The high-profile federal trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, facing serious charges including sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy, is now in its sixth week of testimony in New York City. Combs has entered a plea of not guilty to all accusations, which were originally detailed in a blockbuster federal indictment filed in September 2024, followed by superseding indictments.
This story may contain accounts and descriptions of actual or alleged events that some readers may find disturbing.
Prosecutors contend that Combs acted as the ringleader of an alleged criminal enterprise that “abused, threatened and coerced women” into participating in prolonged, drug-fueled sexual orgies, which he allegedly called “freak offs.” They claim he then threatened the women into silence. In contrast, Combs maintains that all sexual activity was consensual. While acknowledging that his relationships sometimes involved domestic violence, he vehemently denies engaging in trafficking. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has publicly stated that Combs was simply part of the swinger lifestyle and denies the accusations from the Southern District of New York (SDNY), looking forward to his day in court.
Inside the Courtroom: Evidence Presented
During a recent day of proceedings, federal prosecutors presented key evidence to the jury before court adjourned for the day.
Explicit Video Footage
The jury was shown excerpts of videos allegedly depicting “freak-off” encounters. Obtained from a laptop provided by Combs’ former long-term girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, the footage was reportedly played by the prosecution to support their claim that Ventura and male escorts were brought to New York City hotels for sexual encounters arranged by Combs. While one video reportedly lasted nearly 40 minutes, jurors viewed only a portion. Due to the explicit nature, the public present in the courtroom was not shown the content.
Supporting Communications and Financials
Alongside the video evidence, prosecutors introduced text messages and financial documents they argue further support their case:
Text Messages: A 2013 text exchange between Combs and Ventura was shown, where he allegedly asked, “Want to celebrate Christmas and have a ‘freak-off?'” Subsequent texts were presented, which prosecutors claim summoned four escorts to a hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Texts between Combs and a male escort named Jules arranging a date and travel details for a December 2009 flight from Los Angeles to New York were also shown, along with instructions for hotel pickup. An email from Combs directing someone at his company to book the flight for Jules was also part of the evidence. Messages from October 2012 between Combs and Ventura discussed preparations for an evening encounter, including Ventura using the alias “Janet Clark” for a hotel reservation. In a text exchange, Ventura allegedly messaged an escort known as “The Punisher” using this alias.
Financial Records: Credit card and bank statements were presented, which prosecutors argue tie Combs’ business, Bad Boy Entertainment, to payments for alleged “freak-off” related travel. An American Express statement under the account holder Bad Boy Entertainment Worldwide reportedly showed payment for Cassie Ventura and the male escort, Jules Theodore, to fly separately to New York in December 2009. Additionally, invoices and travel documents from October 2012 listed Bad Boy Entertainment on a travel invoice for Ventura’s trip to New York and a reservation at the Trump International Hotel in Columbus Circle under the alias “Janet Clark.” The prosecution contends these documents demonstrate how Combs allegedly intermingled his business and personal interests as part of a criminal enterprise, an accusation Combs denies. SDNY Special Agent DeLeassa Penland served as a summary witness, presenting messages and documents related to travel arrangements for the escort Jules, which Cassie Ventura had previously testified about.
The Broader Case Context
The evidence presented this week is part of the prosecution’s broader case, which has included extensive testimony from alleged victims and others connected to Combs.
Alleged Victim Testimony: Beyond the evidence presented this day, the trial has heard disturbing testimony from multiple women. Cassie Ventura, who dated Combs from 2007 to 2018, testified about feeling her music career was hindered while allegedly being forced into “freak offs” that were drug-fueled, lasted for days, and often involved sex with other men in Combs’ presence, leading to sleep deprivation and dehydration. Ventura also detailed graphic alleged incidents of physical abuse, including being beaten and stomped on, punched and kicked, and lunged at with a wine bottle opener, with photos of her injuries shown in court. She testified about feeling controlled by Combs through blackmail, specifically alleging he filmed explicit “freak-off” encounters and threatened to release them to “make me look like a slut” or embarrass her, even playing a video on a commercial flight as a warning. Ventura also recounted a specific alleged rape in August 2018. She shared that she had considered suicide in 2023 due to trauma from her relationship with Combs and was testifying “to do the right thing.” It was revealed during her testimony that her civil lawsuit against Combs, alleging a decade of abuse and violence, was settled for $20 million just one day after it was filed.
Other witnesses referred to by aliases have also testified: “Mia,” an alleged former assistant for eight years, accused Combs of forcing her to perform oral sex, non-consensual penetration, and physical abuse including throwing objects and throwing her against a wall. “Jane,” who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024, testified about transactional “hotel nights” where she felt she had to be under the influence of drugs to participate, and which Combs allegedly watched. Jane described these encounters as leaving her feeling “lonely and sad,” causing physical pain, and leading to arguments documented in texts and notes where she referred to him making things “completely transactional” and threatening her. Jane also testified that Combs exerted financial control over her, paying her a monthly allowance for rent but allegedly using it to “hover the house over my head.”
- Additional Evidence & Testimony: Other trial weeks saw testimony regarding a 2016 hotel surveillance video allegedly showing Combs assaulting Ventura. A forensic video analyst testified the footage was unaltered, while a hotel security guard testified that Combs allegedly paid him $100,000 in cash for the video and required an NDA. Testimony from former Bad Boy Entertainment CFO Derek Ferguson was presented, where the defense highlighted he never witnessed crimes, while the prosecution noted his limited view of Combs’ personal activities. Allegations that Combs dangled Ventura’s friend, Bryana Bongolan (‘Bana’), from a balcony have also been referenced, with Bongolan potentially testifying.
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Background and Case History
The federal investigation leading to the charges against Combs reportedly involved raids on his homes in California and Miami in March 2024. Combs was arrested on September 16, 2024, in Manhattan and has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn after being denied bail three times by Judge Andrew L. Carter, who cited a “serious risk” of witness tampering.
The charges followed a period of increasing public scrutiny, including the filing of the multi-million dollar civil lawsuit by Cassie Ventura in November 2023 (quickly settled) and the May 2024 release of the CNN hotel surveillance footage allegedly showing the assault on Ventura. Following the CNN footage, Combs released a video expressing remorse, stating he had sought professional help and was committed to being a better man.
Combs faces accusations in at least 30 other lawsuits, although one high-profile suit alleging rape of a 13-year-old girl by Combs and Jay-Z was dismissed in February. Combs also reportedly turned down a plea deal before jury selection began. The trial is expected to last approximately two months.
Trial Updates & Outlook
Beyond the evidence presentation, administrative matters regarding the jury were addressed as court concluded for the day. The defense asked Judge Arun Subramanian for clarification on what, if anything, the jury was told about the dismissal of Juror No. 6, which occurred following questions about the juror’s candor. Judge Subramanian stated he would find out and inform the parties before court resumed. An issue involving a second juror was also discussed during a brief period when the courtroom was closed to the public, related to alleged “communications with his former colleague” regarding jury service. The specifics of this issue were not publicly disclosed.
Prosecutors have indicated they may rest their case as early as the upcoming Wednesday. The defense has signaled its intention to call as many as three or more witnesses, potentially beginning Friday. Among the first defense witnesses expected is Vashta Dunlap, a former vice president at Bad Boy Entertainment. The trial continues as testimony and evidence presentation proceed.
