What is racketeering conspiracy?published at 14:36 British Summer Time
Watch: The BBC’s Nomia Iqbal explains racketeering as jurors divided on charge
The charge that the jury is still deliberating – after reaching verdicts on the other four counts – is the most serious.
If convicted of racketeering conspiracy, Combs could face life in federal prison.
Racketeering conspiracy, or directing an illegal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), is the formal name for the charge.
The law was created to take on mob bosses, but it has since been used in other cases, including sex trafficking, such as the case against disgraced R&B singer R Kelly.
The government has argued that Combs used his loyal network of associates to run a criminal enterprise and cover up his alleged crimes.
The defence sought to chip away at the government’s racketeering allegations, by asking witnesses whether Combs’ employees ever witnessed the sexual encounters known as “freak-offs”. Cassie Ventura, the star witness for the prosecution, said she didn’t think they were present.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations against him.
