Sean Combs request for acquittal or new trial should be rejected, prosecutors say

NEW YORK -- Federal prosecutors are arguing Sean "Diddy" Combs does not deserve a new trial because "there was more than a sufficient basis" to support his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, according to a new court filing overnight.

Combs, who was found not guilty of more serious charges, asked the judge to acquit him of the prostitution-related counts or grant him a new trial, arguing the law is vague and the evidence was lacking.

Combs does not dispute hiring male escorts but his attorneys argued he was no pimp. Rather, they said, his intent was to watch them have sex with girlfriends.

Prosecutors argued the law does not distinguish between voyeurism and profit.

"He transported escorts across state lines to engage in Freak Offs for pay. He directed the sexual activity of escorts and victims throughout Freak Offs for his own sexual gratification. And he personally engaged in sexual activity during Freak Offs," prosecutors said in their filing.

"There was more than a sufficient basis, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, to support the counts of conviction."

Freak offs, as Cassie Ventura knew them, or hotel nights, as a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane called them, took place at different residences or in hotels in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Ibiza and Turks and Caicos, according to trial testimony.

"Escorts traveled to these Freak Offs with Ventura and hotel nights with Jane. The defendant discussed the escorts' travel with Ventura and Jane," prosecutors said.

Combs is due to be sentenced October 3.