Diddy trial witness ‘The Punisher' reveals battle against ‘storm of negativity' after taking part in freak-offs

The Sun

6 hours ago

THE male escort "The Punisher" who participated in Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged "freak-offs" has opened up about the battle against a storm of negativity since testifying at the music mogul's trial.
The high-profile federal trial of Combs ended on Wednesday with the jury's stunning verdict that acquitted the Bad Boy Records executive, 55, of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
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Throughout seven grueling weeks, the prosecution laid out their expansive case that consisted of testimony from 34 witnesses, including law enforcement officials, former employees of Combs, as well as two former girlfriends.
Cassandra Ventura, the singer who goes by Cassie, disclosed to jurors how Combs allegedly proposed a "freak-off" to her months into the start of their relationship in 2007, when she was 22.
An emotional Ventura told the court that the alleged drug-fueled sex marathons with paid male escorts became a weekly occurrence, describing how her music career took a backseat while her participation in the "freak-offs" became "her job."
Ventura testified how she soon began organizing "freak-offs" at Combs' direction and "because it was what was expected of her."
She told the court she would at times hire the male escorts, book the hotel rooms, and ensure the rooms were set up with red lighting, towels, drugs, candles, and baby oil.
"I just felt pretty horrible about myself. I felt disgusting. I felt humiliated," Ventura said on the stand.
Sharay Hayes, a male escort who goes by the nickname " The Punisher," was among the dozens of escorts who participated in the sex marathons with Combs and Ventura.
Hayes described the "freak-offs" as choreographed encounters where Combs would always be hovering around him and Ventura.
"We started every interaction the same. It was a routine and there was a specific procedure to use baby oil," Hayes told The U.S. Sun days before the jury delivered its verdicts in the trial.
"Me putting baby oil on myself, or her doing it to herself.
"That was the visual type of desire for the moment. So, it was very consistent every single time, every situation I interacted and involved in."
'DAMAGE CONTROL'
Hayes was the ninth witness called to the stand by the prosecution and since his testimony on May 20, the former escort turned author has been trying to navigate the "storm of negativity" that emerged from Combs' federal trial.
"Honestly, my mindset now is all damage control," Hayes, who authored the men's self-help book In Search of FREEZER MEATS, said.
"When you're thrust into this type of trial, especially under the umbrella as a male escort, you get a storm of negativity, negative perceptions.
"Listen, I'm not trying to sidestep. It's a decision that I made in terms of a proposition, but doing these interviews and trying to at least control the narrative of who I am as a man, how I represent myself, what I'm trying to do to the best of my ability.
"If there's going to be an opinion, at least let it be formulated off of someone actually seeing me speak and tell my side and put it out to the public to at least form whatever opinion you're going.
"This stuff happened over a decade ago. So, the first thing from my mind is that it's going to be in a public forum.
"And just the idea of these intimate details about yourself being basically broadcasted to the world that everybody can just form an opinion, embellish on that opinion.
"Then you being judged on these very intimate moments. It's an unfortunate thing. I don't I don't wish it on anybody.
"It's a tough thing to have your name synonymous with those type of acts and that type of atmosphere for the rest of your days.
"So, I don't know what it's going to look like in the future, but I'm just trying my best to manage it."
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COMBS STILL IN JAIL
Combs and his family's post-verdict celebration was short-lived after the judge presiding over his case denied the music mogul bail.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs' lead defense attorney, proposed a sprawling $1 million bail package to Judge Arun Subramanian that would have allowed his client to be on house arrest at his Star Island estate in Miami while he awaited sentencing.
Agnifilo said Combs would have willingly surrendered his passport and restrict his travels to New York, New Jersey, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Throughout the trial and during closing arguments, Combs and his defense team admitted to his violence behavior towards his staff and former girlfriends.
However, the strategy ended up backfiring and in his ruling, Judge Subramanian used the defense's own admission against them in their effort to release Combs on bail.
"Even if the defendant was solely required to show that he is not a danger to the community, he could not meet that burden," the judge told Agnifilo.
"The defense conceded the defendant's violence. You full-throatedly in your closing arguments told the jury that there was violence here."
The judge underscored the disturbing 2016 surveillance footage from the Inter-Continental hotel of Combs' brutal assault on Ventura.
"There was the London Hotel incident. There was violence after the searches in this case," Judge Subramanian added, referring to the raids on Combs' properties in Beverly Hills and Miami.
"As to Jane, there was June 2024 after the searches of Combs' residences. This evidences a disregard for the law and a propensity for violence."
Agnifilo pushed back on the judge's ruling, arguing that his client has been a "model prisoner" since his arrest in September 2024.
"I just think we should trust him. He's not going to flee," the defense attorney said.
At one point, Agnifilo brazenly told Judge Subramanian that Combs wished to speak with him, but the offer seemingly went unnoticed as the judge reaffirmed his position.
Combs hung his head as he was escorted out of the courtroom by US Marshals, who transported him back to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
The defense conceded the defendant's violence. You full-throatedly in your closing arguments told the jury that there was violence here.
Judge Subramanian to Combs' lead defense attorney
Before he left the courtroom, Combs faced his family and told them, "We're gonna make it through this. I'll see you when I get out," according to CNN.
"I love you all. Be strong."
The judge tentatively set sentencing for October 3, but scheduled a July 8 hearing where he will rule on whether to push the date up per the defense's request.
Hayes, the former male escort, said that despite all the alleged sex marathons he participated in with Combs and Ventura, he holds no ill will towards the music executive.
"I'm trying to steer strongly away from judgment. Certain things are undeniable to domestic violence and stuff like that," Hayes told The U.S. Sun.
"But we do understand people have low moments, so I don't want to categorize a man in his 50s solely based on his low moments and a lot of misinformation that's being spread.
"I just would hope that whatever his issues are that are unfavorable, he's en route to strong correction and bettering himself.
"People deserve that, a way to try to improve. In this terrible storm of judgment and negativity, I just want to hope for the best for everybody involved."
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