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Kuwait Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs found guilty at criminal trial
Sean 'Diddy' Combs was found guilty on Wednesday after a criminal trial in which two of the music mogul's former girlfriends testified that he physically and sexually abused them. Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture, was charged with racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors say Combs for two decades used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as 'Freak Offs' with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. 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 for the cultural elite in luxurious locales 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. Sean "Diddy" Combs speaks during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference National Town Hall on September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. --AFP photos 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. Diddy and once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, settled with Ventura for $20 million. He has denied all wrongdoing. At the trial, jurors saw surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in the hallway of an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles, where she said she was trying to leave a 'Freak Off.' Jane later testified that Combs in June 2024 attacked her and directed her to perform oral sex on a male entertainer, even though she told him she did not want to. That alleged attack took place a month after Combs apologized on social media for his 2016 attack of Ventura, footage of which had been broadcast on CNN. According to prosecutors, physical violence was just one way Combs compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances - an act of coercion they say amounts to sex trafficking because the male escorts were paid. 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 June 26. 'He doesn't take no for an answer.' Justin Combs (center), son of Sean "Diddy" Combs, departs federal court in Manhattan during a break in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial. Combs' defense 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 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. Defense lawyers argued that 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' defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in his closing argument on June 27. 'He did not do the things he's charged with.' Racketeering conspiracy Besides 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 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 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 defense argued Combs was a successful entrepreneur who used drugs recreationally, but kept his professional and personal lives separate. Combs has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. —AFP
The Hill
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
I'm a Black mother and a physician with a message about Black kids' future
On a day shortly before the 2024 election, I was picking up my children from school. As my older child was finishing basketball practice, my younger child made his usual plea to buy his favorite Icee. 'Mama, can I have an Icee? Please!' he whined, tugging at my bag. Reluctantly, I handed him a few bills. 'Thanks for the Icee!' he said with his big toothy smile as he dashed to the sidewalk. Watching him run away, I felt anxious. He's still my baby, even though he's in third grade. From where I stood, he looked confident and strong. But those dollar bills were flapping around in his hand, reminding me to tell him to keep his money in his pocket. It wasn't just about the bills; it hit me hard that as the mother of Black boys, my worries for their future will never really vanish — especially with everything happening in our country today. Before I became a parent, I thought I'd raise my children with the same firmness that my West Indian teachers used at the small Episcopalian elementary school I attended in Brooklyn, N.Y. They were quick to discipline and had high expectations for us. I figured being strict would help prepare Black children for a world that rarely sees them as innocent — but that was before I became a mother, feeling the heavy responsibility of raising Black boys. The effects of racism aren't just for the history books. Black Americans carry the weight of discrimination and injustice from those before us, determined not to pass that trauma on to our children. No matter how hard I try, being their parent often feels like a tough balancing act. I feel caught between protecting them from the harsh realities of life in this country and giving them the opportunities to make mistakes and learn. As a mother, physician and health equity advocate, I have seen how our health care system affects Black children, who often face longer wait times in emergency rooms, higher chances of being diagnosed incorrectly and a greater risk of not surviving through their first year of life. These health outcomes are connected to wider issues, including education. For example, a report from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation found that Black boys face systemic bias in schools. Misunderstandings about their behavior in preschool can lead to harsh punishments, robbing them of their chance to learn and play. By middle school, harmful stereotypes can lead to them being excluded from gifted programs, hurting their confidence and interest in school. The Supreme Court's 2023 ruling on affirmative action in college admissions will likely limit opportunities for Black students in fields such as medicine and law. A recent study showed that cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs under the Trump administration have led to serious funding drops for important initiatives aimed at closing the gap in racial health outcomes. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities took the biggest hit, losing almost 30 percent of its funding. Weakening these health programs ultimately puts our lives at risk. As I sat there watching my younger son enjoy his Icee, I felt the weight of my responsibility — not just for my kids, but for all kids who will live in the world we create. That world can feel hostile, especially given the recent anti-DEI backlash. I am reminded daily that there is much work left to do. Our actions today matter for Black children's futures. Challenges in education and health care must be addressed. If we want to make a real difference for our children, we must be intentional about where to focus our advocacy. We must support race-conscious policies, prioritizing those that tackle the systemic inequities affecting education and health care. Americans can contact their local representatives and tell them that these programs are crucial for improving outcomes for Black children. We should encourage lawmakers to develop programs that provide Black students with fair access to advanced classes and academic support, while also pushing school boards to adopt equitable discipline policies. We must fight to fund health care systems that focus on the needs of underrepresented communities, directly addressing racial health inequities. We must be innovative about securing continued funding for the work of agencies like the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to keep critical health programs for Black children. We can illuminate the issues that Black children face by raising our voices. This is about the future of our children, who deserve a shot at success. It's time for us to focus on creating environments where all children, especially Black children, can thrive. We all share this responsibility — and need to act before it's too late. Uché Blackstock, M.D., is the founder and chief advisor of Advancing Health Equity, a strategic health equity consulting firm. She is the author of 'Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine' and an ambassador for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation National Racial Equity Initiative Taskforce.
New York Post
05-06-2025
- New York Post
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs, girlfriend used at least two dozen bottles of baby oil for single ‘freak-off,' influencer reveals at bombshell trial
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' and his girlfriend, 'Jane' regularly used 'two dozen or more' bottles of baby oil during 'freak-off' sex-sessions. Jane — who referred to 'freak-offs' as 'hotel nights' — said they had to cover 'everything' in the hotel rooms with bedsheets, blankets and towels 'for the excessive use of baby oil everywhere.' 3 Combs' and his girlfriend, 'Jane' regularly used 'two dozen or more' bottles of baby oil during 'freak-off' sex-sessions. Department of Justice Advertisement 3 Sean 'Diddy' Combs attends the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference National Town Hall on September 21, 2023, in Washington, DC. Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference 3 The jury saw pics of AR-15 rifle parts, bottles of baby oil and lube, 7-inch high heels and more, as an agent revealed details of a dramatic 2024 raid during the trial. Department of Justice She says they always used baby oil for 'hotel nights' and would go through 'two dozen or more' bottles of the lubricating product during a single sex session. 'He really enjoyed watching me pour oil all over myself, all over the man,' Jane said.
The Hill
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
New study offers legislative guidance on 7 key issues facing Black community
A new study offers lawmakers a roadmap for addressing key issues affecting Black communities, including voting rights, economic opportunity and education equity. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies released Forward Together: Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America on Monday. The playbook is designed to serve as a 'resource' for lawmakers, the organizations noted, and highlight that 'when Black people make progress, all Americans benefit.' 'Together, we are equipping lawmakers, advocates, and changemakers with the tools they need to enact policies that move us closer to equity and justice for all,' said Nicole Austin-Hillery, president and CEO of the CBCF. In total, the playbook offers policy recommendations on seven areas lawmakers 'can continue to advocate and fight for' to create 'an America where inequities are overcome and where everyone has an equal opportunity to pursue and achieve success and dignity.' The areas include: voting rights and civic engagement; economic opportunity and advancement; workforce; education; health care; criminal legal system reform; and technology and telecommunications policies. 'African Americans continue to face a myriad of systemic issues in the United States that are strategically outlined in this much-needed policy playbook,' said Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, president of the Joint Center. Each section offers an in-depth explanation of how current policies exacerbate racial disparities and offers action legislators can take to correct the disparities. For example, under Voting Rights and Civic Engagement, the study calls for addressing voter ID laws, which disproportionately affect Black Americans and restrict their right to vote. The study recommends expanding acceptable forms of ID for voting to include student IDs, employee IDs, and utility bills. It also recommends making voter rolls publicly accessible so voters can easily verify their registration status online and for the federal government to establish standards and guidelines for voter roll maintenance to ensure uniformity and fairness across states. The study also details the impact of the racial wealth gap and urges lawmakers to address some of the gap's driving factors, such as home ownership barriers. The study recommends legislators increase access to fair and affordable housing through investments in public housing, rental assistance and housing development and repair. The study also calls for lawmakers to oppose the privatisation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and ensure that companies using AI comply with existing civil rights and consumer protection laws in order to maintain fair lending. The study emphasized that though the seven areas listed do not offer full coverage of every issue that is important for Black equality, they do represent key areas for Black advancement. 'This is a pivotal moment for Black Americans,' said Jonathan Cox, PhD, vice president of the Center for Policy Analysis and Research at CBCF. 'History has shown us that progress is often met with resistance. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that Black communities have the resources, rights, and opportunities to thrive.' The organizations note that they do not expect all of their policy recommendations to pass, particularly under the current White House administration. The CBCF and the Joint Center said the Trump-Vance White House is rolling back steps taken by the Biden-Harris administration to address some of the nation's longstanding racial disparities. 'Specifically, the harmful impacts of various efforts by President Trump and his new administration — through executive orders and other administrative actions in large part through the new White House Department of Government Efficiency — is undoing much of the Biden-Harris administration's progressive efforts,' the study reads. 'The Trump-Vance administration is undermining and challenging civil rights, too, cutting not just diversity, equity, and inclusion programs out of the federal government but also historic civil rights protections stretching back to the 1960s.' However, the study added, Black communities have faced the 'reversal' of progress before. The policy recommendations listed in the study, the CBCF and the Joint Center said, furthers the promise of advancing the social, political and economic status of Black Americans.
Extra.ie
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Who is Cassie Ventura? Star witness at trial of P Diddy to take stand
The second day of the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs will see his ex-girlfriend and star witness Cassie Ventura take to the stand. The music mogul was indicted last March on several charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, with his case before the courts in New York — as Cassie, who was in a relationship with him for over a decade, and who brought the allegations to light, set to be the prosecution's star witness. Cassie Ventura will take the stand at the 'Diddy Trial' on Tuesday. Pic:Casandra Ventura was born in New London, Connecticut, and began her musical career after meeting with producer Ryan Leslie, who signed her. Her career really took off when she signed with Combs' Bad Boy Records, with her debut album peaking at number 4 on the Billboard 200. She also had several high charting singles, including Long Way 2 Go, Must Be Love with Combs, and Let's Get Crazy. However, her relationship with Combs was what drew headlines — particularly in later years when she accused Combs of heinous crimes surrounding her, including physical, mental and emotional abuse. Diddy and Cassie were in an on-off relationship from 2007 to 2018, where, she alleged, he subjected her to a 'cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking.' Pic:for The Hollywood Reporter **THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS DETAILS OF ALLEGED DOMESTIC ABUSE AND PHYSICAL ABUSE, WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTURBING** From 2007 to 2018, Cassie and Combs were in an on-off relationship that, the singer later said in 2023, was marred by a 'cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking,' which included her allegedly being used 'as a toy' in the rapper's now infamous 'freak offs' that he would host during his parties. She alleged that he pursued her from 2005, when she was 19 and he 37. In 2023, she filed a lawsuit against Combs under the Adult Survivors Act — which allowed for civil lawsuits to be filed by victims of sexual assault after the statute of limitations expired — with the case being immediately settled out of court one day later. Some of the allegations in Cassie's lawsuit detailed alongside her being allegedly raped and assaulted in the 'freak offs' also included his alleged involvement in the explosion of rapper Kid Cudi's car, with whom Cassie was also in a relationship. The rapper and music mogul is currently on trial, charged with racketeering and sexual trafficking. Pic:for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Two months after his homes in New York and Miami were raided, and before he was arrested and indicted on racketeering charges, CNN shared CCTV footage of an altercation between Combs and Cassie, which showed the rapper chasing after her in a hotel room before throwing her to the ground and repeatedly kicking her. Combs admitted full responsibility for the 2016 incident, but following his arrest in September 2024, Cassie has since taken to the stand as the star witness for the prosecution. Some of the alleged incidents included her being coerced into participating in the 'freak offs,' which would include her having sex with male escorts while Combs watched and 'directed' them, as well as being physically abusive toward her. When asked about the alleged physical abuse, Cassie said that Combs would 'bash on my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me,' and said that the alleged abuse happened 'too frequently.' As for the 'freak offs,' Cassie said that she remembers 'her stomach falling to my butt,' when she was asked to first participate, adding 'just the nervousness and confusion… I'd just turned 22.' She added that she didn't want to participate in the 'freak offs' but did so because she 'loved [Combs] very much,' and 'wanted to make him happy.' She added that she was afraid of what he would do, also alleging that he would blackmail her into doing more things, and that the violence was in the back of her mind. The trial continues. Anyone who is affected by this story can contact Women's Aid on 1800 341 900.
