How Did Diddy Get Famous?

Sean “Diddy” Combs started out as an ambitious radio station intern at Uptown Records in New York before starting his music company Bad Boy Records in 1994. Diddy’s talent was clear from the get-go when his first major success was Notorious B.I.G.’s critically acclaimed album “Ready to Die. Within the same year, Diddy worked with Mary J. Blige on her iconic R&B album “My Life”, which earned him his first Grammy nomination.

By 1997, Diddy was releasing his own debut full-length album No Way Out. This album would go on to top “music charts worldwide for 24 non-consecutive weeks” and “would win the Grammy Award for the Best Rap Album”, according to Wikipedia.

Sean Combs Accusations: A Timeline of Diddy

Sean Combs vs Steve Stoute

Just two years later though, the first widely publicized allegation against Diddy would occur in 1999. The New York Times reports “Mr. Combs and his bodyguards beat [record producer Steve Stoute] with a champagne bottle, a telephone, a chair and their fists during an April incident” after a dispute over music video footage.

Had Diddy been convicted, The New York Times states he would have faced up to seven years in prison. However, after a public apology (and, according to NPR, an alleged $500,000 from Diddy), Stoute dropped the assault charge. Sean Combs was then only sentenced to one day of anger management class after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of harassment.

Sean Combs Arrested with Jennifer Lopez

In December of that same year, Sean Combs would be charged with gun possession and bribery after two people were injured by gunfire in a nightclub while he was out with Jennifer Lopez. However, The New York Times disclose that “[t]he details and timeline of the interaction remained muddled throughout [the] highly publicized trial.” In the end, Diddy was found not guilty. A surprising outcome, considering NPR’s report of a 1996 incident where Sean Combs was “found guilty of criminal mischief for threatening a photographer from the New York Post with a gun.”

Diddy Accused of False Imprisonment by Roger Mills

In March 2001, NPR reports that a local TV host Roger Mills filed a lawsuit against Diddy, accusing him of “assault, false imprisonment, destruction of property, intentional infliction of emotional distress and a civil conspiracy, in an exchange where Combs’ entourage roughed him up and destroyed his camera.” However, a jury ruled in Diddy’s favor.

P. Diddy Gets Violent with Gerard Rechnitzer

NPR also reports a lawsuit that happened in March 2007 when “Gerard Rechnitzer [alleged] that Combs punched him, pushed his girlfriend, and tried to spit on another woman outside Teddy’s nightclub at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.”

Laurieann Gibson Reports Diddy to Police

Shortly after, in May of 2007, NPR reports Laurieann Gibson, a co-star on Diddy’s show Making the Band, as having filed a complaint with the police. Puff Daddy had allegedly “threatened her with a chair while New Edition’s Michael Bivins held her in place…”

Sean Combs Attacks a U.C.L.A. Football Coach

No public allegations came again until 2015, when a dispute with a U.C.L.A football coach resulted in Diddy’s arrest. The rapper allegedly attacked the coach with what is described as a kettlebell. The New York Times reports that he was “charged with assault with a deadly weapon, making terrorist threats and battery.”

However, Diddy would, again, escape prosecution when the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office dropped the felony charges.

The Sean Combs vs Casandra Ventura Lawsuit

Fast forward a few commemorations and honors later, including a lifetime achievement award as well as the key to New York City, and we arrive in November of 2023. R&B singer, Cassie, filed a federal lawsuit accusing Diddy of rape, and physically abusing her since 2005.

Cassie, otherwise known as Casandra Ventura, claims that Diddy would drug her, beat her, and video record her without consent on numerous occasions as she was forced to have sex with various male prostitutes. The court documents go on to allege that Diddy broke into Cassie’s house in 2018 and raped her.

Casandra Ventura Lawsuit Details

Cassie’s lawsuit also brought a 1990/1991 incident to light. NPR reports that Diddy “and the R&B singer Aaron Hall allegedly sexually [assaulted] an unnamed victim and a friend after a music industry event, then beat her several days later when confronted.”

Diddy had his lawyer vehemently deny such “offensive and outrageous allegations”. Diddy even alleges that Cassie persistently demanded $30 million “under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship…” and this was retaliation for his “unequivocal rejection of blatant blackmail”. One day later, the lawsuit would be dropped.

Joi Dickerson-Neal vs Sean Combs

A week after Cassie and Diddy reach an agreement to resolve the case (though, The New York Times reports that, “they disclosed no details about the terms of the settlement”), Diddy would be accused of sexual assault again. This time, by a woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal.

In this second separate sexual assault lawsuit, Sean Combs was accused of drugging and raping Dickerson-Neal, in addition to video recording the assault, in 1991.

Diddy Gang Rape Accuser Files Jane Doe Lawsuit against Sean Combs

Within 12 days of Joi Dickerson-Neal’s lawsuit, a Jane Doe plaintiff accuses Diddy, as well as two unnamed associates of his, of raping her when she was in the 11^th grade. Jane Doe was 17 years old when she says the three men pumped her with drugs and alcohol before each taking a turn raping her.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, again, denies all allegations. However, in February 2024, producer Lil Rod, also known as Rodney Jones Jr., comes forward with his own claims of assault. Diddy now has a total of five sexual assault allegations from five different people.

Rodney Jones vs Sean Combs

According to The New York Times, while collaborating with Sean Combs on The Love Album: Off the Grid in 2023, Lil Rod claims Diddy “grabbed his genitals without consent, and… tried to “groom” [him] into having sex with another man [by] telling him it was “a normal practice in the music industry.” Allegedly, Lil Rod was being groomed for actor Cuba Gooding Jr.

Rodney Jones Lawsuit Details

The 105-page complaint included excerpts of videos- videos and transcripts- of P. Diddy with underage girls. The excerpts also include videos taken by Diddy of his associates with underage girls, as well as clips depicting unwanted homosexual interactions with- you guessed- Cuba Gooding Jr. (among other celebrities).

Diddy, again, denies all allegations through his attorney. Diddy’s lawyer Shawn Holley even alleges that “[they] have overwhelming, indisputable proof that [Lil Rod’s] claims are complete lies.”

Diddy’s Homes Raided by Homeland Security

Despite all the “overwhelming” and “indisputable” proof of Diddy’s innocence though, Homeland Security raided Diddy’s homes on March 25^th, 2024. The LA Times reports that “federal agents conducted the searches as part of an inquiry into sex trafficking allegations involving the hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur”.

According to The New York Times, Homeland Security’s official statement regarding the Diddy raid is as follows: “Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available.”

So, will P. Diddy go to jail now? Not yet, but never say never. Homeland Security’s surprise visit to Puff Daddy’s house isn’t a good indication, and neither is the fact that he was spotted pacing around inside of a Miami airport just hours after the raid.

In fact, this sighting seems to have answered the public’s question of “is P. Diddy in trouble” altogether. The Sean Combs sighting has now prompted the public to wonder: is P. Diddy scared? Public perception already seems to have heavily swayed out of his favor after the excerpts from Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones’ lawsuit were released.

Diddy’s Freak Offs Come to an End

P. Diddy has been arrested by federal agents! And, boy, was a lot uncovered…

One of the more disturbing discoveries being over “1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant”! Federal agents seized these supplies, noting they were just some of the tools used by Diddy for sexual assault… or, as the rapper called it: freak offs.

Now, Sean “Diddy” Combs is being charged with 3 felony counts, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Court documents revealed Diddy as having run “a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in… sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.” These criminal acts have been going on for over 16 years. In addition to the U.S. government seeking “significant financial assets”, Diddy will also be liable “for any and all property, real and personal”, as well as an undetermined “sum of money”, according to NBC News.

Diddy Updates

Diddy may be behind bars, but he’s still all over the news! Victims have continued to come forward, with an unknown plaintiff by the pseudonym of Jane Doe being the latest. This plaintiff claims she was drugged and raped on multiple occasions and fell pregnant after one of the attacks. Thalia Graves has also come forward with a lawsuit of her own. In the legal documents, she claims Diddy offered her alcohol in 2001. After consuming the drink, she became “lightheaded, dizzy, and physically weak” before losing consciousness. She was then restrained and assaulted by two men. Additionally, Sean Combs has now been accused a second time of setting fire to an unnamed person’s car with a Molotov cocktail. For those unaware, Casandra Ventura already accused the rapper of doing just that in her own lawsuit! Except in Cassie’s lawsuit, she identified the car’s owner as Kid Cudi.

Tony Buzbee, a Texas lawyer, is representing 120 accusers- some of which were (and may still be) minors. The list of plaintiffs includes “many powerful people” and “many dirty secrets”. Despite the growing list of lawsuits and allegations against P. Diddy, though, his lawyer at the time, Marc Agnifilo, firmly believes this indictment is nothing more than “a takedown of a “successful Black man””. Agnifilo does not except his client to accept a plea bargain either.

In fact, Combs and his legal team have tried twice to overturn the decision to hold him in prison while he awaits trial. They cite “horrific” detention center conditions as the reason why Diddy should be allowed to await trial outside of prison. His legal team also said Judge Andrew Carter’s decision “was unfairly “distorted” by the attention on the case”, according to Forbes. An interesting take since Judge Carter explained his ruling, citing concerns that Combs may use his money and influence to interfere with the case.

Diddy’s mother, Janice Small Combs, agrees with her son’s legal team, though. She even went as far as to call the discourse against her son a “public lynching”. She also believes that her son’s accusers have only now come forward for financial gain. However, she does admit that Diddy “may have been not entirely truthful” when denying Cassie Ventura’s allegations.

News Nation Announces Diddy Tape Sale

Did you catch Ariel Mitchell Kidd on News Nation recently?  She’s a lawyer who claims to have a Diddy tape and is trying to SELL it. Eyebrows were already raised by her choice of wording (many are unclear if her client is the one featured in the tape or if her client just found the footage), and now the public is questioning what her true motives actually are.

The most pressing question on everyone’s minds, though, is whether it’s even legal to sell such a tape in the first place?! RM Warner co-founder Raees Mohamed breaks it down with Popcorned Planet’s Andy Signore.

Judge Orders Diddy Victim Name Reveal

After 120+ anonymous Diddy lawsuits, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil has had enough! In a new ruling, she ordered the original Jane Doe to refile her lawsuit against Sean Combs using her legal name or else the case will be thrown out.

While Judge Vyskocil acknowledges “Jane Doe is likely to face public scrutiny if she proceeds under her own name, her desire to remain anonymous does not outweigh the interests of Combs and the public”, according to NBC News. Jane Doe has until Nov. 13 to make her decision.

Federal Jail Sweep Uncovers Potentially Privileged Diddy Material

Diddy’s jail cell was raided during the last week of October, and the results weren’t good! While “the sweep was not connected to Combs’ detention”, AP News reports that prosecutors are trying to use the “materials seized from [Diddy’s] jail cell to try to keep him incarcerated before a May trial.” The materials seized include personal effects and paperwork.

However, prosecutors rebuke these claims, reiterating that “the inspection of Combs’ cell was part of a jail-wide, safety-related sweep unrelated to Combs or his prosecution.” They go on to explain that “the search was planned before Combs was arrested and was properly carried out with an investigator who entered Combs’ cell and decided to not examine a manila envelope labeled “legal” that was in the cell.” Prosecutors claim they had any potentially privileged material viewed first by a team of government lawyers not working on the case to ensure confidential communications were not seen. Regardless, Diddy’s lawyers are appalled, according to AP News, calling it “outrageous government conduct amounting to a substantive due process violation.”

Jane Doe in Sean Combs Case Revealed

On Tuesday, November 12, Jane Doe chose to refile her lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs using her legal name. According to documents obtained by AllHipHop, Jane Doe is Candice McCrary, a Tennessee woman who was 19 at the time of the alleged assault. She “accused Diddy of raping her after inviting her and a friend to an “exclusive party” at his hotel in 2004.” It was then, she was allegedly told that she would be killed if she didn’t comply with his demands.

Diddy Begs for Bail for a Third Time

Sean Combs is not taking no for an answer! Then again, when has he ever? This time, though, it’s regarding bail. Diddy is trying for a third time to be released on bail while he awaits trial. However, after a two-hour hearing on Friday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian was unable to come to a decision. Instead, he requested both parties file a letter by Monday, expanding upon their respective arguments. According to AP News, Judge Arun Subramanian is expected to issue a ruling later this week.

Diddy Denied Bail… AGAIN

On November 27, 2024, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Sean Combs’ request to be released on bail. According to ABC News, “federal prosecutors have said there are no conditions that can reduce Combs’ risk of tampering with witnesses or shaping the opinions of potential jurors.” While in jail, the rap mogul has been calling and texting witnesses, as well as “using the phone access codes of other inmates at MDC-Brooklyn.” After reviewing both arguments, Judge Subramanian agreed with the prosecution. In his ruling, he explains that “[Diddy’s] willingness to skirt BOP rules in a way that would make it more difficult for his communications to be monitored is strong evidence that the Court cannot be reasonably assure[d] as to the sufficiency of any conditions of release.”

Jay-Z Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Minor with Diddy

Remember the civil lawsuit filed against Diddy that claimed he assaulted a minor during the MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000? In the suit, Jane Doe alleged two other unnamed celebrities, one male and one female, accompanied Combs during the assault. While the female celebrity stood by and watched, Jane Doe claims Diddy and the other unnamed male celebrity took turns raping her. The unnamed male celebrity has now been identified as Jay-Z. The lawsuit, originally filed in October by lawyer Tony Buzbee, named Diddy as the sole defendant. However, it has since been refiled to list Sean Carter (AKA Jay-Z) as well.

Following the news, Jay-Z responded directly to these allegations from Roc Nation’s Instagram account. This did him no favors, though! In fact, this uncharacteristic move was seen by many as a desperate hail Mary. Typically, the Carters do not respond to any media speculation- period, point blank- so, this caused many eyebrows to raise.

 

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Jay-Z Denies Allegations and Files for Dismissal

Just a day after Tony Buzbee amended one of Diddy’s civil lawsuits to include Jay-Z, Sean Carter immediately filed a motion to dismiss the case. According to ABC News, he “filed a motion Monday to deny the plaintiff’s request to remain anonymous, calling for either her identity to be disclosed or the suit to be dismissed.” Jay-Z remains adamant that this lawsuit is a “blackmail attempt” and that Tony Buzbee is “conducting an “extortionate campaign” against him.”

Buzbee has since taken to his own Instagram account, where he reassured the public that he will not be “bullied or intimidated”. He states, “sunlight is the best disinfectant and I am quite certain the sun is coming.”

Sean Combs Accused of Assaulting 3 Men in New Lawsuits

Diddy gained three new lawsuits last week after three men came forward with their own stories of assault. These lawsuits were not filed by Tony Buzbee, though. Attorney Thomas Giuffra is representing these three new men, one of which was a former employee of Sean Combs. According to ABC News, “[Giuffra] was contacted by in excess of 60 people. [He] only chose to file these three so far because [he] vetted them out. They’re very consistent with the pattern that Sean Combs followed.”

To no one’s surprise, Diddy vehemently denies these allegations and calls his newest accusers liars.

Jane Doe Voluntarily Dismisses Case Against Jay-Z and Diddy

The Jane Doe who accused Diddy and Jay-Z of raping her at a VMA after-party has dismissed the case with prejudice! This means she cannot refile.

According to TMZ, Jane Doe’s story had “massive holes”, so this dismissal should come as no surprise. It’s reported that she could not correctly identify the location where the assault took place, and her witnesses either could not corroborate her story or were not in the state on the night of the alleged assault.

Diddy’s team is taking this legal victory as “confirmation that these lawsuits are built on falsehoods, not facts.” His attorneys doubled down, yet again, reiterating that Sean Combs “has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor.”

While Jay-Z is elated that his legal nightmare is over (at least for the time being), TMZ reports he’s “clearly still pissed he ever had to face the allegations.”

The Diddy Trial Begins

Week 1 Updates

The trial began with opening statements, during which Diddy’s defense admitted to domestic violence right off the bat. However, according to TMZ, they then proceeded to remind the jury that Sean Combs is “not being charged with domestic violence.” Perhaps this was to prepare the jury for Cassie Ventura’s harrowing testimony, and the footage that would accompany it…

 

Sean Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, was called to the stand on day two of the trial. She recalled her tumultuous relationship with Diddy, detailing disturbing events and horrific abuse throughout her testimony. It would be on day three that the full-length footage of Diddy’s attack on Cassie in the InterContinental Hotel hallway was released. TMZ reports “as many as three different edits” of the footage may be shown during the trial, though!

Cassie’s messages to Diddy were also revealed during trial. You can view some of the salacious communications below!

Week 2 Updates

Dawn Richard, a former member of Danity Kane, took the stand to testify about Diddy and the violence she witnessed. Richard recalled an instance where Cassie was attacked. She revealed that she and bandmate were later threatened “about discussing anything they’d seen go down with Cassie…” According to TMZ, they were told “it was in their “best interest” not to talk, and… [that] “where [Diddy] comes from, people go missing if they talk.”

Cassie Ventura’s mom also testified this week. She recalled an instance where she was allegedly forced to pay Diddy $20,000 to keep him from releasing explicit freak-off videos of her daughter. She said she had to take out a home equity loan to make the payment.

Ventura’s ex-best friend, Kerry Morgan, took the stand as well. During her testimony, she recalled an instance where Diddy choked her with a wooden hanger. Morgan said Diddy attacked her to get her to reveal who Cassie was “cheating” on him with. According to Page Six, Morgan was paid $30,000 to keep quiet.

Diddy’s former executive assistant, George Kaplan, was given immunity in exchange for his testimony this week. While on the stand, Kaplan detailed the tasks he was often assigned, including freak-off preparation and clean up. Although Kaplan didn’t always agree with how Diddy acted, according to NBC News, he did appreciate how the rap mogul “pushed him to depths he didn’t know he was capable of…” Kaplan’s friends even “described [his time working for Diddy] as his Harvard University.”

The last testimony heard this week was given by Scott Mescudi, A.K.A. Kid Cudi. While on the stand, he recalled a 2012 incident where his car was set on fire. Mescudi testified that he believes Diddy is responsible for the attack and went on to explain why. Although he didn’t know it then, Cassie Ventura was dating both him and Diddy at the same time. The Molotov cocktail in his car was an act of revenge and a warning to end it. Mescudi also recalled a time when Diddy allegedly broke into his house so the two could “talk”. Mescudi likened Diddy to a “Marvel supervillain”.

Week 3 Recap

Week three mainly focused on Diddy’s employees, the mistreatment they endured, and the abuse they witnessed him inflict on others. Capricorn Clark, Combs’ ex-personal assistant, was among the first to testify. She elaborated on the stressful work environment Diddy fostered, recalling an instance where she was accused of stealing three high-end pieces of jewelry that he was given on loan. According to NBC News, in order to prove her innocence, Diddy “subjected Clark to days of lie detector tests…” and she was told that if she failed, she’d get thrown into the East River. Clark was trapped for five days before she was able to pass the test.

While on the stand, Capricorn Clark also offered greater insight into Cassie Ventura’s relationship with Combs. She delved deeper into events that Kid Cudi had referenced in his testimony. Clark revealed that she feared Ventura would get them all killed because of her relationship with Cudi. When Diddy eventually found out about Cassie and Cudi, “Clark said [he] was visibly furious, his pants split at the crotch, as he paced back and forth with a firearm. “[Diddy] just said, ‘Get dressed, we’re going to go kill Mescudi,'” with a gun in his hand.

Another ex-personal assistant of Diddy’s testified this week as well. Her legal name is protected from the public, so she’s been given the pseudonym “Mia”. Mia’s testimony echoed Clark’s but took a horrible turn when she revealed that Diddy sexually assaulted her multiple times. Mia was able to fully recall three instances of sexual assault, but admitted she couldn’t remember all the details of the other assaults. She testified, “I just remember feeling like a specific, horrible dark feeling in my stomach,” and that “they unfolded when Ventura was not around.”

When Cassie was around, Mia was often tasked with setting up the couple’s “hotel nights.” This included taking Diddy and Cassie to a hotel, unpacking their items, setting stuff up, and cleaning the room once they had finished. According to NBC News, Mia said the hotel room always looked like a “nightmare” afterward. There would be “candle wax, broken glass, water on the floor, sometimes blood, oil on the walls and wet towels.”

Before adjourning last week, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey told the judge that “as long as defense stays to a week,” she thinks July 4th is a fair end date. However, according to NBC News, “defense attorney Marc Agnifilo suggested his side’s case might be longer than expected after receiving notice from the prosecution about changes to its presentation.”

Week 4 Recap

This week started with the defense cross-examining “Mia”, but they didn’t kick it off on the right foot. NBC News reports that “U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian denied defense efforts to show “Mia” drinking and having fun on vacation.” Brian Steel, one of Diddy’s defense attorneys, says this was to prove that Mia was fired from Combs Enterprises due to alcohol abuse. The prosecution didn’t see it quite like that, though, and apparently neither did the judge…

For the rest of Mia’s time on the stand, the defense tried their best to undermine her testimony. They brought up nightmares Mia had where Diddy was the hero. They showed affectionate messages between the two. They questioned Mia about loving praise she showered on Diddy in social media posts. All this to prove she held the rap mogul in high esteem- which she never denied.

Mia explained that she was brainwashed by Diddy, but that didn’t negate the terror she felt or the horrors she endured. She added that she is “still untangling these things [and] in therapy.”

The following day, Eddy Garcia, a former security supervisor at the InterContinental Hotel, took the stand. He testified about how desperately Diddy and his team wanted the footage of his attack on Cassie in the hallway. Garcia said he and his team agreed to hand the sole tape over to Combs in exchange for $50,000. However, after signing NDAs “that called for [their] silence and the destruction of evidence,” NBC News reports the hotel security team was given $100,000 to divide amongst themselves instead.

Derek Ferguson, the former chief financial officer of Bad Boy Entertainment, testified next. While on the stand, Ferguson confirmed that Combs received a $20,000 payment from Ventura’s family in December of 2011. He also confirmed that Diddy “had signatory power over the [company’s] funds,” according to NBC News.

On the third day of trial, Bryana Bongolan, a former friend of Cassie Ventura’s, took the stand. She recalled a 2016 incident where Diddy allegedly dangled her over a 17^th story balcony. On the fourth day, during cross-examination, the defense tried their best to catch Bongolan in a lie, but she stood firm and held her ground.

Later that day, following dismissal for lunch, “Judge Subramanian threatened to kick Combs out of court for allegedly flashing facial expressions at jurors…” Court sketch artist Jane Rosenberg reported to NBC News that Diddy has been doing this since the start of trial, though!

 

After lunch, Enrique Santos, an investigative analyst for the U.S. attorney’s office, took the stand. His brief testimony revealed that, in a since-deleted text, Cassie Ventura had informed Kristina Khorram, Combs Enterprises’ chief of staff, about the Bryana Bongolan balcony incident.

“Jane” Begins to Testify

The last witness to testify this week was “Jane”, another anonymous victim who has been given a pseudonym for protection. She is the prosecution’s last witness in the trial.

Jane began by detailing her relationship with Diddy, which started in 2021. “Hotel nights” were introduced fairly quickly, and, while Jane consented at first, she revealed that she soon began to dread them. Jane said she felt as if she had opened “Pandora’s Box” because “Diddy immediately began requesting more…” The frequency of hotel nights increased, as did the number of participants that Diddy wanted involved. After their first freak-off, Jane said she had sex with other men 90% of the time during her relationship with Combs. She said she felt as if she had no choice, because Diddy was paying her rent.

Jane also revealed that Diddy forbid her and the other participants from using protection during freak-offs. NBC News reports, Jane suffered from yeast infections that “happened almost every week.” Despite being on antibiotics, she was in constant pain. Perhaps this is because, as Jane shared, she wasn’t always able to make a full recovery before the next hotel night or freak-off.

Jane testified that she finally ended her relationship with Sean Combs in December of 2022. Unfortunately, though, just three months later, Jane said the two were in contact again. Diddy and Jane had entered into an agreement (that is still ongoing to this day). Diddy agreed to give Jane a monthly allowance of $10,000. When asked what Jane had to give in exchange, she said that she was supposed to receive the money “without pressure” for two years. However, just five months later, Combs would use their agreement against her. According to NBC News, he would tell Jane: “You need to get on your job,” meaning… her job of taking care of him and making sure he’s happy.”

Week 5 Recap

Week five of the Diddy trial began with the defense calling for a mistrial! According to NBC News, Combs’ team “claimed… “prosecutorial misconduct,” alleging that prosecutors knew that one witness’s testimony was false.” This is now the second time- within two-weeks- that Diddy’s lawyers have called for a mistrial. (Their request was later denied.)

Once court was in session, “Jane” took the stand again. When the prosecution asked if she had consented to “freak-offs,” Jane said she was “still trying to figure that out.” She testified that she was shocked and bewildered to learn Cassie Ventura had similar experiences with Diddy. NBC News reports that Jane likened Ventura’s lawsuit to reading “a play-by-play of the “sexual trauma” that Combs allegedly inflicted on her.” Ventura’s lawsuit “read “word-for-word” of the abuse she also endured.” Jane testified that she even said that to Combs in 2023, when confronting him via text. The timing is unclear, but shortly after, Jane decided they needed a break and took a step back from Diddy.

In December of that same year, Combs threatened to release sex tapes of Jane. She testified that he told her, “he had nothing to lose by releasing tapes from the “hotel nights.” Panicked, Jane reached out to Diddy’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, to ask for help. Khorram reassured Jane that nothing would happen- though, it’s unclear if Khorram actually had to talk Diddy down or if it was just an empty threat all along.

Unfortunately, one tape of Jane was released, though. Not by Diddy (surprisingly), but by a male sex worker identified as Cabral. Combs apparently used Cabral’s phone to film a freak-off, who then sold it to an undisclosed media company. Thankfully, they have not shown the video publicly.

For the rest of the week, NBC News reports, the defense continued trying to “recast “freak offs” as consensual trysts, citing times when Jane texted Combs that she was having fun, and an instance when she initiated hotel nights.” By Thursday, the prosecution had enough, and requested there be “a bar or limit to the number of text messages that Combs sent to Jane in late 2023 and 2024…” They reasoned that Combs “knew he was in legal jeopardy in the wake of Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit.” It seems the judge agrees, because he denied the defense’s request to introduce “at least one allegedly self-serving Combs voicemail.” The judge also denied the admission of evidence that the defense says can prove Jane “colored her testimony after reading the Cassie Ventura lawsuit.”

Moving on, the defense decided to focus on Diddy’s “personal growth” instead. His team asked Jane to confirm whether “Combs [had become] more apologetic, a better listener and… spent more quality time with her in [the wake of Ventura’s lawsuit].” Jane concurred with the defense’s characterizations, adding “that she felt she could assert herself more in 2024 than she had in the relationship previously.”

However, during direct examination from the prosecution, Jane recalled a violent altercation that also took place in 2024. After a family trip to Utah in June, Combs decided to meet up with Jane. She was under the impression that he had taken another woman with him on this trip, though, so she confronted him when the two saw each other in person.

CNN reports that Jane called Diddy a “pedophile” because the other woman was “roughly 25 years younger than him.” The situation only escalated from there. Jane said she pushed Combs’ head into a marble counter, threw candles around the house, and repeatedly told him that she hated him. After a long chase (that resulted in multiple broken doors), Jane and Diddy started to physically fight again. She said she threw the first punch, but he got the upper hand after that first blow. He punched her in the head twice, the forehead, around her eye area, repeatedly kicked her, grabbed her by her hair and dragged her.

Shortly after the beating, Diddy instructed Jane to put on lingerie and then used her phone to text “an “entertainer” they’d used before to see if he could come over.” As Diddy scrolled through Jane’s previous texts with the “entertainer,” he noticed her reference a “mutual friend” of theirs. He demanded that Jane explain what she meant by “mutual friend”, “because, as far as Combs knew, Jane and the entertainer did not have any mutual friends.”

Unnamed Rapper Mentioned in Diddy Trial

CNN reports, “Jane then told Combs about the January Las Vegas trip with a rapper, which led to a hotel room encounter where she saw Antoine [the “entertainer”] have sex with a woman… Jane confirmed that Combs was outraged, saying, “How could you go to another man’s ‘Freak Off’?”

Diddy then told Jane to take an ecstasy pill. When she said she did not want to have a freak-off anymore, he got in her face and said, “Is this coercion?” Jane ended up “performing” with Antoine, but noted her and Combs did not have sex after, which “was not typical of these sexual encounters.” Once the entertainer left, Diddy confronted Jane about the “mutual friend” again, saying, “I can’t believe you went outside of us. I can’t believe you went to another man’s ‘Freak off.’”

Diddy’s defense team wanted the rapper’s name released to the public, but the judge denied their request.

Jane previously testified about this 2024 Vegas trip, and explained it was to celebrate the rapper’s “wife’s or girlfriend’s” birthday. The celebration consisted of seven or eight people watching “entertainers perform” in a hotel room, one of which was Antoine.

Diddy’s defense circled back to this, asking if the rapper in question was close with Combs. Jane answered yes. The defense then asked if this rapper had worked with Diddy. Jane said yes. They next asked if this rapper was an icon in the music industry. Jane, again, answered affirmatively. Although Jane previously said that her relationship with this rapper was platonic, Diddy’s defense asked if the rapper had flirted with her. She confirmed he had, and shared that the rapper said “he always wanted to have relations with me.”

Internet sleuths say the “mutual friend” is Kanye West because the rapper’s partner has only been referred to as his “wife or girlfriend” (no one can confirm Ye’s marital status). Additionally, Kanye West’s partner, Bianca Censori’s, birthday is in January. West has also worked with Diddy in the past, and was considered an industry icon. This, of course, is just online speculation, though. Nothing has been confirmed.

On the last day of week five, in a truly ironic turn of events, Kanye West arrived at the courthouse while the jury was on break. West was dressed in all white (of course) and told a reporter he was here to support Combs. Ye left the courthouse just 40 minutes later, though. The reason why is unknown.

Special Agent Who Raided Diddy’s Home Testifies

Before Kanye West’s sudden appearance, though, Special Agent Andre LaMon took the stand. He was one of the agents who searched Diddy’s L.A. home. Special Agent LaMon detailed the weapons and ammunition found inside. He noted that one drum magazine contained 59 rounds of green-tip ammunition, despite being able to hold 60 rounds. According to CNN, “green-tip ammunition is designed to penetrate body armor.”

Former Personal Assistant of Diddy’s Details “King Nights”

Once the jury returned, Jonathan Perez, a former assistant of Diddy’s, was called to testify. He has been given immunity in exchange for his testimony. Perez shared he was tasked with setting up “king nights” about five times throughout the duration of his employment. “King nights” seem to, essentially, be another term for “hotel nights”- as both of these “events” are described as “Combs going to (a) hotel to have private time with a female.”

Perez listed the items Diddy requested for “king nights,” which included: “food, liquor, music, red lights, condoms, lubricant, and sometimes honey [because it] enhances the man’s libido.” Perez said he would also have to go to the sex store sometimes to purchase various items. He testified that he used the company card or cash he got from security to pay. Perez also shared that he helped Jane prepare for “king nights.” He testified that she never seemed hesitant to go nor upset or unhappy afterward.

When asked what happened after “king nights,” Perez issued a response similar to Mia’s (another former personal assistant of Combs who testified during week three). His job was to clean up after the “event” to ensure no items were left behind. Perez said, the room would be “… a mess and in disarray… Just like lots of sheets and towels and oils.” So much so, that he once “slipped and fell twice” while cleaning up, CNN reports.

Perez also revealed that he obtained drugs for Diddy “a handful of times.” During cross-examination, though, he agreed with the defense when asked if “setting up “king nights” and purchasing drugs would be classified as personal instead of work-related.” CNN reports, “[Perez] confirmed [the tasks] had nothing to do with his work, and he didn’t believe he was getting paid to do those things.” He also clarified that he probably only “spent about 1% of his time working… dealing with personal matters, like setting up for “king nights” and obtaining drugs.” Additionally, Perez said that no one, including Diddy, ever told him not to speak about “king nights” or drugs.

However, during redirect examination, the prosecution was able to get Perez to confirm that “getting items for Jane was part of his job.” He also confirmed that his titled personal assistant, not business assistant. Prosecutor Madison Smyser then asked Perez whether “his job included doing personal things for Combs, such as writing cards and buying gifts and flowers for his girlfriends.” He said it did, and went on to confirm that he did not set up “king nights” for free. Perez clarified “that it was a part of his job; and that he never set them up when he was on vacation.”

Week 6

Towards the end of week five, Judge Arun Subramanian told the court he intends to dismiss juror No. 6 but would review the situation over the weekend before making a final decision. According to NBC News, the judge had “concerns about [juror No. 6’s] candor and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the panel.” The weekend did nothing but solidify Judge Subramanian decision, though, because he dismissed juror No. 6 first thing Monday morning.

CNN reports that, after reviewing transcripts, Judge Subramanian “identified inconsistencies in the juror’s disclosures about where he lives and with whom when asked at different times.” The judge believes juror No. 6 did this to ensure his eligibility for jury duty and, therefore, was “acting with a personal agenda.”

Diddy’s defense “argued at length” to keep juror No. 6, though. They reasoned that dismissing him “would result in the diversity of this jury being shortened” because juror No. 6 is a 41-year-old Black man. The judge, however, said “it would be improper to let the race of the juror and the alternate juror factor into the proper course here all.”

Shortly after dismissing juror 6, “Judge Arun Subramanian indicated there was an issue with another juror,” reports CNN. This issue was “in no way linked” to juror No. 6, though. The judge said he would question the juror after court was dismissed for the afternoon, but there have been no updates since.

Day 1

Ananya Sankar, a paralegal specialist at the US Attorney’s Office, testified about the “hundreds and hundreds” of pages of documents” that she reviewed. CNN reports that these documents included “text messages, call logs, audio files, videos, and images.”

Sankar read text messages between Kristina Khorram, Diddy’s former chief of staff, and Ryan Lopez, Diddy’s former assistant. They discussed a “Cowboys and Angels” escort that Lopez had seen while he was out. “Jane” and Cassie Ventura previously testified about “Cowboys and Angels” when discussing what services they used to find escorts for Diddy’s sexcapades.

As Sankar continued reading aloud, the jury heard countless texts exchanged between Combs’ employees where they meticulously planned hotel nights (and king nights and freak offs) for their boss. Khorram (and other staff) would also text Diddy (and/or his partner at the time) to announce the arrival of various escorts- many of which have been mentioned in previous testimony. Khorram even exchanged texts with Diddy that detailed the aftermath of many hotel nights (mainly how much it was going to cost to cover damages).

Sankar next read texts between Combs’s and various employees that discussed drugs. These messages ranged from what drugs Diddy wanted to payment information and delivery details.

The jury reviewed communications from Ventura to Khorram that detailed physical abuse Diddy inflicted on her. The jury then reviewed communications with Jane that she had previously testified about. Text messages and phone calls also revealed that various employees continually attempted to get Ventura, Jane, and “Mia” (individually and at different times) to speak with Diddy again after going no-contact.

During cross-examination, the defense read a message Diddy sent Mia after his security guard repeatedly informed her that he was trying to get in contact. Diddy’s message clarified that he just wanted to talk because he “[needed] his memory jogged on some things…” but reaffirmed that if she didn’t want to talk, it was “all good.” The defense then confirmed with Sankar that after, “D-Roc told Combs that Mia’s number was ringing as if she was out of the country… there are no records that suggest Combs called Mia again after that.” The paralegal specialist concurred.

Next, defense attorney Teny Geragos focused on Jane’s communications with Diddy. Highlighting, yet again, that (sometimes) Jane was an enthusiastic freak off/hotel night/king night planner AND participant.

Before ending cross-examination, Diddy’s team pointed out that there are texts regarding “approval for a disbursement from “PD personal” to pay a variety of expenses.”

Special agent DeLeassa Penland was called to the stand next. According to CNN, “Special agent DeLeassa Penland walked the jury through a summary chart that shows the date, location, attendees, and travel records related to different “meetings.” The jury also saw texts from Cassie Ventura arranging freak offs/hotel nights/king nights.

Day 2

Special agent DeLeassa Penland continued her testimony the following morning. CNN reports that the jury was first shown “records for flight and hotel reservations for an escort named Jules to travel from Los Angeles to New York City in August 2009…” Penland then “walked the jury through records related to a September 2014 hotel stay in Los Angeles.” Among these records were charges “for a round-trip flight from New York City to Los Angeles for a man referred to as “Dave.” The special agent then testified that “those charges was paid off by five different bank accounts, including some linked to Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Enterprises.”

Penland also highlighted communications between Diddy and Cassie Ventura following the 2016 hotel altercation- which Ventura previously testified about.

During cross-examination, Diddy’s defense pointed out that “a series of messages between Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura from different points in time…” had been excluded from “the government’s summary chart pertaining to Ventura.” Defense attorney Teny Geragos read the excluded texts out loud, which included sexually explicit messages Ventura sent to Combs and one instance where she told him she was “always ready to Freak-off.”

Penland later testified she “only reviewed what prosecutors gave her to ensure the charts were accurate based on the underlying source documents they provided her.” She could not confirm if she was given “complete” message threads because “she’s not involved in the case.”

Day 3 and 4

Court was dismissed early on Wednesday because one of the jurors was sick with vertigo. There was no court session on Thursday either, because it was Juneteenth (a federal holiday, celebrating National Independence Day in America).

Day 5

Friday’s session began with Judge Arun Subramanian denying a request from Diddy’s defense regarding a sealed juror issue. However, CNN reports, “it is unclear what the request was…” All we know is that, within the past week, “defense lawyers and prosecutors addressed an issue about to juror No. 7 under seal regarding communications with a former colleague about his juror service, according to a letter filed by the government.”

The first witness of the day was Brendan Paul, another former assistant to Diddy. He has been granted immunity in exchange for his testimony. Paul worked with the rapper from late 2022 until March 2024. The only reason he stopped was because Paul got arrested for possession of cocaine. This happened when “he was on his way to a family vacation with Combs…”

Paul said the cocaine was “in [his] Goyard bag for personal assistant duties.” He told the prosecution that “he was “sweeping” Combs room and grabbed the cocaine to put it somewhere else but forgot to remove it from his own bag before leaving for the trip.” However, during cross-examination, Paul clarified that he was “absolutely not” a “drug mule.” Paul said that he considered handling drugs as “a minor part of all the work he did for Combs.” He testified, though, that no one- including Diddy or his chief of staff- asked him to travel with drugs. Additionally, Paul was under the impression that “the drugs he obtained were just for Combs’ personal use.”

Following the prosecution’s questions about his 2024 arrest, they proceeded to ask Paul about his time working for Diddy. Paul shared stories of Diddy’s erratic behavior, revealing that he was once fired for forgetting Diddy’s “Lululemon fanny pack when he wanted to go for a walk.” Kristina Khorram, former chief of staff, was able to defuse the situation, though, so Paul was back at work soon after. According to CNN, “Paul also said it “wasn’t a thing” to talk to human resources about any issues. He said if anyone had an issue, they went to Combs or Khorram.”

The prosecution then asked about his responsibilities at work. Paul’s answer echoed prior testimony from other former assistants of Diddy’s, as the duties were almost identical. One of his responsibilities was, of course, king night set up. Paul revealed that there was a shared list among the assistants that outlined all the supplies needed for king night. The list included “baby oil, alcohol, small toiletries and extra sheets and towels.” Paul said that Diddy’s financial personnel would reimburse him if he had to pay for the supplies with his personal credit card.

Paul’s testimony continued to reaffirm his former colleagues’, as he described the state of a post-king night hotel room. He told the jury that he had to wear “gloves during the clean-up “for sanitary reasons.” Paul also revealed that Diddy stopped having king nights at hotels after Ventura’s lawsuit.

During cross-examination, the defense- once again- asked about “Jane” and her attitude toward king nights. Having spoken with Jane before most king nights and “almost every time” after, Paul confirmed “that he never saw anything that made him think she was hesitant or not a willing participant.” The defense also asked Paul if he considered “king nights” to be personal endeavors of Diddy’s. He confirmed that “he believed it was Combs’ personal time to be alone with Jane.”

Joseph Cerciello, a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, took the stand next. According to CNN, he has “reviewed charts of evidence compiled by the prosecutors to confirm the information in the charts corresponds with the underlying exhibits, which include thousands of pages of text messages, as well as phones and financial records.”

Cerciello’s testimony confirmed Paul’s claim that Diddy stopped using hotels once Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit dropped. After analyzing 44 entries regarding Jane, he discovered that Diddy and Jane mostly met at hotels prior to Ventura’s lawsuit.

Cerciello also discussed “a $3,750 [hotel] charge for “damaged furniture.” A report from the hotel said there were “bodily fluids stained on the wood floor” across the entire room and on some of the furniture.” He then discussed messages between Jane and Diddy in which they coordinated the arrival of three men for a hotel night. CNN reports, “the jury also saw a message Combs sent to Jane telling her to send $1,100 to Cowboys and Angels, an escort service, for flights and an “overnight rate.”

Week 7

The prosecution continued their examination of Homeland Security Investigations special agent Joseph Cerciello first thing Monday morning. Cerciello began by elaborating on the sexually explicit footage cited throughout the government’s summary chart. According to CNN, the summary chart included “several other explicit videos that the jury did not view.” Cerciello testified that “the videos were collectively several hours long,” and “confirmed that about 50 explicit videos were recorded December 17-21, 2021.”

The prosecution next asked about a 2023 trip to New York that “Jane” took with Diddy. Cerciello reviewed flight and hotel records, which indicated that another person had accompanied the couple. That person appears to be an “entertainer” from the escort service Cowboys and Angels. Cerciello informed jurors that a “Bad Boy Ent” credit card paid for Jane’s travel. CNN reports that “Jane paid for [the entertainer’s] transportation but [she] was sent $5,000 by Combs’ account manager around that time.” Records also revealed that “the travel arrangements were booked by Combs’ travel manager.”

Apparently, neither Jane nor Diddy paid for the entertainer’s time afterward, though. Cerciello referenced texts sent to Diddy from a Cowboys and Angels employee. The message informed Combs that “he still needed to pay $600.” According to CNN, Diddy texted back: “Lol [the entertainer] couldn’t even perform… The employee explained that Combs was paying for the man’s time. Combs told the employee that she should be nice to him, adding that he was “a longtime customer.”

A few days later, the couple- and that same entertainer- took a trip to Miami. Cerciello testified that “the hotel was booked with a credit card held by Combs’ travel manager. Round trip flights for Jane and [the entertainer] were booked with the same card…”

During cross-examination, defense attorney Teny Geragos reviewed those travel records again- specifically the invoice for the Diddy’s New York trip. He pointed out that it says it’s regarding “various expenses for Sean Combs,” emphasizing how “the invoice lists Combs personally, not one of his business entities.”

Next, the defense went over Jane’s texts. They referenced various messages to the previously mentioned “entertainer,” where she was enthusiastically planning their next meet-up (seemingly without Diddy). Geragos then read a text exchange between Jane and Diddy regarding an another “entertainer.” Combs discussed inviting “Leo” to the couple’s sexcapade, but Jane told him she “selfishly” just wanted it to be them two this time- even though, “she was fine with the other stuff.”

According to CNN, “in another message thread planning a “hotel night” later in April 2023, Sean “Diddy” Combs asked Jane to find a location, telling her, “I can’t have KK know damn.”

Once the defense finished cross-examining special agent Joseph Cerciello, the prosecution conducted a quick re-direct before resting their case.

Shortly after, CNN reports, “Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro made a defense motion for a judgement of acquittal on all counts, arguing that the government failed to meet its burden to prove the counts against Combs.” Shapiro specifically referenced the racketeering conspiracy, the co-conspirators theory, and the sex trafficking charges. Judge Arun Subramanian said he would consider the matter but would not issue an immediate ruling.

While the jury was on break, the judge conducted “the allocution of Sean “Diddy” Combs about his decision not to testify in his defense.” He asked Combs if it was his choice not to testify. Diddy said yes. The judge then asked if Diddy understood his rights and that this was his decision to make. Combs confirmed he understood and that this is solely his decision.

Following the jury’s return, attorney Anna Estevao presented the defense’s case. Diddy chose not to testify, and prosecutors chose not to offer a rebuttal, so the defense rested immediately after presenting.

Later that day, the prosecution filed a letter to the court, informing the judge that they are dropping some of their claims against Diddy. According to USA TODAY, those claims include allegations of “criminal racketeering by [attempted] kidnapping in California and New York and [attempted] arson in California… [as well as] a claim that Combs aided and abetted sex trafficking.”

Prosecution’s Closing Argument in Diddy Trial

Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik kicked off the prosecution’s closing argument on Thursday morning. She began by reminding jurors of the 2016 InterContinental Hotel hallway attack on Cassie. Slavik referenced prior testimony, recalling how “Kristina Khorram, Combs’ former chief of staff, and Combs’ lead security guard at the time, D-Roc, began working to clean up the situation for Combs.”

Slavik then recalled Jane’s brutal 2024 beating, highlighting how “shockingly similar” the two incidents were- despite being eight years apart, according to CNN. These are “not separate stories,” she told the jury. “They’re chapters in the same book. The story of Sean Combs and the criminal enterprise he led, made up of his inner circle.”

The assistant US attorney explained how Diddy’s “enterprise served him,” describing his assistants as “foot soldiers.” They “[promoted] and [protected Diddy’s] reputation, fulfilling his personal and sexual desires.” They enabled criminal activity and shielded Diddy “from law enforcement detection.” What Combs said went, so his employees did as they were told- “even when it meant facilitating a crime.” Slavik reminded jurors that Kristina Khorram, Diddy’s formed chief of staff, “knew where the defendant was and what he was doing at all times.”

A reminder: the jury must determine if Diddy (and/or a member of his enterprise) distributed drugs, bribed witnesses, committed arson, kidnapped, forced labor, facilitated sex trafficking, facilitated travel for commercial sex, and/or helped cover up crimes.

Prosecutor Slavik referenced prior testimony from Cassie Ventura, as well as Jane, that discussed the prevalence of drugs at every freak off. As the women testified, this- apparently- “essential ingredient” is what kept them “awake and compliant in rooms for days.”

Speaking of being in rooms for days, the prosecution next asked the jury to recall Capricorn Clark’s testimony. Slavik reminded jurors how Clark was locked in a hotel room for days and subjected to endless lie detector tests. The prosecution echoed the threat Diddy’s security levied against Clark (pass the test or be thrown into the East River) before moving on.

As Slavik prepared to address the two counts of sex trafficking, she asked jurors to keep a couple things in mind:

1. They must decide if Ventura and Jane were forced into sexual encounters “through threats, drugs, lies, manipulation, and violence.”
2. The prosecution acknowledges that both women agreed to various sexcapades throughout their relationships with Diddy, but that does not mean they consented every time.
3. The jury does not “need to find that all or the majority “Freak Offs” or “hotel nights” were the product of force, fraud or coercion.” Even just one encounter being the product of said conduct constitutes sex trafficking.
4. It is not a requirement for “Ventura or Jane to have explicitly said no to Combs at the time or try to run away.”

The prosecution recalled how the women pleaded with various employees of Diddy’s for help. They cited testimony from witnesses who say they saw or heard the women being abused. They brought up Combs’ countless reminders (or vaguely vailed threats) regarding Jane’s rent payments. They detailed the multitude of false promises Diddy used to coerce his partners. They reminded jurors of when Jane was throwing up at the infamous sobriety party hotel night and how Diddy refused to let her stop. They talked about Ventura’s numerous accounts of being forced to participate in sexcapades while on her period or suffering from UTIs. And who could forget about Diddy’s continuous threats to release freak off footage!

Slavik then recalled the time Diddy forced Jane into having sex with an escort after beating her senseless in 2024. She highlighted the fact that Diddy’s “defense doesn’t deny the abuse – they just want to call it domestic violence.” Slavik added, “that [the defense wants] to argue there was no connection between the abuse and the “Freak Offs…” However, she urged jurors to keep in mind that “the abuse happened before, after, and sometimes during the “Freak Offs.”

Regarding the racketeering charge, the prosecution asked the jury to consider those “grueling days-long sexual encounters… as forced labor.” From what the court has heard, many of those sexcapades were not pleasurable for Ventura or Jane. The women got sick, they developed sores, and contracted infections. CNN reports, it was so bad that “it got to a point where antibiotics were ineffective.”

Furthermore, numerous employees of Diddy’s testified about how they were tasked with sexcapade set up and clean up- as well as how they helped the women get ready. Slavik said, “it defied logic to think that Combs’ “most trusted lieutenants” were totally in the dark. “They knew what he was doing, and they helped him do it.”

The prosecution also told the jury that they should consider “Mia” a victim of forced labor as well. Even if she hadn’t been sexually assaulted or subjected to Diddy’s violent behavior, Mia was still treated “differently than many of the other personal assistants – [Diddy] demanded more [from her] …”

The treatment of Capricorn Clark should also be considered forced labor, according to the assistant US attorney.

Prosecutor Christy Slavik ended her closing argument by imploring the jury to hold Sean Combs accountable for his actions. “Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes because of his money, his power, his influence. That stops now.”

Defense’s Closing Argument in Diddy Trial

On Friday morning, Marc Agnifilo began presenting the defense’s closing argument. Before diving into the specifics, Agnifilo offered a general clarification regarding the evidence. According to him, everything the jury reviewed proved one thing, and one thing only: the defendant lived a certain “lifestyle.” That lifestyle was one of a “swinger,” reports CNN.

Sean “Diddy” Combs may have lived an unconventional life- and yes, he had his flaws- but he was also great man who cared deeply for others. Defense attorney Agnifilo pointed out how “Combs [practiced] diversity, equity and inclusion — known as DEI — before it was a mandated practice.” Agnifilo reminded jurors that “Combs paid for [Jane’s] home where she takes care of her child.” Agnifilo added that he hopes Jane is “having a nice day,” but emphasized to the court, that it’ll be “in a house [Diddy’s] paying for.”

Next, the defense took a jab at Homeland Security over their decision to raid Combs’ home. “Boxes of [artificial lubricant], taken off the streets — whoo! I feel better already,” Agnifilo jeered. “The streets of America are safe from the Astroglide… Thank goodness for the special response team,” he continued. “They found the Astroglide, they found the baby oil, they found like five valium pills. Way to go fellas.”

Circling back to Diddy’s romantic relationships, the defense continued to reaffirm that they “own the domestic violence.” Agnifilo highlighted how the defense did not “challenge the two ex-girlfriends who testified… about it.” He referenced Cassie Ventura’s cross-examination when underscoring that fact. “I don’t think we asked her a single question to challenge anything she said about being hit, being kicked, being dragged,” he reiterated.

While on the topic of Ventura, Agnifilo took the opportunity to remind the jury that “she was always free to leave. [Ventura] chose to stay because she was in love with [Diddy].” He didn’t stop there, though. Agnifilo recited the same argument that the defense has been making since text messages were first admitted. “You won’t find one where [Ventura’s] like, ‘I didn’t like that sex. I’m not attracted to you. I don’t like our sex life. It’s just not for me,’” Agnifilo explains.

And regarding the notion that Ventura was scared of Diddy? The defense thinks the prosecution’s argument is weak at best. CNN reports, Agnifilo called Ventura a “gangster,” and a liar who had an affair with Kid Cudi right under Combs’ nose. “She’s not afraid of him,” the defense echoed. “She was trying to pull of lying to both men.”

Capricorn Clark is another liar, according to Diddy’s defense. Agnifilo alleges that “Clark had a crush on Combs and wanted their platonic friendship to be more.” That life Clark testified about wanting back so badly? The defense says she was referring to the one “Sean Combs created and is at the center of…”

Agnifilo also alleges that Clark’s unrequited love caused her to color testimony regarding the Kid Cudi incident. The defense argued that Clark “was probably “so honored” that Combs finally came to her house for the first time.” There is no definitive proof that Combs arrived with a gun. Although Mescudi did remember Clark calling him in December 2011, he did not remember her mentioning that Combs had a gun. According to the police report, Mescudi didn’t mention a gun to the responding officer either. If Clark’s broken heart wasn’t coloring her testimony, then she must have lied about the gun “so it didn’t seem like she was helping… Combs.”

Diddy’s defense acknowledged that he was at Mescudi’s house that day- after all, the responding officer did catch the Escalade’s license plate (which was linked to Combs’ company) as it was leaving the scene of the crime. But Diddy had nothing to do with the car bombing. In fact, it would have been “out of character” for Diddy, as he was a “fighter,” Agnifilo argued. As heard in prior testimony, if Combs wanted to confront Kid Cudi, he would’ve been looking for a “good old fashion fist fight.”

As for Capricorn Clark’s kidnapping allegations, those seemed laughable to the defense. CNN reports, “Agnifilo likened her experience to the jury that spends long hours in this courthouse each day then goes home. “You’re about as kidnapped as she was kidnapped.” The defense reasoned that the incident may be unsettling- in fact, “[they] have no doubt she was unsettled but she was not kidnapped.”

Defense attorney Agnifilo moved on to the 2016 InterContinental Hotel incident next. Ventura returned to the room with Diddy and the security guard, so Agnifilo reasoned that she must not have thought it was “a scary place.” Did Diddy give the security team a stack of cash? Yes- but that “was about preventing “bad publicity.” The defense highlighted how there was no law enforcement investigation, therefore Combs did not commit bribery “under relevant law… and [he] wasn’t trying to hinder [any] investigation.” Additionally, there are messages from that day that mention “the drugs Combs took… which Agnifilo said were “different — the drugs were off, the drugs were bad.”

According to Diddy’s defense, prosecutors also “misled the jury when [they] suggested D-Roc, the former head of Combs’ security, was trying to give Mia money to influence her.” Agnifilo claimed D-Roc was just trying to offer “Mia” help, because she had told him she was out of money in a previous conversation. CNN reports, “Agnifilo did not address the other reach outs from D-Roc and Combs to Mia during the ongoing federal investigation.”

Government Accuses Diddy’s Defense of Improper Conduct

Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey approached Judge Arun Subramanian after he released the jury for a short break. She told the judge that Agnfilo “improperly suggested that Combs was charged with crimes like arson and kidnapping,” while discussing the Kid Cudi incident, “when they’re actually included as predicates of the racketeering count.” Comey said that Agnfilo also improperly “stated the InterContinental video shows a misdemeanor assault.” Additionally, the prosecution thinks that the defense “improperly asked the jury to consider why [they] charged a particular racketeering predicate…”

Judge Arun Subramanian agreed that those three issues “were “grossly improper,” particularly the one questioning charging decisions.” When the jury returned, the judge instructed them to disregard the defense’s comments regarding what matters to consider in deliberations. He clarified that “he would be the one instructing them on the law in this case,” reports CNN. Judge Arun Subramanian reiterated that it was improper for the defense to suggest “that [the jury] should consider prosecutors’ charging decisions” before allowing Agnifilo to resume.

Diddy’s Defense Wraps Up Closing Argument

Having left off on the topic of Mia, the defense took this time to discuss the sexual assault allegations she levied against their client. Agnifilo said the jury could be sure that “Combs and Mia had consensual sexual contact… because they saw a text from Combs to Mia [in which] he threatened to tell Cassie Ventura about [what happened].” The defense emphasized how Mia didn’t want Ventura to know- they were friends after all. He then prompted jurors to “[question] why Combs would threaten to tell Ventura about something he wrongfully did to Mia.

Agnifilo addressed the government’s drug allegation next. They claim Diddy and his enterprise “conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.” The defense believes there’s no evidence to support that claim, though. Again, Agnifilo acknowledged his client’s flaws: “There’s no doubt that he had personal-use drugs. He obviously had a drug problem-” and, yes, “it’s true that assistants picked up drugs for Combs,” admits Agnifilo. But “the purpose of these businesses and enterprise has nothing, nothing, nothing to do with getting [Diddy] drugs.”

Regarding the sex trafficking charge, the defense argued that “the sex life of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura” did not meet the criteria for such a crime. Agnifilo referenced the countless enthusiastic- and, at times, sexually explicit- messages regarding freak offs that Ventura sent to Combs. However, “he gave the jurors a hypothetical situation,” reports CNN, “in which one partner liked a particular sex act, and the second partner didn’t but knew the act made the first partner happy.” He asked jurors “[where that lands] on the ‘I want to do it, I don’t want to do it’ spectrum?”

Furthermore, Agnifilo argued that if there were times when the freak offs were not consensual, how was Diddy supposed to know? “There was nothing that would say to him (that) this was against her will,” the defense reasoned.

As for Diddy’s threats to release freak off footage, the defense concedes that he may have threatened to do so “from time to time, but he never would’ve actually done it.”

Circling back to Cassie Ventura, the defense wanted to address the rape allegation she made while testifying. Agnifilo reminded the jury that “Combs is not charged with rape so [they] don’t have to consider it.” He did want to point out, though, that Ventura testified the rape happened in August 2018- despite originally telling “federal investigators that she was raped in September 2018…” Did Ventura change her story to fit her timeline? Agnifilo says yes. Her now-husband “FaceTimed her in the middle of the night when she was with Combs. Her husband [finds out], so “she lies and says that she was raped,” Agnifilo hypothesized. Additionally, if Ventura had been raped, why would she visit Diddy again in October and have consensual sex with him? Agnifilo argues, “she would not have gone back and had consensual sex, so no rape.”

Moving on to the 2024 altercation with Jane, the defense suggested that she might have set Diddy up “because she knew there was an ongoing federal investigation…” Agnifilo theorized that Jane “picked the fight with Combs and then called a male “entertainer” to come over to create a narrative.”

Concerning the sex trafficking allegations in general, Diddy’s defense tried to use the government’s own logic against them. If the prosecution isn’t “saying every single ‘hotel night’ was sex trafficking… then, which ones were, and how’s Sean Combs supposed to know the difference?” Moreover, “the two men who are said to have had sex with Ventura during “Freak Offs” both testified that they aren’t prostitutes, and that they didn’t travel across state lines to meet Ventura and Combs.”

Next, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo pushed back on the government’s racketeering conspiracy charge. Prosecutors suggest that Kristina Khorram and D-Roc were co-conspirators of Diddy’s, but if that were the case- why would Cassie Ventura contact them after the InterContinental Hotel incident “if they were co-conspirators working only for Combs’ benefit?”

In closing, Diddy’s defense beseeched jurors to do “the right thing and acquit him of all the charges against him.” Agnifilo told the jury, “It would take courage to acquit Sean “Diddy” Combs,” but it’s what must be done because “he is innocent.” The defense ended with a final plea to “return [Diddy] to his family who have been waiting for him.”

Judge Admonishes Defense’s Conduct Again

Throughout Marc Agnifilo’s closing argument, he kept suggesting “to the jury that the government targeted Sean “Diddy” Combs.” Judge Arun Subramanian noticed this, calling the defense’s conduct improper. CNN reports that the judge will “instruct the jury that the government’s decisions about prosecutions are not for the jury to consider.”

The Government’s Rebuttal to Diddy’s Defense

Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey began her rebuttal by berating the defense’s decision “to blame [Sean “Diddy” Combs’] victims and the US government for his lies, his threats and for his inexcusable behavior.” She also reminded jurors that “in Sean Combs’ world, ‘no’ was never an option.”

As for the defense’s refutation of the federal transportation charges, Comey said it “doesn’t even pass the laugh test.” She refreshed the jury’s memory on what they’ve heard- how “[Diddy] flew escorts across the country, watched them have sex while he masturbated and then he handed them cash.” In what world does that sequence of events not correlate? She doubled down, explaining how “common sense alone shows you that when the defendant flew those escorts out, it was not for their scintillating conversation. It was for sex.”

The prosecution also reminded jurors that what the escorts thought of the interaction was irrelevant. “The law pertains to Combs’ state of mind when he transported the men for prostitution,” Comey continued. “Combs knew what he was doing was illegal because he said in text messages to Ventura that she needed to make sure escorts weren’t undercover cops.” Additionally, the jury saw text messages from Combs, in which he asked a potential escort if he was a cop.

Concerning the bribery allegations, Comey said that the non-disclosure agreement itself shows “that Combs was worried about law enforcement since it mentioned Garcia had to tell Combs if he received a court order.” She also reminded jurors how the security guard testified “that Combs told him not to make any big purchases with the money.” Prosecutors reasoned that Diddy would only do this “if he was worried the police may try to track down the video.”

Regarding the racketeering conspiracy, Comey reiterated how “Combs’ associates “played both sides…” Even with all that aside, the prosecution said it would still be ludicrous to suggest that Combs’ inner circle and security guards knew nothing about his crimes. The assistant US attorney reminded jurors that they were talking about a man “who [couldn’t] get himself his own water bottle or plug in his own phone charger… He certainly needed his inner circle to help him do things like obtain drugs…”

Moving on to Kid Cudi and the car bombing, Comey scoffed at the defense’s argument. She said the prosecution agrees, and it “makes total sense,” that Diddy prefers a “good old fashioned fight” when “he’s beating on a woman half his size… But when he’s going after a man who can match him physically, he’s bringing a gun.”

Comey focused on Ventura, Jane, and Mia next. She reiterated how preposterous it was to suggest that any of the women had financial motivation to testify. They were not gaining anything, and Ventura had “already secured $30 million in settlements from Combs and the InterContinental Hotel before testifying…” The assistant US attorney conceded that perhaps “Jane does have a financial incentive — but it’s to lie in favor of the defendant, to help him” since he is “still paying her rent and paying for her lawyer.”

Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey admonished the defense’s attempt to “separate the violence from the sex” that the women experienced. She reminded jurors how Combs would hit Ventura during some freak offs, and “highlighted the InterContinental Hotel attack as an instance where Ventura faced violence because Combs was upset a “Freak Off” was interrupted.” The assistant US attorney echoed her previous sentiment, “there’s no separating the violence from the sex.”

Comey affirmed that being a domestic abuser does not make you a sex trafficker- the defense is correct. But, she reminds jurors, “if part of the abuse is making your partner participate in a commercial sex act, you’re guilty of sex trafficking.”

CNN reports that “Jane… is the most clear-cut example of sex trafficking by Sean “Diddy” Combs because it’s the culmination of a persistent scheme of coercion.”

In closing, the prosecution told the jury to remember that “the defendant is not a god. He is a person. And in this courtroom, he stands equal before the law. Overwhelming evidence proves his guilt. It is time to hold him accountable. Find him guilty.”

Jury deliberations will begin on Monday.

Jurors Begin Deliberating in Diddy Trial

Judge Arun Subramanian began the day by instructing “the jury on the law as it applies to the charges in this case,” reports CNN. The judge then defined “the eight underlying acts” related to racketeering, as well as “the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution” and the sex trafficking counts.

The jury will decide “how long to deliberate each day,” and they get to pick who the foreperson will be. After appointing juror No. 5 as foreperson, the jury was sent off to deliberate.

It wouldn’t be long before issues began to arise, though. The jury sent a note to Judge Arun Subramanian shortly after deliberations began. The note was regarding concerns over juror No. 25 and their inability to follow the judge’s instructions.

In response, Judge Arun Subramanian told jurors to continue deliberating- as it is their duty to do so, and “their obligation to follow [his] instruction on the law.”

The jury later asked “whether an individual is considered a distributor if they gave substances to someone who asked for the drugs,” reports NBC News. The Government said yes, pointing “to lines on page 37 of the jury charge document, which [defined distributor].” Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued the opposite, claiming that the definition was inadequate.

On Tuesday, “The jury requested transcripts of testimony given by Cassie Ventura and Daniel Phillip…” According to NBC News, jurors “specifically asked for Ventura’s testimony about the March 2016 InterContinental Hotel assault, about when she and Combs were at the Cannes Film Festival and its aftermath, and about her “freak offs” with Phillip. The note also asked what Phillip told the court about a “freak off” at the Essex hotel.”

The prosecution and the defense agreed to send transcripts of Phillip’s testimony, as well as “one of the sections regarding the Cannes incident,” but “there was a dispute over where to cut off the events after…”

Towards the end of the day, the jury informed Judge Arun Subramanian that they had “reached a verdict on four of the counts but [were] unable to reach a consensus on the racketeering charge.” NBC News reports that some jurors had “unpersuadable views.”

The judge, prosecution, and defense all agreed that jurors should keep deliberating regardless. Judge Arun Subramanian “read jurors an Allen charge, which is also informally called a “dynamite charge,” telling [them] to keep talking to find a way to agree on a verdict.” He also reminded jurors that “they should not hesitate to change opinions when they are convinced… They must weight their opinions dispassionately.”

Diddy Trial Verdict

1. Racketeering Conspiracy: NOT GUILTY
2. Sex Trafficking of Casandra Ventura: NOT GUILTY
3. The Mann Act Transportation of Casandra Ventura: GUILTY
4. Sex Trafficking of Jane: NOT GUILTY
5. The Mann Act Transportation of Jane: GUILTY

After seven long weeks of testimony and three days of deliberation, the jury found Sean Combs guilty on two out of five counts. Judge Arun Subramanian thanked the jury for their time and reminded them to refrain from discussing “their specific deliberations” with the media. “What happens in the jury room,” the judge emphasized, “stays in the jury room.”

Diddy’s defense asked Judge Arun Subramanian to release their client on bail since he has been cleared of all sex trafficking charges. They proposed house arrest at Diddy’s Miami residence and “offered a $1 million bond,” according to NBC News. The prosecution, of course, opposed this idea- underscoring the importance that Combs “remain in jail until sentencing.” The judge did not make an immediate decision. Instead, he “agreed to take submissions on the matter from both [parties] at 1 p.m.”

NBC News reports that Diddy fell to his knees afterward. He had “his head down in a chair, seemingly praying after avoiding life in prison on the highest charges in his case.” Combs’ family erupted in applause, cheering for their loved one’s legal victory. Diddy’s defense celebrated too, hugging one another as well as their client.

Regardless of whether Diddy is released on bail, the government said, “they will ask for Combs to be sentenced to consecutive 10-year terms, the maximum time for his two guilty counts.” However, in a letter to the court, prosecutor Comey said their “sentencing guidelines [will] range from 51 to 63 months.”

Judge Arun Subramanian denied Diddy’s bail request. The judge concurred with the prosecution, noting that they “appropriately cited the section of the Bail Reform Act that requires Combs remain in custody until his sentencing…” He also listed the defendant’s “propensity for violence” when “outlining reasons why [Diddy] was denied bail.”

Court will resume October 3^rd for sentencing- though that date may get moved up. “The defense is seeking a term of 21 to 27 months,” reports NBC News. Combs’ time detained thus far will count towards his time served upon sentencing.

Diddy Sentenced to 4 Years in Jail

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will serve 50 months in prison! However, the 13 months he’s been imprisoned for will count toward time served, so Sean Combs will only have to serve 37 months. The prosecution sought an 11 year term, while the defense asked for a mere 14 months, according to NBC News.

The court heard statements from Combs family and the defendant himself before a ruling was made. Judge Subramanian acknowledged that Combs “is a self-made artist who has “inspired and lifted up communities worldwide.” He also applauded the disgraced music mogul for the “impressive” work he’s done behind bars. However, the judge added, he has “to consider “all” of Combs’ history.” The good does not cancel out the “physical, emotional, and psychological” abuse he inflicted on women he “professed to love.”

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