Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial took a dramatic turn Tuesday as a former hotel security guard testified that the music mogul paid him $100,000 in cash to suppress surveillance footage of an alleged 2016 assault on singer Cassie Ventura. The video, now central to the government's case, shows Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.
Testifying under an immunity order, Eddy Garcia told jurors at the Manhattan federal courthouse that Combs contacted him directly after learning the InterContinental Hotel had captured the incident. "He was concerned this video would get out and it would ruin his career," Garcia said, describing the mogul as "nervous" and "talking really fast." Garcia said Combs referred to him as "Eddy my angel" and promised, "he would take care of me."
Garcia said Combs eventually handed him a brown paper bag stuffed with $100,000 after demanding he sign a nondisclosure agreement and certify that no other copies of the video existed. Jurors heard that Combs also placed a FaceTime call to Ventura during the meeting, in which she told Garcia she wanted the footage to "go away" due to a forthcoming film release.
The video, presented to jurors last week, has been described as a key piece of evidence. Ventura, who testified earlier, said the altercation happened as she fled one of Combs' "freak-offs"-drug- and alcohol-fueled sex parties where she claimed he coerced women into acts with male escorts. "When I chose to leave, I grabbed what I could and I got out," Ventura testified. "Sean followed me into the hallway before the elevators and grabbed me up, threw me on the ground, kicked me, [and] tried to drag me back to the room."
Combs has pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force. His attorneys do not deny the 2016 assault, which Combs publicly apologized for last year, but insist the $100,000 payment was to avoid negative press, not obstruction of justice.
The prosecution contends otherwise. Prosecutors said this payment was a bribe, describing it as a foundational element of Combs' alleged racketeering operation. Prosecutors allege Combs used his business empire-including his music label Bad Boy Entertainment and other ventures-as a front to conceal criminal activity ranging from sexual exploitation to financial coercion.
To reinforce that point, the government also called former Bad Boy CFO Derek Ferguson, who explained the structure of Combs' financial empire and detailed how employees were reimbursed for purchases related to "freak-offs." Ferguson confirmed a series of suspicious wire transfers in 2011 involving Cassie Ventura and her parents. Documents showed $20,000 sent from Combs to Cassie Ventura, followed by a $20,000 transfer from her father, Broderick Ventura, back to Combs, and then another $20,000 labeled "return of funds."
Last month, Regina Ventura, Cassie's mother, testified that Combs demanded the $20,000 after discovering Cassie was dating rapper Kid Cudi. She said she feared for her daughter's safety and took out a home equity loan to pay Combs, who returned the money days later without explanation.
On Wednesday, the trial is expected to resume with three more government witnesses. Among them is Bryana Bongolan, who previously accused Combs of dangling her over a balcony, and another accuser known only as "Jane," whose testimony may last five days. Prosecutors say Jane is the final alleged victim they will present.
Earlier in the day, the courtroom was briefly disrupted when a heckler-who identified herself outside as a Combs supporter-shouted obscenities and was removed. "Everyone is laughing at Diddy," she yelled before U.S. Marshals escorted her out.
Judge Arun Subramanian also indicated he may respond to a prosecution complaint that a media outlet revealed the identity of "Mia," a previous witness testifying under a pseudonym. Prosecutors have requested the post be taken down.
