogul said it would be the only way to ensure justice can be done, given his relatively short sentence and the risk of him just serving it out while the appeal is pending.

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DIDDY SCANDAL: TIMELINE OF EVENTS
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The judge adopted Diddy's proposed briefing schedule and it looks like this ... Diddy's opening brief is due by December 23, the government's response is due by February 20, Diddy's reply is due by March 13 ... and if the timeline holds, oral arguments will be heard as early as April 2026.

Diddy Making Friends in the Yard ... Chatting with Fellow Inmates at Fort Dix

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Diddy's just one of the boys behind bars ... laughing and chatting with other inmates in the yard in new photos from Fort Dix.

We've obtained pics of the star hanging out with a few dudes in the prison yard Saturday -- and, ya gotta check 'em out ... 'cause Diddy's got the biggest smile on his face.

Diddy's bundled up in a thick dark blue coat, gray pants and gray beanie ... shootin' the you-know-what with the other guys.

Diddy Gray Beard in the Yard!!! First Prison Pic

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Here's the first look at Sean "Diddy" Combs as an inmate at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey ... and he's all bundled up behind bars.

TMZ obtained this photo of the Bad Boy Records founder walking around the prison yard Friday during his recreation time.

As you can see, Diddy's got an orange prison beanie and a navy blue puffy jacket to keep warm. It was in the 50s today in Jersey, and Diddy's dressed for the cold.

Joe Giudice DIDDY'S CASH WILL BUY COMFORT IN THE CLINK

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Joe Giudice says money goes a long way at Fort Dix -- the minimum-security prison where Diddy’s now doing time -- and it can make life a whole lot easier behind bars.

The former reality star -- who did hard time there from 2016 to 2019 -- tells TMZ inmates are “all about money,” and says Diddy could even dodge certain responsibilities if he’s willing to cough up some cash … like his new gig in the laundry room.

Joe says he used to pay other inmates to do the chores he didn’t want to do -- including prison work -- and claims Diddy could easily slide someone a few bucks to mark him as showing up for his job.

Diddy Airing Out Dirty Laundry For Inmates!!!

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UPDATE

2:28 PM PT -- TMZ just obtained the first image of Diddy at FCI Fort Dix, and he's walking around the prison yard in a beanie and a jacket.

Diddy's gray beard is also visible in the photo, which was snapped Friday, and it's the first time we've seen him since his September 2024 arrest ... aside from court sketches from his criminal trial.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is being put to work behind bars, and his first federal prison job has him doing the ol' fluff n' fold.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us Diddy's first gig at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey plants him in the laundry room ... washing and drying dirty clothes.

Manual labor may come as a shock to Diddy ... during his criminal trial, federal prosecutors claimed he couldn't even charge his own phone or fetch a bottle of water, and would send his army of personal assistants to basically do everything for him.

Diddy Bad Boy Begins Fort Dix Prison Sentence

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Sean "Diddy" Combs is all checked in at his new home for the next two-and-a-half years ... TMZ has learned he's begun serving his federal prison sentence.

Law enforcement sources tell us Diddy was transferred to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey early Thursday morning and began the check-in process. Remember, this is the prison he requested to serve his time at after Judge Arun Subramanian sentenced him to 50 months in prison.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons ultimately granted Diddy's request.