Content warning: This article includes detailed descriptions that may be distressing for some readers.
The extent of the alleged sexual abuse and violence by Sean “Diddy” Combs is under intense scrutiny as his criminal trial resumes with witness testimonies. Combs’ former girlfriend Casandra Ventura Fine, also known as “Cassie,” is expected to be a key witness for the prosecution in the rapper’s sex trafficking case. The trial is set to feature testimony from multiple of Combs’ accusers and former employees who allegedly aided in his actions.
Prosecutors claim that Combs coerced women into relationships, involved them in drug-fueled parties, and then used recorded videos of these encounters to blackmail them. The 55-year-old rapper is facing charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and engaging in prostitution, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Combs’ defense attorney, Teny Geragos, argues that the prosecution is distorting his client’s romantic relationships into a more serious criminal case. Witness Daniel Phillip is continuing his testimony, recounting incidents where Combs exhibited violent behavior towards Cassie. The trial also includes Ventura Fine testifying against Combs, accusing him of trafficking, raping, and assaulting her over a span of years.
The court proceedings involve a video from 2016 showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie, which was shown to the jury. Despite the ongoing trial, Ventura Fine has maintained privacy about the details of her past experiences with Combs.
The scene unfolds as Combs is seen grabbing Ventura Fine’s belongings and dragging her into the hallway, leaving her behind. After a moment of lying motionless on the ground, Ventura Fine gets up and walks to a hotel phone mounted on the wall. Combs returns shortly thereafter, appearing to grab at the phone and then sits across from Ventura Fine. In a fit of anger, he throws a vase in her direction, shattering it. Combs later apologized after the video aired on CNN in 2024. Prosecutors allege that this incident occurred during one of Combs’ “freak offs” and is evidence of him trafficking Ventura Fine for sex.
During court proceedings, the prosecution called their first witness, Israel Florez, a former security officer at the Los Angeles hotel where surveillance video captured Combs assaulting Ventura Fine in 2016. Florez described the assault at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel, which was leaked in footage from May 2024. The prosecution played the hotel security footage, showing Combs stalking the hallway, physically attacking Ventura Fine, and preventing her from leaving.
Upon Florez’s arrival at the scene, he noted Ventura Fine appeared scared while Combs gave him a menacing look. Ventura Fine simply wanted to gather her belongings and leave, but Combs allegedly tried to stop her. Florez escorted Combs back to his room and informed him that he would be responsible for the damages. Combs reportedly offered Florez money to keep quiet about the altercation, but Florez declined the offer.
The defense attempted to portray a different narrative to the jurors regarding the violent footage. They argued that the altercation was about a phone and not about coercing Ventura Fine into sex. Prosecutors contended that Combs used force, fraud, and coercion to control women, including sex workers, in his “freak offs.” The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO) was cited as a tool to prosecute organizations involved in criminal activities like racketeering.
During the trial, Combs reacted strongly to discussions about his relationship with Cassie and the allegations of criminal behavior during the “freak off” parties. The defense emphasized that Ventura Fine had autonomy in her decisions and willingly stayed with Combs until she chose to leave him.
During a discussion about which drugs to take before a sexual performance, Combs took a deep breath and shifted in his seat. Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, was seen at the courthouse on May 12 during the first day of opening arguments in the Diddy trial. Fine, who married Cassie in 2019, has two children with her and is expecting a third.
Prosecutors informed the jury to anticipate viewing videos of Combs’ alleged “freak offs” – meticulously planned, sometimes spanning days, sexual encounters that the music mogul is accused of arranging. These encounters, reportedly fueled by illicit substances and involving male escorts, were allegedly used to blackmail his ex-girlfriend, Cassie.
It was alleged in court that Combs employed deception, drugs, threats, and violence to coerce individuals into engaging in sexual acts in the presence of male escorts. The encounters often lasted for days, sometimes involving multiple escorts and travel out of state. Witnesses claimed that Combs oversaw every aspect, providing supplies such as lubricants, linens, drugs, and cash for the escorts, while he himself consumed drugs, including MDMA, to maintain endurance. Prosecutors also alleged that Combs engaged in inappropriate behavior during these encounters.
According to prosecutors, Combs physically abused Cassie, forcing her to participate in the “freak offs” and filming the encounters as a form of blackmail. Allegedly, these videos were reminders of traumatic experiences for Cassie. Despite her initial reluctance, Cassie felt pressured to participate out of love for Combs. The prosecutor recounted instances of violence, including an alleged incident in 2009 where Combs reportedly assaulted Cassie in a vehicle.
Combs’ defense team accused the prosecution of bias against Black jurors. Members of Combs’ family, including his mother and children, showed support by attending the trial proceedings.
Combs faces federal charges related to sex crimes and trafficking, which have significantly impacted his reputation within the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and charged with various offenses, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and engaging in criminal activities under the RICO Act.
Racketeering involves participating in illegal activities as part of a criminal organization, allowing the government to target groups involved in criminal behavior. According to Combs’ indictment, his alleged criminal activities included kidnapping, arson, bribery, witness tampering, forced labor, sex trafficking, prostitution, and drug distribution.
Numerous civil suits have been filed alleging a longstanding pattern of abusive conduct and exploitation, with claims of rape, sexual assault, and physical violence spanning many years. The Diddy trial will not be broadcast, as cameras are usually prohibited in federal criminal trials. USA TODAY will provide live updates from the courtroom.
