Diddy Turns Down Final Chance to Plead Guilty Before Sex Trafficking Trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs told the judge in his federal sex trafficking case that he turned down a written plea offer from the prosecution, setting the stage for his highly anticipated criminal trial.

Combs is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and his trial is set to begin with jury selection on Monday, May 5.

The Bad Boy Records founder appeared in court in Manhattan on Thursday, May 1 for a final pre-trial conference before his trial begins.

Combs, dressed in tan prison clothing and donning gray hair and beard, confirmed to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that he indeed had rejected the feds’ offer.

“Yes, I did,” Combs said, standing at the defense table, when asked by the judge.

During the hearing, Combs sat over a pile of legal papers while wearing black-rimmed glasses.

Combs has been behind bars since his arrest last September, having been denied bail by three different federal judges who cited concerns of witness tampering.

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The music mogul’s trial is expected to last several weeks, if not months, and could feature high-profile witnesses, namely Combs’ ex, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.

Combs, who has appeared in prison garb in his previous court appearances, will be allowed to wear formal attire during his trial.

Combs, who also faces numerous civil suits, has been incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest. He has denied all wrongdoing.