Mark Geragos isn't mincing words when it comes to Sean "Diddy" Combs' prison sentence. The veteran attorney, whose daughter is on the rapper's defense team, says the Bad Boy founder has real reasons to be concerned about his safety behind bars.
Speaking on the 2 Angry Men podcast, TMZ's Harvey Levin asked him if Diddy should worry about s**ual or other kinds of assault while serving 50 months in prison, and Mark Geragos immediately answered that the rapper should. He added, confirming that violent attacks are "clearly" a thing in the jailhouse.
"It’s a prison. You always have to watch your back — literally. If that’s the case, you’re never out of the woods until you’re released. If you are in a camp or a low-level designation, your odds go down dramatically.”
Brian Steel, Diddy's lawyer, expressed similar sentiments. At the hearing, Steel revealed that the fallen mogul was targeted while at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
“Sean is not a typical person in custody, everyone knows him. It’s a trophy for them, they get recognition if they harm him.”
Meanwhile, at one point during the 2 Angry Men episode, Mark Geragos offered his take on the judges revealing Diddy's speaking engagements during the sentencing, as if he was set for release immediately. According to the veteran lawyer, the disgraced rap icon is "earnest" about becoming better.
"A lot of times, you find people in these situations and high profile people make decisions that aren’t the best."
But the prosecutors during the music mogul's sentencing at Manhattan federal court, speaking of his booked engagements, argued that the rapper should be locked up for over 11 years.
"Even now at sentencing for his conviction for two federal crimes … he doesn’t fully grapple with how his actions got him here. His respect for the law is just lip service."
They added:
“He has booked speaking engagements in Miami for next week. That is the height of hubris, your honor.”
Diddy cries and pleads for leniency following 50-month sentence
On Friday, Oct. 3, Diddy was sentenced to 50 months in prison, roughly four years. Following the ruling, the Bad Boy founder addressed his family in a tearful statement.
"I got lost in the journey of life. I got lost in excess. I got lost in my ego. Because of my decisions, I lost my freedom. I've totally destroyed my reputation. I've been humbled and broken down. I hate myself right now. I've been stripped down to nothing."
Janice, Diddy's mother, was reportedly seated at the courtroom gallery alongside six of his children. The rapper broke down in tears as he addressed his mother:
"My mother taught me better. My faith taught me better."
The disgraced rap icon also apologized to his former partner and protege, Cassie Ventura, who accused him of s**ual assault and trafficking.
"I personally apologize to Cassie Ventura for any harm I've caused to her emotionally or physically. I don't take that lightly. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry I brought you into my mess."