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Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
P Diddy trial replay: Jury sees Combs' messages about baby oil, Cialis, cash
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Attorneys for Sean "Diddy" Combs are gearing up to take the lead in his criminal trial as prosecutors wind down their case against the embattled hip-hop mogul. Combs returned to Manhattan court on June 23 for the latest proceedings in his sweeping federal sex-crimes case. Homeland Security agent Joseph Cerciello continued his testimony from last week, with the jury seeing an extensive paper trail of hotel bills, flight details and other purchases. Most of the costs were for male escorts and Combs' ex-girlfriend, identified under the pseudonym Jane. Prosecutors also showed Combs' messages about baby oil, cash, erectile dysfunction medication and more, as alleged "freak off" sex parties have played a central role in the trial. The jury also saw extended, explicit videos of Jane with an escort, with Combs appearing in some of the footage. Jurors last heard from Combs' former assistant Brendan Paul, who took the stand June 20. The 26-year-old alleged "drug mule" testified about his 2024 arrest as well as his demanding job, which consisted of working long hours and procuring ketamine and ecstasy for Combs' "personal use." He also denied witnessing criminal activity at the mogul's "king nights," another name for "freak offs." Combs, 55, was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. At the end of the June 23 hearing, Combs' defense lawyer Teny Geragos told Judge Arun Subramanian that the rapper's legal team had an hour and 15 minutes left of questioning for cross-examination. Regarding jury deliberations, a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, in which prosecutors and Combs' attorneys will talk about jury instructions with Subramanian. Jurors won't be present for the discussion. Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday, June 26 and stretch into the following day. Geragos said both prosecutors and defense lawyers estimate their arguments will last four hours each. Geragos introduced text messages between Combs and Jane in which the anonymous witness was enthusiastic about some sexual acts between the couple. The move comes as Combs' lawyers have argued that many of the rapper's partners were willing participants in his alleged sexual performances. "I really had a great night," Jane said in one message. Geragos also played sealed videos for Cerciello and the jury, but there was no audio or visuals for the courtroom. The defense lawyer is set to finish cross-examination on June 24. As prosecution wrapped up their direct examination of Cerciello, jurors saw and heard messages from Combs demanding supplies for an alleged "freak off." "There's no more baby oil," Combs said in one audio message to his chief of staff Kristina "KK" Khorram, chuckling. "I can't believe I'm out of baby oil." He thought he had 20 bottles at the time. In a separate message to Khorram, Combs said he needed "five more bottles of everything." Later, his team responded that they were bringing him baby oil, lubricant from the brand Astroglide, his Apple TV and multiple lattes. Combs continued to send audio messages, one asking for vegetable soup and another in which he said, "Can security bring me some money? I need $5,000." In another message he asked for "a Cialis, please," joking "See? I'm going to keep on calling you to make sure you have everything I need." Cialis is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. Prosecutors continued to paint a picture of Combs and his employees being personally involved with organizing "freak offs," working with escorts, Combs' partners and others. That included making travel arrangements for Jane and male escorts and entertainers. "I'm so horny I need you," Jane Doe said in one text to Sly Williams. But during their communication, Combs was messaging a travel aide named Jessica Ruiz about getting Williams across the country, making the plans and arranging logistics between the sex worker and Jane. In another text thread, Jane messaged Khorram "Hey hun, I think I'm having a bad comedown. Want to make sure that Sean's OK." Combs' former chief of staff said the rapper was fine and suggested medications Jane could take that day. Jurors also saw communications between Combs and a person named Frank Rodriguez about drugs, including MDMA. Jurors saw additional receipts from the payment platform Cash App for escorts and charges at hotels for damages. They also heard an audio message from Combs to Jane in which he asked: "Debauchery at 9 o'clock? It's a yes or no answer. Thumbs up or thumbs down." Jane texted back, "It's a thumbs up," before appearing to ask him for money for new clothes. Combs sent another audio message saying, "I'll put some money in your account." As the morning drew to a close, prosecutors were expected to continue direct questioning for another hour or two. Combs' lawyers are expected to continue their cross-examination into the morning on June 24. The government then plans to rest their case midday June 24, handing it over to the defense team to make their argument. As Cerciello continued his testimony on June 23, the jury was shown several videos of Combs' ex-girlfriend Jane. Lead prosecutor Maurene Comey called the videos "explicit" several times. The jury watched the footage for about 20 minutes while wearing headphones. The monitors that had been shown to the courtroom gallery were turned off, and reporters couldn't see the videos. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Cerciello said all the videos featured Jane and sex worker Sly Williams. Combs was also seen in some of the footage. The agent mainly looked up and around the courtroom gallery rather than at his screen while the videos played. Prosecutors quizzed Cerciello on hotel bills, flight details and car service receipts, as well as airport concierge, valet and travel agent fees. The expenses were all allegedly for Jane and a sex worker known as Cabral. In one text message Combs texted Khorram, "Can you get Jane here tomorrow?" In another exchange, Khorram told Combs that there was the emergency contraceptive known as Plan B in his room, and he replied, "Do you think the other girl really wants to come?" Khorram wrote back that the unidentified woman sounded excited. Digging further into the paper trail, jurors saw Venmo and Zelle payments from Jane to a woman named Bridget, who worked at a male escort company called Cowboys for Angels. The court also heard about text messages they had seen earlier in the trial in which Jane said she didn't want to be "used" to "fulfill" Combs' "fantasies." You may have seen major celebs like Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio named during Combs' trial. But the A-list actors aren't accused of anything − they've only been mentioned in the background of events Combs attended. For example, a former assistant identified as Mia alleged that she witnessed a 2012 discussion between Combs and Cassie Ventura Fine escalate at the premiere of a Pitt film during the Cannes Film Festival in France. She claimed she saw Combs grit his teeth while digging his nails into his then-girlfriend's arm, and he eventually insisted that Ventura Fine leave. Mia also referenced a high-stakes poker game between Combs and DiCaprio in texts she sent him around 2020. In one message, she wrote that Combs said, while cursing: "That 'Titanic' (guy) doesn't know (anything). He won $10,000, I won $650,000." Some have also questioned whether other celebrities, such as Will Smith, Eddie Murphy and Ashton Kutcher, will take the stand. There's no evidence they'll be called in the case. In 2024, Forbes magazine estimated Combs' net worth at $400 million – a significant drop from its 2019 figure of $740 million. Both Combs and his team later claimed he was a billionaire, Forbes said, despite offering no documentation to back up the claim. According to publicly available documents and news reports, Combs' most valuable personal possession is likely his 17,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom mansion, appraised at more than $61 million, in the tony Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. It was raided as part of a criminal probe and listed for sale last September. "You were not some drug mule, am I right?" Brian Steel, a defense lawyer for Combs, asked during cross-examination on June 20, to which Paul responded: "Absolutely not." Asked by Steel what he understood a drug mule to be, Paul said: "Someone who traffics kilos and kilos across the world." Paul's employment ended in March 2024, he testified. He was on a private jet with Khorram and Combs headed for the Bahamas, when he got arrested for cocaine possession. The cocaine was for Combs. On the stand, Paul said the cocaine found were just drugs he had forgotten in his bag when he went to the airport, clarifying that neither Khorram nor Combs had requested them that day. The total amount was 0.7 grams, he added, which Steel characterized as for "personal use as best." U.S. Attorney Christy Slavic asked Paul during his testimony why he didn't tell law enforcement that the cocaine belonged to Combs. He responded simply, saying, "Loyalty." Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more As Combs' personal assistant, Paul said his duties included making the music mogul's meal plans, coordinating workouts, packing "a lot of joints" and making sure he was on time for things like flights. Paul added during his June 20 testimony that he usually worked between 80 and 100 hours a week but was always on call. He started at $76,000 a year, but by the time his employment was over, he was making $100,000 a year, the man told jurors. Asked about procuring drugs for Combs, Paul said he did it more than five times but less than 10. He observed Combs doing cocaine, ketamine, marijuana and ecstasy, but not all that often, he said, and verified that he had arranged and cleaned up after "hotel nights" but only a few times. The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and, despite repeated attempts at bail, has remained confined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. During a September 2024 press conference, U.S. attorney Damian Williams detailed the paraphernalia discovered during the federal raids of Combs' homes. The items included multiple AR-15 guns, large-capacity magazines, "evidence" of Combs' alleged sex crimes and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. According to Combs' original indictment, the baby oil bottles were used during the hip-hop mogul's alleged "freak off" parties, which were described as "elaborate and produced sex performances" that involved sex workers. Combs and his employees conducted "freak offs" by booking hotel rooms and stocking them with supplies such as baby oil, lube, extra bedsheets and lighting, per the indictment. The rapper allegedly "arranged, directed" and "masturbated" during these sometimes dayslong "performances," and drugs were reportedly distributed to victims, in part, to keep them "obedient and compliant." Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: P Diddy trial replay: Latest on Jane, baby oil, "freak offs"
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Diddy defense not expected to call any witnesses in sex trafficking trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team is expected to present its evidence after the prosecution rests Tuesday in the rapper's federal trial for sex crimes. Closing arguments for the trial, which began May 5 with jury selection, are expected to begin Thursday after Diddy's lawyers explained they would only need two days to defend their client. In court Monday, Diddy's lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, indicated the defense did not plan to call any witnesses, but that evidence submitted would be discussed in the courtroom. Diddy's legal team, headed by Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, initially indicated they would need upwards of two weeks to plead their case, but told Judge Arun Subramanian last week that they may be able to rest by Tuesday or Wednesday. The "Last Night" rapper is also not expected to testify, and the judge will likely ask Diddy to confirm his decision not to take the stand. Federal prosecutors on Monday showed jurors approximately 20 minutes of footage from "freak offs." Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey described the videos — which were only reviewed by the jury due to their graphic nature — as "explicit." Homeland Security Special Agent Joseph Cerciello continued his testimony Monday as the government's 34th and final witness. Prior to Cerciello taking the stand, jurors heard from Diddy's former assistant and alleged "drug mule," Brendan Paul. Paul became embroiled in Diddy's legal drama in April 2024, after he was named in a lawsuit filed by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones against the disgraced mogul. The music producer claimed Paul worked as a "mule" for Combs, procuring and distributing "drugs and guns." The former college basketball star was then charged with felony cocaine possession, which was later dropped. Paul was given immunity in exchange for his testimony in Diddy's federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial. Throughout weeks of testimony, jurors heard allegations of "freak off" parties involving male escorts and Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The "Me & U" singer testified that drugs, including ecstasy, ketamine and cocaine, were in regular circulation during the "freak offs" for her to disassociate during the sessions. Another ex, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane," told prosecutors there were times she felt coerced into hotel nights with Diddy and that the Bad Boy Records founder still pays for both her legal fees and rent. Jane recalled alleged instances of abuse while dating Diddy on and off for three years and up until the week before he was arrested in New York City on federal charges. Jane told the court Diddy asked her about coercion after he allegedly forced her to take drugs before having sex with a male escort. She testified about Diddy's alleged violent behavior and said he once put her in a chokehold after kicking and punching her. Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17.
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Missing witnesses and lingering questions plague prosecution as Diddy trial nears conclusion: expert
The government is expected to wrap up its case against Sean "Diddy" Combs on Monday after more than six weeks of testimony from a number of witnesses. Jury selection for the rapper's sex crimes trial began on May 5, and the prosecution called its last witness to the stand Friday after hearing Diddy's former assistant, alleged "drug mule" Brendan Paul, testify about his time employed by the Bad Boy Records founder. Diddy's legal team, headed by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, initially indicated they would need upwards of two weeks to plead their case, but told Judge Arun Subramanian last week that they may be able to rest by Tuesday or Wednesday. Despite the trial coming to a close, former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani admitted that lingering questions remain with the case, including questions about missing key witnesses. "What happened to Gina, who was Victim 3 in the indictment? The government said they were unable to get a hold of her, and she did not testify," Rahmani said. "Was she afraid, embarrassed, paid off by Combs, or was there another reason why she didn't comply with the subpoena? Regardless, it was a mistake by the prosecution to list her as a victim when they did not have assurances that she would appear. They should have known Combs has the resources to threaten or pay witnesses not to testify and have planned accordingly." There have been no allegations in court that Diddy threatened or paid witnesses not to testify. Rahmani also wondered why Diddy's chief of staff, Kristina "KK" Khorram, wasn't called to testify. Brendan Paul testified Friday that KK "basically ran the enterprise." During the testimony of summary witness Anaya Sankar, the jury was shown text messages between Diddy's ex Cassie Ventura and KK dated May 2, 2017. Cassie was telling KK that the "Last Night" singer allegedly had locked the door and dragged her by her hair. "What happened to Gina, who was Victim 3 in the indictment? The government said they were unable to get a hold of her, and she did not testify." More text messages between Cassie and KK dated April 20, 2018, showed Cassie saying she can't take the violence and being kicked out of her own home. KK responded, "I don't know what else to say, but I'm here…" Cassie then wrote, "I just want to stay focused." The jury was then shown text messages between KK and Diddy's more recent ex-girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym Jane. She alleged that Diddy had forced her to have sex with male escorts during "hotel nights" and that occasionally the sex session was recorded. A text message sent to KK from Jane was shown to the jury, which claimed Combs was threatening to release the alleged sex tapes. Jane wrote, "You're his righthand woman…maybe he'll listen to you…" The message was sent on Feb. 18, 2024. "Many consider her to be Combs' Ghislaine Maxwell because she knows where the proverbial bodies are buried," Rahmani told Fox News Digital. "Khorram was actually involved in the alleged sex and drug trafficking and could have been charged as a co-conspirator. The government should have leaned on her to flip against her former boss. Instead, they gave her a pass by simply reading her text messages into evidence." Rahmani questioned why Diddy's ex-girlfriends, including Cassie, Mia and Jane, didn't leave if they had been sexually assaulted and trafficked. "The government put on expert Dawn Hughes to explain the psychology of abuse, but that is the biggest question in the case," Rahmani admitted. "Did the victims stay because they wanted the money and fame that came with being Combs' partner? If so, did they consent to the 'freak offs' while they were happening?" "Was this rape, or really regret and resentment? I'm not sure prosecutors have fully answered this question and this is the same argument the defense raised with some success in the Harvey Weinstein retrial." What the jury will decide remains the biggest question in the case. Attorney Nicole Blank Becker, who represents R. Kelly, told Fox News Digital that jurors, just like anyone else, have a difficult time separating emotions from charges. "When you hear about the horrible actions of P. Diddy, not only here, but then you see the actions on a video, and at some point, the jury will be told, 'OK,' perhaps that it was a domestic violence, but that's not really what this is about. It's about something bigger," Becker said. "The idea that the jurors will be able to separate that in their mind is highly unlikely, even though they will be told to. And there's a lot of demonstrative evidence in this case, is my understanding. WATCH: SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS ASSAULTS CASSIE VENTURA IN 2016 LOS ANGELES HOTEL INCIDENT "My experience when I was in the case with R. Kelly, those types of things are often used not only to show what the government's trying to bring, show in their case, but it definitely brings an emotional side to a human, and sometimes that emotional part – It's very difficult to overlook when you're back there as a juror." "The idea that the jurors will be able to separate that in their mind is highly unlikely, even though they will be told to." She added, "I can only imagine the difficulty that there must be when you were back in a jury room to sort of separate if you think he's a good person or a bad person, because that's not what they're there for, right? Therefore, they're back there to basically check off boxes. If the government has done this, check it off. If the government has done that, check it off. Better bet that they're also back there talking about, 'Oh my god, can you believe what he did in this video?'" Becker noted that testimony and evidence may get misconstrued, and that the jury has to separate emotions from fact. "Some of it, I think it gets minced," Becker said. "It becomes … extremely difficult actually to say to yourself, 'OK self, I'm not supposed to let myself be emotionally involved in this. I'm supposed to just listen to the law, and then put the facts in where the law is appropriate.'" "I know in [R. Kelly's] case, I can only imagine how difficult that must have been. And I think that that's going to also be another difficult part of the Diddy case as well."
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy's Ex-Assistant Brendan Paul Says 'Jane' Didn't Seem Hesitant to 'Freak Off'
Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-assistant Brendan Paul says he didn't see any force or coercion from his former boss when it came to "freak-offs" with "Jane" ... and he says he was absolutely not a drug mule. Brendan, a former Syracuse University basketball player and aspiring music producer, took the stand Friday in Diddy's criminal trial in NYC and told jurors about his 18 months working as an assistant to the music mogul. During cross-examination from Diddy's defense attorney Brian Steel, Brendan testified he would often talk to Diddy's former girlfriend "Jane" before and after freak-offs ... and he said she did not come across as hesitant or apprehensive, and he says there was nothing from her indicating she was not a willing participant. The feds say Diddy was forcing and coercing Jane -- who testified under a pseudonym to protect her identity -- and Cassie into participating in freak-offs -- drug- and alcohol-fueled sex marathons with male sex workers -- but Diddy's defense says the encounters were consensual ... and Paul, who was called as a witness by prosecutors, appears to be backing that up. He said he wouldn't work for someone he thought was a criminal. It's worth noting ... on redirect, prosecutors asked Paul if he was in the room for the freak-offs -- and he said "No." Brendan also testified about being arrested with cocaine in his bag in March 2024 at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport when he was trying to board a plane with Diddy ... in the wake of federal raids on Diddy's homes in Los Angeles and Star Island, Miami. Paul told jurors the cocaine was Diddy's, but he forgot it was in his bag and said he didn't tell police the drugs were Diddy's because he wanted to be loyal to his boss. He says he came across the cocaine while "sweeping" Diddy's room and stuffed it in his bag. While Paul also testified about buying all kinds of drugs for Diddy's personal use and rolling up joints in Diddy's garage ... he says he was not a drug mule, as has been alleged in lawsuits against Diddy, and getting drugs for Diddy was only a minor part of his job duties. Diddy wore a gray sweater and black pants as he watched and listened to Paul's testimony ... and Paul told the juror he hadn't seen or spoken to Diddy since the drug bust, and characterized their relationship as "complicated." Brendan's attorney, Brian Bieber, told TMZ after his client got off the stand, "Brendan's testimony was crystal clear – he never was a 'drug mule' for Diddy or anyone else. He was subpoenaed to come to court and tell the truth, which he did - word for word."
Fox News
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Diddy prosecution nears close without A-list witnesses in strategic move to focus on charges: celebrity lawyer
Print Close By Lauryn Overhultz, Janelle Ash Published June 22, 2025 Multiple high-profile celebrities were brought up during witness testimony for the prosecution in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial as the government's case comes to a close. While no celebrities were mentioned during the sixth week of trial testimony in the rapper's sex trafficking and racketeering case, the first five weeks included a handful of A-list stars. Diddy's trial began May 12 with opening statements. Throughout the past week of testimony, the jury heard from special agents along with Combs' alleged "drug mule," Brendan Paul. DIDDY'S DEFENSE TEAM SIGNALS SHIFT IN TRIAL STRATEGY AS PROSECUTORS WRAP UP: EXPERT R. Kelly's lawyer, Nicole Blank Becker, told Fox News Digital that she's not surprised there haven't been more big named celebrities called to testify by the prosecution. "I don't anticipate that any of those celebrities will be testifying or used as character references in this particular case. Why? Because this is really a case about whether or not he, P. Diddy, at the top of this so-called organization, is the one who is affecting the entire organization and he's ruling with an iron fist. "So, under those circumstances, given all the witnesses that the government has put up, there's really no need to bring those people in," she said. With Diddy being accused of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Becker said the defense will need to separate those who have testified from the rapper. "Yes, it's possible [other celebrities] were there when some things were happening. However, at this point, whatever evidence that has already come in, that evidence and those witnesses need to be taken as far away from each other to individualize their relationships, i.e. boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, instead of showing that it's some type of enterprise in which he was the puppeteer," Baker said. Here's a look at some of the celebrities mentioned in court as the prosecution prepares to wrap up their case. Barack Obama Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant, David James, testified that the rapper typically carried "25 to 30" undisclosed pill bottles. According to James, some of the pills were ecstasy. "Can you describe the ecstasy that you saw him taking?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik asked. "There were various pills, but there was one that was in the shape of a former president's face," James explained. "Which former president?" the prosecutor questioned. "President Obama," James answered. Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger Diddy's ex-assistant Mia , who testified under a pseudonym, mentioned both Leonardo DiCaprio and Mick Jagger in a text to her former boss that was read in court. During her cross-examination, the disgraced music mogul's defense zeroed in on text messages Mia had sent after she had experienced alleged physical and sexual abuse by Combs. The former assistant admitted the text messages she had sent to Diddy after being terminated from her job were all positive. "Love you, too. And the only things to remember are the good times, and those are the only memories I have!! Ha ha ha, like f------ hysterical ones! I'll send you everything I've got! I remember even before you had videographers with us, I carried around the little iVid thing. I found those, too. Completely forgot about them. "So many magical hilarious things, like drinking 1942 on the Parrot Cay Beach and champagne under the Eiffel Tower at 4:00 a.m. in the dark; and singing with Jimmy at Interscope; and Mick Jagger trying to take me home, but I ran away; and Ibiza caves, where I got a seven-inch scar; and Hawaii 5.0, when you punched that d--- f--- for talking s--- to me; and launching Revolt; and that random underground Baccarat game where Jlolo wouldn't pay out and I stayed only, and you won 650 grand, and that little prick ran away from me, and Leo [DiCaprio] grabbed my pink bedazzled BlackBerry, and you said that Titanic mother f----- doesn't know s---. He won 10K, I won 650K. Ha ha ha. Gosh, there are trillions of stories that are amazing." Cassie Ventura, Kid Cudi Cassie Ventura and Kid Cudi both took the stand early on in Diddy's trial. Cassie, who dated the rapper from 2007 until 2018, testified about the alleged abuse she experienced. Most of her testimony focused on the "freak offs" she claimed she had been forced to participate in. The alleged events would go on for multiple days and require the singer-songwriter to have sex with other men in front of Diddy. Kid Cudi took the stand and told the jury he believed Diddy had been involved in a home break-in and a car fire that left his Porsche damaged beyond repair. According to Kid Cudi, the alleged incidents occurred in 2011 after Diddy found out about his relationship with Cassie. At the time, Cassie and Diddy had apparently been on a break. CASSIE VENTURA EMERGES AS 'STAR WITNESS' IN DIDDY'S FEDERAL SEX CRIMES TRIAL: EXPERT Usher Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard testified that Usher was at a dinner where Sean "Diddy" Combs allegedly punched Cassie Ventura in the stomach. "We were having a private conversation, and we were all sitting, eating at the tables together," Richard recalled during her testimony. "When I say we, I mean some Bad Boy, some of our other label, and even some celebrities were in the room. And they were secretly arguing, and he punched her in the stomach. Sean Combs punched her in the stomach." "She immediately bent over and then was – he was – he told her to leave, because I could see him point out, and she went out and left the room," she added. Richard claimed that music executive Harve Pierre, two of Diddy's assistants, the rapper's security and Kaleena Harper had been present for the West Hollywood dinner. During cross-examination, it was revealed that Richard hadn't mentioned all of the celebrities at the dinner. "Usher was there, Jimmy Iovine was there, Ne-Yo came through," Richard eventually added. "There were a few others, too. I don't recall those people, but those are the ones I remember talking to." Madonna After Diddy's former assistant, who testified under the pseudonym Mia , was let go in March 2017, she was hired by pop star Madonna. The rapper's defense team had questioned Mia about whether she had worked in the "same industry" as before after being fired. When asked what the ex-assistant did for Madonna, Mia replied, "A myriad of things." "I was hired to help lead her film division," Diddy's former employee claimed on the stand. "She also needed help restructuring her internal executive team, then it morphed into multiple roles." DIDDY'S ALLEGED 'SEXUAL DEVIANT' BEHAVIOR DOESN'T PROVE GOVERNMENT'S CASE: EXPERT Beyoncé, Rihanna Rihanna and Beyoncé were mentioned during Bryana Bongolan's testimony . Cassie Ventura's friend claimed the two had been working on a clothing line with Diamond Supply Company. According to Bongolan, the two released a few collections during a two-year period. However, the clothing lines didn't work out, due to "internal" reasons at Diamond Supply Company. Cassie's friend agreed with Diddy's defense lawyer that the clothing lines had not succeeded because the two had been competing with Rihanna and Beyoncé. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey Diddy's former executive assistant, Capricorn Clark, mentioned both Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey during her testimony in the sex trafficking trial. Clark claimed she thought Cassie was talented but was more of a studio artist. "Why do you think she just had talent, as opposed to being very talented?" Diddy's lawyer asked the ex-assistant. "Um, talented to me is Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey," Clark said. "Very talented is that level of performer, entertainer. Cassie was more of a studio artist." Clark described a studio artist as "a little bit more comfortable in the vocal booth to have a little bit of things equalized for you and, you know, engineered properly. Less of a live performer." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Kobe, Michael Jordan, Shaq Diddy's ex-girlfriend mentioned three basketball superstars during her testimony. Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, told the jury she had sometimes used nicknames to refer to Diddy and a male escort named Paul during the trio's alleged "hotel nights." "Trifecta," was one nickname. Jane explained they had used it "because it's three." "I think Sean was the one who said 'Trifecta,'" Jane testified. "And then it became Trifecta." Jane also testified that they hd given each other nicknames relating to sports stars Kobe Bryant, Shaq and Michael Jordan. Jane was Bryant, Diddy was Jordan, and the male escort was often referred to as Shaq, according to her testimony. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Print Close URL
