Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing intensified scrutiny as new allegations emerge involving illicit recordings that allegedly feature eight celebrity figures, including two to three underage stars. Courtney Burgess, a former associate of Combs' late ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, testified before a Manhattan grand jury on Thursday, claiming to have been given 11 flash drives containing explicit recordings. According to Burgess, the videos depict six male and two female celebrities involved in various acts with Combs, with all participants seemingly under the influence.
During his testimony, Burgess stated that "all of them" appeared in a compromised state, with no participants acting as willing participants. He elaborated on these claims in an interview with NewsNation's "Banfield," describing how "two to three" individuals shown in the tapes were believed to be minors. "All appeared to be victims," Burgess asserted, adding that he received the videos from Porter, who allegedly documented her own experiences with Combs.
The allegations come as Combs faces significant legal battles, including an indictment on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution. The indictment claims he orchestrated violent, non-consensual encounters and recorded several, later using these recordings for blackmail and intimidation. Burgess's testimony suggests the alleged tapes are not just evidence of misconduct but also depict a side of Combs' life that has remained hidden from the public eye. He described the tapes as "the story of what Diddy has done over the past 30 years," according to his lawyer, Ariel Mitchell.
In addition to the flash drives, Burgess also claimed possession of a manuscript from Porter titled, Kim's Lost Words: A Journey for Justice, from the Other Side. The manuscript, which gained popularity after Combs' recent arrest, reportedly chronicles years of alleged abuse and coercion endured by Porter. The book, briefly available on Amazon, was pulled from the site following objections from Combs' seven children. Ariel Mitchell further stated, "I can verify that it exists. That it's real and that the other person in the video is very visible."
The allegations against Combs have sparked a public debate, with some questioning the timing and validity of Burgess's claims. Notably, attorney Mark Geragos, representing Combs through his daughter, Teny Geragos, voiced skepticism about Burgess's testimony. "I think the prosecutors think he failed the smell test, and I suspect they brought him in front of the grand jury because I don't think anyone is buying what he's selling," Geragos commented on CNN's CUOMO.
Combs, who is currently held without bail in federal custody in Brooklyn, maintains his innocence. His legal team has consistently condemned the surge in accusations as attempts at "publicity," with Combs previously stating that he has "full confidence in the facts and integrity of the judicial process." His trial is scheduled for May, but new evidence or additional defendants could push back the date.
Since the indictment was unsealed in September, a series of civil lawsuits have emerged against Combs. A plaintiff accused him of raping a 10-year-old boy in 2005, while another lawsuit details an incident involving a 13-year-old girl allegedly drugged and assaulted during a VMAs afterparty. These allegations, combined with the recent claims about the tapes, mark a deepening of the legal and public relations challenges for Combs.
Burgess, who has reportedly been contacted by agents from the Department of Homeland Security, told Banfield that he was subpoenaed to hand over "all records, including thumb drives, hard drives, electronic storage devices, or devices containing videos and/or other files depicting Diddy." However, he stated he no longer possesses the flash drives. This admission has raised questions about the whereabouts and chain of custody of the purported evidence, casting further uncertainty on how the tapes might factor into the ongoing legal proceedings.
As the case unfolds, Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee represents more than 100 alleged victims who claim to have suffered abuse by Combs, including underage individuals. Combs' lawyers, however, continue to deny the accusations, categorizing the numerous lawsuits and testimonies as orchestrated attacks on the hip-hop mogul's legacy.
Combs' legal team remains outspoken in defending his innocence. Despite mounting public and legal pressure, they maintain that the testimonies and evidence presented thus far fail to withstand scrutiny. A prior statement from Combs' representatives emphasized his trust in the judicial process, underscoring his confidence in the legal defenses set to be argued in his upcoming trial.
