The high-profile sex trafficking and racketeering trial against hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is drawing to a close in a New York courtroom. After six weeks of proceedings, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are winding down their case, presenting a wealth of documentation and witness testimony to support charges that Combs used his multi-billion dollar enterprise as a criminal operation.
Combs faces serious allegations, including sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion involving his former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another individual identified as “Jane,” as well as charges related to transporting individuals for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bail. The indictment specifically accuses Combs of employing “force, threats of force and coercion” to compel victims into extended sexual encounters with male escorts, referred to as “Freak Offs.”
This past week saw crucial testimony and the presentation of striking evidence highlighting the prosecution’s narrative of alleged control, exploitation, and illicit activity.
Inside the Courtroom: Key Witness Testimony
Brendan Paul Takes the Stand:
Among the witnesses this week was Brendan Paul, Combs’ recent former personal assistant. Paul, who was arrested for cocaine possession during the March 2024 raids on Combs’ residences, has been referenced in civil lawsuits as Combs’ alleged “drug mule.” On the stand, Paul denied this label, claiming the drugs found in his personal luggage were accidentally stashed there while cleaning Combs’ room. He stated he didn’t tell police the truth out of “loyalty.”
Despite denying the “mule” descriptor, Paul admitted to repeatedly purchasing and delivering drugs for Combs during his 18 months as an assistant. He testified to buying “hard drugs” like ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, and tusi between five and 10 times, paying between $300 and $500 per transaction, which he considered to be for “personal use.” Paul also detailed helping restock Combs’ marijuana supply every other month, paying $4,200 for substantial quantities. Paul’s testimony was presented by prosecutors to help bolster their racketeering conspiracy charge against Combs, aiming to show the alleged use of loyal staff in facilitating illegal activities.
“Jane” (Victim-2) Concludes Lengthy Testimony:
Another pivotal witness whose testimony spanned six days was “Jane,” identified in the indictment as Victim-2. An ex-girlfriend of Combs, Jane faced intense cross-examination from the defense, which sought to portray Combs’ sexual activities as consensual “kinky sex” within long-term relationships, challenging the sex trafficking allegations.
Jane testified about an incident in January 2024 in a Las Vegas hotel room involving a world-famous rapper, a male escort previously hired by Combs, and others. The defense highlighted this to suggest a voluntary engagement in a “swingers lifestyle.” Jane explained she was in the room inadvertently during an afterparty and left quickly, witnessing the scene and interacting briefly with the rapper.
Throughout her lengthy testimony, Jane recounted the trauma of her three-and-a-half-year relationship with Combs, which began in 2021. She described feeling “obligated” to participate in “hotel nights” or “freak-offs” with male escorts after initially agreeing to please Combs, calling it a “Pandora’s box” that left her feeling “helpless to stop.” Prosecutors argue Jane was predominantly sex trafficked by fraud, believing participation would lead to quality time with Combs that never materialized.
Jane also detailed an alleged violent incident in June 2024, where Combs allegedly threatened to release intimate videos, broke down doors during a fight, put her in a chokehold, and punched and kicked her. She testified that after this alleged assault, Combs asked her to cover her injuries with makeup for a “forced” sex session with a male escort – the same escort from the Vegas party.
The defense challenged Jane’s motives, suggesting she was driven by jealousy and material gain, referencing money, rent payments, and gifts from Combs. Jane vehemently denied this, stating she loved Combs and only desired reciprocated love, feeling her decisions were controlled by emotional manipulation. She testified that reading Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit felt like reading her “own story” and expressed resentment that Combs knew how much she loved him and that she “couldn’t say no to him,” equating this resentment with regret.
Striking Evidence Presented
Prosecutors also presented compelling physical and digital evidence to the jury this week.
Crass Texts with Cassie Ventura:
New text messages between Combs and Cassie Ventura from March 2017 were shown, illustrating the alleged dynamic of their relationship as it deteriorated. Texts presented showed Combs inquiring about a potential “freak-off.” Later, Ventura texted him about an apparent physical altercation: “WTF. Really… You threw out all my shit… You [beat] my head in.”
Following an argument, Combs responded with crass messages, accusing Ventura of provoking him by resisting during a “freak-off”: “You really think you can have me jerk my dick for ten hours and not come… I’m trying to figure out how I get this nut out my dick.” Days later, Ventura texted, “You treat me like a hooker, to be honest… This hooker has been here for 10 years,” though she also added, “I love our FO’s when we both want it.” Prosecutors used these texts as part of their argument that Ventura was a sex trafficking victim through force and coercion.
Aftermath of the 2016 LA Incident:
While the disturbing surveillance video of Combs allegedly assaulting Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in March 2016 was not the focus this week, prosecutors presented evidence detailing the frantic events that allegedly unfolded immediately afterward. Text and phone records showed Combs calling Ventura eight times in rapid succession, and then over 30 more times in the following hour after she left. Ventura’s texts showed visible injuries (“black eye,” “fat lip”) and her resolve to leave, telling Combs, “You are sick for thinking it’s okay to do what you’ve done.”
The timeline showed Combs’ personal team mobilizing to locate him and convince Ventura to speak with him. Evidence also suggested efforts to secure the hotel surveillance footage. A hotel security guard testified he brokered a deal with Combs for the video, receiving a $100,000 cash payment that he split with two colleagues. The timeline showed Combs and his team having numerous contacts with the security guard in the days following the incident.
Extensive Hotel Damage Photos:
Jurors were shown photos documenting thousands of dollars in damage allegedly incurred by Combs at hotels, particularly The London in West Hollywood, following purported “freak-offs.” Housekeeping images depicted suites in extreme disarray, with furniture and floors soaked in lubricant and baby oil. Photos showed heaps of dirty towels and linens, sometimes stained with blood or a purple residue. One hotel record from June 2023 noted a new mattress at The London was “soaked in oil,” preventing the placement of clean sheets.
Trial Logistics and What’s Next
The week also saw interruptions to court proceedings due to juror issues. One juror was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian due to inconsistent answers about his residency, which the judge deemed damaged his credibility. A leak of details from a sealed meeting regarding another juror prompted a stern warning from the judge about potential sanctions. Additionally, a juror experiencing vertigo caused a day’s cancellation.
After presenting evidence and testimony from over 30 witnesses, prosecutors are expected to rest their case early next week. The defense, which had previously indicated a case lasting two to four days, amended this timeline and could reportedly rest as soon as Tuesday. The defense has not confirmed who will testify but has previously suggested a former Bad Boy HR executive and a psychiatrist could be called. Judge Subramanian has stated his expectation for the trial to be wrapped up by the July 4th holiday, potentially influencing the defense’s expedited timeline to allow the jury ample deliberation time.
As the trial enters its final phase, the jury will soon face the task of weighing the extensive evidence and testimony presented against Sean Combs regarding the severe charges he faces.
