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.”

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