
Diddy's ex-assistant who ‘called him the Devil' set to ‘share new details about Kid Cudi break-in' at trafficking trial
The third week of testimony in
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs pictured in a sketch image on Thursday during prosecutor Emily Johnson's questioning of rapper Kid Cudi
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Capricorn Clark, Sean Combs' former assistant, pictured at Bloomingdale's in New York City in 2013
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Rapper Kid Cudi leaves the US District Courthouse on Thursday after testifying at Combs' sex trafficking trial
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Over a dozen witnesses, including Combs' ex-girlfriend and singer
Capricorn Clark, another of Combs' former employees, was called to the stand to testify for the prosecution on Tuesday.
Clark, the former director of marketing for Combs, told the courtroom that she worked for the music executive for over a decade, from 2004 to 2012.
Clark's name was mentioned in the courtroom during rapper Kid Cudi's testimony on Thursday.
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Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, testified that Clark called him in December 2011 to warn him that Combs and another associate were at his home in
The rapper told jurors that he met Ventura after she was allegedly involved in a domestic violence incident with Combs.
Cudi and Ventura went to the Sunset Marquis hotel, and while there, the rapper told jurors that he received a call from Clark, who he said sounded "very scared."
Clark said Combs and one of his associates had "forced' her to come with them to break into the home, Mescudi testified.
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Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges as
He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex.
The federal trial is expected to last eight weeks.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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Sean Combs' former assistant on the stand
The first government witness to be called to the stand on Tuesday was Capricorn Clark.
Clark told jurors she worked for Combs from 2004 to 2012.
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Diddy trial back in session
Sean Combs' federal sex trafficking trial has resumed following a four-day break.
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RTÉ News
26 minutes ago
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail following conviction on prostitution offences
Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of prostitution-related offences but cleared of more serious charges, in a blow to prosecutors who had urged a jury to find him guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Combs was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking, a partial win for the man known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. After the jury read its verdict, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian to release Combs on bail, which prosecutors opposed. Judge Subramanian had asked lawyers for both sides to submit written arguments on whether he should release Combs, but he later denied bail. The verdict followed a criminal trial in which two of the music mogul's former girlfriends testified that he physically and sexually abused them. Combs faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Judge Subramanian will determine Combs' sentence at a later date. The acquittals on the sex trafficking counts mean he will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. He could have faced life in prison if he were convicted on sex trafficking or racketeering conspiracy. After the judge dismissed the jury and lawyers for both sides, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery. "I'm gonna be home soon," he said, smiling and clasping his hands. "I love you. Thank you, I love you." Combs' family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers. Prosecutors say Combs for two decades used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched. During raids of Combs' homes, authorities found drugs and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant that he would use in the performances, prosecutors said. Combs, 55, had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. His lawyers acknowledged that the Bad Boy Records founder, once famed for hosting lavish parties in places like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, was at times violent in his domestic relationships. But they said the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual. The seven-week trial in Manhattan federal court exposed the inner workings of Combs' business empire and gave the 12-member jury an intimate look into his volatile romantic relationships with the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym 'Jane'. Ms Ventura sued Combs in November 2023 for sex trafficking, the first of dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Combs, also known throughout his career as Puff Daddy and P. 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Both women testified that he threatened to withhold financial support and to leak sexually explicit images of them if they refused to comply. "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on 26 June. "He doesn't take no for an answer." Combs' defence lawyers argued that while Combs may have committed domestic violence in the context of volatile romantic partnerships, his conduct did not amount to sex trafficking. They argued that Ms Ventura and Jane were strong, independent women who voluntarily took part in the sexual performances because they wanted to please Combs. Both women testified they spent time with Combs and took part in sexual performances after he beat them. Defence lawyers argued that Ms Ventura and Jane were retrospectively accusing Combs of forcing their participation in the performances because they were jealous he was seeing other women. "If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn't all be here," Combs' defence lawyer said in his closing argument on 27 June. "He did not do the things he's charged with." Besides Ms Ventura and Jane, jurors also heard testimony from Combs' former personal assistants who said their jobs included setting up hotel rooms for "Freak Offs" and buying their boss drugs. An InterContinental security guard testified that Combs, in the presence of his chief of staff, paid him $100,000 to hand over what he thought was the only copy of the surveillance tape of his attack on Ms Ventura. And Scott Mescudi, the rapper known as Kid Cudi, told jurors Combs was likely involved in an arson on his car after Combs found out he was romantically involved with Ms Ventura. According to prosecutors, those were all acts Combs and his associates undertook in furtherance of a racketeering conspiracy whose aim was, in part, to facilitate his abuse and keep evidence of his wrongdoing under wraps. The defence argued Combs was a successful entrepreneur who used drugs recreationally, but kept his professional and personal lives separate.


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There are plenty of ways to experience some digital craic Sponsored by Ireland Betting Sites Belfast has always been a city with a strong sense of community. From the banter in the queue at the bakery to the weekly pints with friends in the local pub, there's a natural warmth and wit that defines how the city connects. While the way we socialise might be shifting with the times, that sense of connection hasn't gone anywhere — it's found new outlets. Today, staying social in Belfast often means mixing the traditional with the digital. From online groups to digital quizzes, local podcasts to virtual pub nights, the people of Belfast have found creative ways to stay connected in the modern world. Historical and educational experiences Belfast is home to many digital experiences that make for a fun activity with family and friends. One of the most popular attractions, Titanic Belfast, is a world-class museum built on the former Harland & Wolff shipyard, the site where the infamous ship was built. The museum allows visitors to explore the history of the Titanic through over nine interactive and interpretive digital galleries and exhibits, using sounds, visuals and technology to immerse visitors in the world of the RMS Titanic. For the kids, W5 is a standout destination. This interactive discovery centre at the SSE Arena has over 250 exhibits across eight zones, offering a hands-on learning experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It also offers daily science shows designed to educate and entertain. Source: Getty Images Gaming and community activities With a fast-growing community of gaming enthusiasts, Belfast has embraced a new range of gaming spaces. Active Reality Belfast offers free-roam multiplayer virtual reality experiences. From epic space battles to solving mind-bending puzzles, it's designed for team events to casual outings for family and friends. Just a short drive from Belfast, Belong Gaming Arenas in Ballymena also offers high-end setups with the latest gaming tech, from PlayStation 5 to Xbox Series X, in a safe, social space ideal for younger players and families alike. For those less into gaming but still looking for interactive group experiences, The Armoury and Prison Island offer fun challenges that mix puzzles, escape-room elements and digital design to create fun group nights out or team-building events. Online platforms like Meetup also offer a way to stay social, helping locals find others with shared interests, whether it's tech or board games, all organised through the digital platform but experienced in real life. For those who prefer online fun, many also explore betting sites that bring a different kind of excitement through sports and gaming options at home. Some focus on local football leagues or UK horse racing, making them popular with sports fans across Belfast. Entertainment in a digital world For younger people in particular, socialising often happens through screens but that doesn't mean it's any less real. Online gaming, streaming, and content creation have opened up entirely new ways to stay connected. Platforms like Discord, Twitch, and YouTube are filled with Belfast voices, from gamers to musicians to artists and vloggers, all using digital tools to build online communities. While some parents may scratch their heads at it, to a new generation, these platforms are just as socially rich as a night at Lavery's or a pint after five-a-side. Whether chatting while playing Fortnite, reacting to new TikTok's, or sending memes, it's all part of how people connect today. For many popular activities like quiz nights, places have adapted to the times by incorporating technology to enhance these fun experiences. Places such as the Haymarket also host Virtual Quiz Night events, while Digital Pub Safari combines the city streets and local pubs to create a unique team-building activity on the award-winning app (which serves as the guide). Fitness with a virtual spin Health and wellness have become a more trending topic, and many gyms and fitness influencers such as Caroline Girvan and Sean Casey, have created platforms that have cultivated online communities that extend beyond the gym floor. Spaces like Better Gym Belfast offer technically advanced gym equipment, from a free weights area to heart rate monitoring in spin classes, including features like the Mywellness app — where users can track workouts, watch equipment demos and access virtual Les Mills classes from home. Staying connected In a world of screen time and streaming, Belfast's social life has adapted without losing its soul. Whether it's chatting with mates on Discord, bonding over 'girl dinner' recipes on Instagram or trying your luck on betting sites, the essence is the same — staying close and staying connected in the digital age.


RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
The Sean 'Diddy' Combs story - From recording studio to criminal trial
1993 1996 Under the name 'Puff Daddy', Combs releases his first solo album, titled "No Way Out," which later wins a Grammy Award for best rap album. 1999 Combs pleads guilty in New York state court to harassment for attacking another rapper's manager and is sentenced to one day of anger management class. Several months later, Combs is charged with weapons offences over a shooting at a club in New York's Times Square but is acquitted at trial. 2001 A Detroit radio host sues Combs for assault, claiming the rap mogul's associates roughed him up and destroyed an interview tape. Combs denies wrongdoing and is ultimately cleared by a jury. 2003 A former business partner sues Combs for allegedly threatening him with a baseball bat. Combs denies the allegations, and the case is dismissed after an appeals court finds the statute of limitations had expired. 2008 Combs privately settles a lawsuit by a man who claimed the mogul punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub. 2015 Combs is arrested for aggravated assault after an argument with his son's football coach in Los Angeles. The charges are later dropped. 2017 Combs' former personal chef sues the mogul for sexual harassment and retaliation. The case is settled for an undisclosed amount two years later 16 November 2023 Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura sues Combs in New York federal court for rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse. They settle the case for $20 million a day later. 17 May 2024 CNN releases footage purporting to show Combs violently assaulting Ventura at a hotel in Los Angeles on 5 March 2016. 19 May 2024 Combs posts an apology video for the Ventura incident, saying he is "truly sorry" for his "inexcusable" actions. 14 October 2024 Combs is accused of assault in six new civil lawsuits filed by an attorney who said he was representing 120 people who accused Combs of abuse. 16 September 2024 Combs is arrested in New York and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution. He pleads not guilty the following day, and a judge denies him bail. 4 April 2025 Federal prosecutors in Manhattan file an expanded indictment charging Combs with five criminal counts. Combs pleads not guilty two weeks later. 5 May 2025 Combs' trial begins with jury selection before US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court. 24 June 2025 Prosecutors rest their case after six weeks of testimony. The defence calls no witnesses of its own, but shows jurors text messages between Combs and Ventura. 2 July 2025 Combs found guilty of prostitution-related offenses, acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.