Who is the Indian-origin judge who sentenced Diddy to prison?
What's the story
Sean "Diddy" Combs, the disgraced hip-hop mogul, has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for prostitution-related charges. The sentence was delivered on Friday by Indian-origin judge Arun Subramanian at a court in New York. Subramanian stressed that a substantial sentence was necessary "to send a message to abusers and victims alike that exploitation and violence against women is met with real accountability." Here's all you need to know about him.
Background
Early life and education
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1979 to Tamil parents who migrated to America in the 1970s, Subramanian is a Columbia Law School alumnus. He earned his JD degree from Columbia in 2004 after completing his BA from Case Western Reserve University. His father was a control systems engineer, and his mother, a bookkeeper.
Career
Career before becoming a judge
Subramanian started his career as a clerk for Judge Dennis Jacobs at the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He also worked with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the US Supreme Court. In 2007, he joined Susman Godfrey LLP in New York and became a partner there, working until 2023. His work has reportedly helped recover over $1 billion for clients, and he has also represented victims of child pornography trafficking.
Judgeship
His appointment as a federal judge
Backed by Senator Chuck Schumer, Subramanian was nominated by former President Joe Biden in 2022 and confirmed the following year. He became the first South Asian judge to serve on Manhattan's federal bench, marking a historic milestone. His appointment followed years of commitment to public interest work and pro bono service, including his role on the pro bono panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Sentencing remarks
'Sexual violence is prevalent in society,' Subramanian said during sentencing
During Combs's sentencing, Subramanian emphasized the need for accountability. He rejected defense claims that Combs's "freak offs" or choreographed sex parties were consensual. He said, "This was subjugation, and it drove both Ms. Casandra Elizabeth Ventura and Jane (pseudonym) to thoughts of ending their lives."