Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs family and friends plead for his release ahead of sentencing

As music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs awaits sentencing, those closest to him are speaking out, urging for leniency and calling for his release.

Family, friends, former employees, and business associates of Combs have submitted more than 70 letters to the court, all asking a federal judge to consider mercy ahead of his sentencing next week. The letters paint a picture of Combs not just as a celebrity and businessman, but as a father, son, and mentor whose influence reaches far beyond the music industry.

Among the most emotional appeals came from his mother, Janice Combs. At 84 years old, she has been a constant presence throughout her son’s trial. In her letter to the judge, she explained her ongoing health struggles and expressed her deep desire to reunite with her family in peace. “I don’t know how much longer I will be around but I would love to be able to see him and his children together again,” she wrote.

Others who submitted letters highlighted Combs’ decades of contributions to music, fashion, and entrepreneurship, as well as his philanthropic efforts supporting education, youth programs, and underserved communities. Former employees and longtime colleagues described him as a mentor who created opportunities for countless people in entertainment and beyond.

Please allow him the chance to come home’

In the 380-page filing, Comb’s attorneys touted his violence-free record while in federal detention and contributions to his fellow inmates.

The music mogul has worked with inmates in his unit and developed a business and entrepreneurship program he calls “Free Game with Diddy,” according to the filing.

His attorneys attribute much of Combs’ reform in jail to sobriety, saying he’s sober for the first time in 25 years.

“Since tapering off Xanax, quitting alcohol, and illicit substances, his angry actions have disappeared,” they wrote in the filing.

His adopted-sister Keisha Combs wrote in her letter to Judge Subramanian that she visits Combs in detention and has seen the positive effects of his sobriety.

“The dark veil of addiction, confusion, and the chaos of his life is gone,” she wrote.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s children Chance Combs, left, and Christian Combs, right, along the mogul’s mother Janice Combs walked together following a pre-trial hearing at the Southern District of New York Federal Court in New York in March. – Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Many of the letters submitted to Judge Subramanian acknowledge the music mogul’s flawed behavior revealed during his trial and asked the judge to consider his positive personality traits and recent personal growth.

His former girlfriend, rapper “Yung Miami,” and Dana Tran, the mother of his youngest daughter, described the family-oriented version of Combs they know in their letters to the judge.

Friends and industry peers echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that while Combs faces serious legal consequences, his impact on culture, his role as a parent, and his history of generosity should not be overlooked.

With sentencing approaching, the wave of personal testimonies underscores the weight of the decision before the court. While it remains uncertain how much influence these letters will have on the judge’s ruling, they reflect a unified plea from Combs’ inner circle—one that seeks compassion, redemption, and the chance for him to be with his family once again.