Entertainment
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers want him at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in N.J. that offers drug treatment
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers want the hip-hop mogul sent to a low-security federal prison in New Jersey to serve his four-year, two-month prison sentence, telling a judge Monday that the facility’s drug treatment program will help him stay clean.
In a letter, Combs’ lawyers urged the judge presiding over his case, Arun Subramanian, to “strongly recommend” that the federal Bureau of Prisons place Combs at FCI Fort Dix, a massive prison located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
FCI Fort Dix, one of several dozen federal prisons with a residential drug treatment program, will best allow Combs “to address drug abuse issues and to maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts,” Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos wrote. He also cited educational and occupational programs available at the prison, located about 70 miles south of New York City.
The request from Combs’ attorney came after Subramanian asked his lawyers on Friday at the sentencing hearing to let him know their preference for a prison facility.
Also Monday, President Trump told reporters that Combs had asked him for a pardon. Mr. Trump, referring to Combs by the nickname “Puff Daddy,” did not say if he would grant the request. Messages seeking comment on Mr. Trump’s remarks were left for Combs’ lawyers and his publicity team by The Associated Press.
Combs’ sentencing for two prostitution-related charges capped a federal case that featured harrowing testimony about violence, drugs and so-called “freak-offs,” and exposed the sordid private life of one of the most influential figures in music.
While the criminal case against Combs came to an end, he still faces civil lawsuits, including from a former stylist who accused Combs of sexually, physically and emotionally abusing him while he was working for Combs and his label, Bad Boy Entertainment — allegations that Combs has denied, with his legal team calling them “falsehoods.”
Deonte’ Nash alleged he was frightened throughout his roughly decade-long experience working for the music mogul. The 39-year-old stylist claims Combs choked him multiple times, describing one alleged incident that occurred after he went to a restaurant with R&B singer Cassie Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend whose testimony was critical in his conviction.
The “I’ll Be Missing You” singer was convicted in July under the federal Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for any sexual crime. His trial ended in a split verdict, with acquittals on sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life.
Combs has been locked up at a federal jail in Brooklyn, the Metropolitan Detention Center, since his September 2024 arrest. His time there will be subtracted from his sentence, meaning he could get out in about three years.
In a letter to Subramanian on the eve of sentencing, Combs said he has gone through a “spiritual reset” in jail and is “committed to the journey of remaining a drug free, non-violent and peaceful person.”
“I thank God that I’m stronger, wiser, clean, clear and sober,” he wrote.
Subramanian has not yet acted on the request to recommend placement at FCI Fort Dix.
Judges often make recommendations about where inmates should serve time, but it’s up to the Bureau of Prisons to decide. Those decisions, the agency has said, are based on a variety of factors, including the severity of the offense, the required security level and an inmate’s programming needs.
FCI Fort Dix, the largest single federal prison by population with just under 3,900 inmates, is about 64 miles southwest of New York City, where Combs was born and rose to fame as a rapper and entrepreneur in an array of businesses, including fashion, television and liquor. An adjacent minimum-security prison camp has 210 inmates.
Combs once owned a home in New Jersey, selling it nearly a decade ago.
His primary residence, according to court papers, has been a $48 million mansion on an island near Miami. That home and a mansion he owns in Los Angeles were raided by federal agents last year during the investigation that led to his arrest.
FCI Fort Dix has been home to a number of high-profile inmates over the years, including reputed mobsters, drug traffickers, corrupt politicians and Martin Shkreli. For a time, it was run by the warden who had been in charge of a Manhattan federal jail when financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself at the jail in 2019. That warden, Lamine N’Diaye, has since retired.
In 2021, a 27-year-old Fort Dix inmate was stabbed in the eyeball by a fellow prisoner.
In 2019, a Fort Dix inmate, a former inmate and two other people were arrested for using a drone to smuggle in contraband including cellphones, tobacco, weight-loss supplements and eyeglasses. The same year, a Fort Dix correctional officer pleaded guilty in a separate case to pocketing bribes to smuggle in contraband.
During his time at Fort Dix, Shkreli ended up in solitary confinement amid allegations he was using a contraband smartphone to run his drug company from behind bars. Inmates are forbidden from conducting business and possessing cellphones.
Entertainment
Princess Kate starts driving herself to events, ditches drivers
The Princess of Wales’ most eye-catching royal moments happen before the cameras are even properly rolling.
This week, Kate quietly arrived at her own engagement behind the wheel of her own car.
The 44-year-old hosted England’s World Cup-winning women’s rugby squad at Windsor Castle on Thursday, but it was her low-key arrival that caught attention online.
In a video circulating on social media, an eyewitness spotted Kate driving herself through the Castle gates, stepping out from the driver’s seat and striding across the gravel in a striking red Alexander McQueen trouser suit.
The Prince and Princess of Wales live at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park, just a short 3.6-mile drive from the King’s Berkshire residence, close enough for a quick spin rather than a full motorcade.
While royal engagements often come with a driver in tow, getting behind the wheel is hardly without precedent.
Queen Elizabeth II famously loved driving around her private estates, often at the wheel of a Range Rover, while Prince Philip once played chauffeur for former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their 2016 visit to Windsor.
The tradition continues today in slightly greener form. King Charles has developed a fondness for eco-friendly vehicles and has been spotted driving electric cars and even hydrogen-powered models reflecting his long-standing environmental interests.
Entertainment
Ariana Grande speaks out after fan comment sparks debate
Ariana Grande recently responded to a fan comment on social media, leaving many of her followers buzzing with her response.
The fan wrote, “Alright, let’s get back to pop star Ariana though,” while referring to her shift between pop career and acting projects.
Grande quickly replied, saying that “not two separate people !:’) same person, same artist behind all! please enjoy eternal sunshine x.”
The Wicked star’s viral response reminded fans that every piece of her music comes from the same artist, whether its pop, R&B, or her more adventurous songs, Ariana asked listeners to enjoy her work.
However, social media users responded enthusiastically, while praising the actress and songwriter for being open and honest.
Many of her fans said that her message showed the strong connection she maintains with her music and her audience.
Moreover, Ariana Grande also mentioned her upcoming Eternal Sunshine tour, which has been creating buzz for its emotional performances and beautiful production.
The 7Ring singer’s reply encouraged fans to embrace every part of her music and shows as a full, connected story.
Entertainment
Pamela Anderson walks out of Golden Globes after spotting Seth Rogen
Pamela Anderson has revealed she cut her Golden Globes night short after feeling ‘weird’ about being seated close to Seth Rogen.
Rogen is one of the producers behind Hulu’s Pam & Tommy, the dramatized series about her life that she never approved.
Speaking on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM podcast, Anderson explained, “He was in the pit at the Golden Globes, so we were close.
To her it felt weird to see him after the release of the show that told the story of the ‘worst time’ of her life.
The 58-year-old actress admitted the moment stirred emotions she thought she had moved past.
“I may have just felt like, ‘I’m not chopped liver over here.’ I felt a little bit weird about it. And I felt like, you know — I’ve been so busy working. I’ve done five movies in the last year. So, I’ve just been busy, but sometimes it hits you and you feel kind of down,” she said.
“I don’t know. It just felt a little yucky. But eventually, hopefully, he will, maybe he’ll reach out to me and apologize. Not that that matters,” Pamela continued.
Anderson added that while she considers herself “free game” as a public figure she believes Pam & Tommy crossed a line.
“Your darkest, deepest secrets or your tragedies in your life shouldn’t be fair game for TV series.”
The Hulu series, starring Lily James as Anderson and Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee, revisited the couple’s whirlwind 1995 marriage and the infamous leaked sex tape that defined much of Anderson’s career.
While director Craig Gillespie defended the project as an attempt to “change the narrative” and portray the couple empathetically, Anderson has consistently voiced her discomfort with the dramatization.
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