The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where he faces serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, continued this week with key testimony focusing on alleged “freak-off” events and the financial records prosecutors claim link them to a criminal enterprise. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Special Agent DeLeassa Penland with the U.S. attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York returned to the stand, continuing her testimony as a summary witness. Penland presented extensive records, including texts, travel documents, and hotel bills, aiming to illustrate the logistics and financial backing of alleged “freak-offs” involving Combs and various individuals, including former girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman referred to by the alias “Jane” in court. Both Ventura and “Jane” allege they were sex-trafficked by Combs.
Evidence Presented Details Alleged “Freak-Off” Logistics
Through Penland’s testimony, prosecutors presented evidence intended to show how these encounters were allegedly facilitated and paid for. This included:
Financial Records: American Express statements linked to Combs, totaling substantial monthly charges (up to $944,059), were shown, with expenses often paid by Bad Boy Entertainment bank accounts. Specific examples included a hotel bill for over $46,000 in damages at a New York City penthouse in 2012, travel records for alleged escorts like Jules Theodore (who Ventura testified was hired), and payments for items like Diptyque candles, all purportedly connected to these events.
Communications: Texts and call logs were reviewed. Messages between Combs and Ventura were highlighted by both sides – the prosecution focusing on moments of alleged coercion and control, while the defense emphasized messages suggesting consent and even enthusiasm from Ventura regarding participating in “freak-offs.”
Travel Arrangements: Penland detailed how travel for individuals allegedly involved in these encounters, including escorts, was arranged and financed through Combs’ associated accounts.
Videos: Jurors were shown graphic video excerpts, created between 2012 and 2014, that prosecutors claim depict “freak-offs.” While the public gallery could not see or clearly hear the footage, reports indicated visible reactions from some jurors.
Defense Argues Consent and Challenges Prosecution Evidence
Combs’ defense attorney, Teny Geragos, conducted a cross-examination of Agent Penland, seeking to undermine the prosecution’s narrative. The defense strategy heavily relies on portraying the sexual activities, including “freak-offs,” as consensual arrangements between adults, part of a “swinger lifestyle,” rather than coerced acts of sex trafficking.
Geragos challenged the completeness of the prosecution’s evidence charts, suggesting important context was omitted, particularly texts where Ventura appeared to express willingness or even schedule “freak-offs.” By showing explicit messages from Ventura and playing video excerpts, the defense aimed to convince the jury that the relationship and sexual encounters were more complex than presented by the government, allowing for the possibility of voluntary participation. While Combs’ lawyers have conceded that he was sometimes physically abusive, they deny that the federal charges apply to the alleged sexual conduct.
Brendan Paul Expected to Testify
Adding another layer to the proceedings, former Combs assistant Brendan Paul is expected to testify. Paul, previously arrested in connection with the Department of Homeland Security’s raid on Combs’ Miami home, has been granted immunity for his testimony. He is anticipated to be questioned about allegedly procuring drugs, including GHB, for Combs and his entourage. Paul may be the final fact witness called by the prosecution.
The 2016 Hotel Incident and Alleged Witness Pressure
Evidence related to the widely publicized 2016 hotel assault on Cassie Ventura was also revisited. The jury was shown surveillance footage of the attack again, followed by phone records and messages exchanged afterward. These included panicked communications from Combs to Ventura, during which he falsely claimed he was “about to be arrested” while trying to get her to return.
Messages allegedly linking Combs’ former staff, including chief of staff Kristina Khorram and bodyguard Damian Butler (“D-Roc”), to the aftermath were also presented. Evidence suggested Khorram contacted hotel security and texted about covering damages, reportedly suggesting framing the incident as a “fun drunk night” to gather information. Butler allegedly called Ventura and later texted Combs that her “face don’t look bad. She good.” Prosecutors have suggested Khorram and Butler were central to the alleged racketeering, though neither has been charged, and their lawyers have denied wrongdoing. Prosecution evidence also included testimony from a former assistant (“Mia”) who claimed Butler pressured her after the Ventura lawsuit became public.
Courtroom Dynamics and Procedural Issues
The trial has seen its share of procedural issues. Earlier, Juror No. 6 was dismissed due to conflicting statements about his residence, raising concerns about credibility. The judge, Arun Subramanian, also expressed strong disapproval and announced an investigation into a potential leak of sealed juror information to tabloids, warning of possible contempt charges.
High-profile individuals mentioned in the proceedings, like Kid Cudi and Dawn Richard, have reportedly testified. While names like Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio have surfaced, it’s clarified they were mentioned only in relation to events Combs attended and are not accused of wrongdoing or expected to testify. Reports of Eddie Murphy testifying have been explicitly debunked.
The prosecution has indicated they may rest their case as early as this week. The defense anticipates their case presentation could last between two and five days, potentially adjusted based on trial flow. If the defense case is brief, the judge has noted that jury charging could potentially occur next week. Sean Combs remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The trial is not being televised.
References
- www.nbcnews.com
- <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/sean-diddy-combs-trial-updates-testimony-resume-monday?id=122882825&entryId=122896191&cid=socialtwitterabcn”>abcnews.go.com
- abc7ny.com
- abc11.com
- www.usatoday.com
