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Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently fighting against a RICO, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, charge in court. The music mogul has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He faces life in prison if convicted. Combs’ legal team insists on his innocence, particularly with regard to the racketeering charge. They’re fighting an uphill battle, though; recent RICO cases carry extremely high conviction rates.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ RICO charge could send him to prison

By charging Combs with a RICO violation, prosecutors are alleging that he used his various businesses to carry out criminal activity. 

“The prosecution has to prove this organization was an enterprise run by various people who had an agreement that they would engage in certain illegal behavior to further that enterprise, and they have to prove that there were various predicate acts that were committed,” criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Michael Bachner told ABC News.

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The act previously helped the government prosecute mafia organizations. Now, prosecutors are using it to go after broader types of criminals. For example, singer R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking and racketeering charges. 

While Combs’ trial is ongoing, his attorneys are fighting a difficult battle. Per the Bureau of Justice Statistics, between 2018 and 2022, prosecutors won convictions in over 97% of cases in which RICO was the most serious charge filed. Of those convicted, 90.2% spent time in prison. RICO cases carry a maximum sentence of 30 years to life.

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