The famous rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faced a sentencing hearing following his conviction on charges stemming from alleged prostitution. The decision was made by Judge Arun Subramanian, an individual of Indian heritage, who determined that Combs would serve over four years in prison. Judge Subramanian emphasized the sentence’s role in establishing accountability and communicating a strong societal message.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1979, Arun S. Subramanian is the child of Indian immigrants. He built an impressive legal career. His father worked as a control systems engineer, and his mother was employed as a bookkeeper.
Subramanian graduated from Case Western Reserve University and obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) from Columbia Law School in 2004. His legal career started with clerkships under Judge Dennis Jacobs (US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit) and Judge Gerard E. Lynch (US District Court, Southern District of New York), in addition to a clerkship with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
In 2007, he joined the New York law firm Susman Godfrey LLP, where he remained until 2023, eventually reaching the position of partner. Throughout his career, Subramanian secured over $1 billion in recoveries for his clients. He represented victims of child pornography trafficking and took on consumer rights cases.
Judge Subramanian was nominated by former President Joe Biden in 2022 for a federal judgeship, on the recommendation of Senator Chuck Schumer. He became the first South Asian judge to be appointed to the Southern District Court of New York in 2023.
Judge Subramanian, according to reports, made it clear that the sentence was meant to convey a message about the serious repercussions of exploitation and violence against women. After accounting for time served, Combs will serve an additional 36 months in jail and pay a $500,000 fine.
Subramanian recognized Combs as an “iconic” artist, while still arguing that the harsh sentence was required due to Combs’ history of sexual and physical violence. He rejected the defense’s claims that the “freak-offs” were consensual.
According to the judge, a significant sentence was required to communicate to society that individuals who exploit women will face real accountability, given the increasing prevalence of sexual violence. Subramanian condemned Combs, saying that his crimes were severe and that his violence, pressure, and abuse had ruined the lives of the women who loved and trusted him. He also suggested that Combs use his celebrity status for good.
Prior to the sentencing, Combs made a court appearance, his first in over a year. He offered apologies to Cassandra Ventura and the woman known as “Jane” during the testimony. Combs expressed remorse for failing as a father, for losing his freedom, and for the harm to his image and business.
Combs said, “I truly apologize for everything, regardless of what people say.” He also stated that the most difficult aspect for him was remaining silent and failing to demonstrate genuine remorse for his offenses until that moment.