Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.

(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering in his federal sex crimes case but was convicted of two counts of a lesser charge of transportation to engage in prostitution.   

The disgraced hip-hop mogul has not been sentenced yet by Judge Arun Subramanian and could face a maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years per count.

While the Combs federal sex crimes trial has concluded, the rapper is embroiled in multiple civil suits. Combs has vehemently denied the allegations listed against him in those lawsuits.

Tony Buzbee, a Houston-based attorney whose law firm has 42 civil cases against Combs to date, told NewsNation the focus of the criminal case doesn’t cover his clients’ lawsuits against the rapper. 

“Diddy dodged a big bullet today. But that doesn’t end the saga. The thrust of the prosecution’s case was focused solely on two alleged victims, Cassie and ‘Jane,’ with whom Sean Combs had long-term relationships,” he told NewsNation.

Buzbee continued, “Our clients were not the focus of the prosecution’s case. And those issues are not present in our cases. Our cases instead focus on discrete wrongful conduct allegedly committed by Mr. Combs that would be considered state law crimes if proven. Now that this spectacle is over, we look forward to aggressively pursuing these civil cases to obtain justice for these alleged victims.”

Buzbee’s firm represents Brandon Adams, who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against the rapper last week claiming he was drugged at a party and then allegedly raped by Combs. He is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for sexual assault.

Lisa Bloom spoke to NewsNation directly after the verdict was read. She represents two Combs accusers in civil cases: Dawn Richard, formerly of Combs’ band Danity Kane, who testified as a government witness for the federal trial, and a man identified as “John Doe.”

Bloom said the verdict is “a shocking outcome against a violent bully. I will only work harder for the two Diddy accusers I represent with different civil charges against him.”

Each civil case is independent and separate, Bloom said, adding that the burden of proof in civil court is less than in criminal cases.

“We will continue to fight for our clients,” she said.

Bloom’s law firm partner, Arick Fudali, echoed a similar sentiment, telling NewsNation that the Combs federal case verdict has no bearing on the civil cases.

“While this is the end of the criminal case for the government, this is just the beginning for our clients in their civil cases, which are different than the criminal case. We intend to fight for justice against this violent individual and will not back down,” Fudali said. 

Gloria Allred, who represents several of Combs’ accusers, told NewsNation her civil suits against him will proceed with a lower burden of proof.

In civil cases, she only needs to prove her claims by “preponderance of the evidence,” which is much easier than the criminal standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt,” Allred said.

Allred plans to go into extensive discovery, looking for evidence to support her clients’ cases. Despite the criminal trial’s outcome, Allred said his team has been unsuccessful in having the civil cases dismissed and her team intends to continue litigation.

How civil and criminal cases differ

Civil and criminal cases have distinct differences, including when it comes to the burden of proof.

According to the National Center for Victims of Crimes, in “a criminal case, conviction requires ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt,'” and the defendant is held accountable to the state if found guilty.

In a civil case, liability must be proven by a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning evidence must prove the claim is more likely true than untrue. A defendant is also held accountable to the victim if found liable.

In a criminal case, a victim acts as a witness as the state leads the proceedings, whereas in a civil case, the victim determines whether to sue, settle or move forward with a trial.

Penalties differ in civil and criminal cases as well. Someone could end up in jail or prison in criminal court. Meanwhile, if they are found liable in civil court, they owe an obligation to the victim, usually a monetary penalty.

Civil attorneys disappointed in criminal verdict

Fudali told NewsNation that while he saw the verdict as a disappointment, his cases have specific differences.  

“I hope this is not a deterrent to other victims who are currently suffering in silence to stand up and come forward against their alleged abusers,” he added. 

Buzbee suggested that the relationship Combs had with Ventura and “Jane” may have challenged the jury’s ability to find Combs guilty of the more serious charges. 

“Perhaps because of the nature of his relationship with those women and the length of those two relationships, I think the jury struggled with the difficult issue of consent and more broadly whether Mr. Combs’ conduct appropriately fit within the RICO statute,” he said.