Latest news with #EddyGarcia
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Diddy trial recap: Hotel security worker says Sean Combs paid 100K for assault video of Cassie
Sean 'Diddy' Combs paid $100,000 to obtain what he thought was the only copy of a 2016 video showing him beating his girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway, according to Eddy Garcia, a hotel security worker who testified on Day 15 of the hip-hop mogul's sex-trafficking trial. The government says that video supports its case that Ventura was forced by Combs to have sex with male escorts as part of 'freak-offs' held at various hotels. The defense has countered that Ventura was a consensual and willing participant in the sex parties. Combs has pleaded not guilty to five counts of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, and faces up to life in prison if convicted. A number of government witnesses are expected to testify Tuesday. Jane, an alias for another alleged sex-trafficking victim who used to be romantically involved with Combs, is expected to take the stand later this week.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy paid $100K to make the Cassie assault footage disappear, hotel security guard says
Before the gavel banged in the start of the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, a security tape showed much of the world footage of the music mogul assaulting then-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine in a hotel hallway. That footage, released publicly by CNN a year before the trial, has factored heavily into the closely watched court proceedings playing out in Manhattan – first with Combs' lawyers attempting to exclude it as evidence, then with potential jurors being asked if they had seen it, and now with a hotel security guard alleging he was paid $100,000 to destroy it. On Tuesday, June 3, a former security officer at the InterContinental hotel at the time of the 2016 assault took the stand. Eddy Garcia told jurors that shortly after the incident, he received a call from Combs' chief of staff Kristina "KK" Khorram, asking "if there was any possible way to get a copy of the video." What ensued, he said, was a cover-up facilitated by Combs' bodyguards, his hotel boss and a bag full of cash. WATCH: See the full Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Cassie hotel video At the time, Garcia told Khorram "she would have to reach out to hotel management or get a subpoena," but about an hour later, she showed up looking for him, allegedly telling him she and Combs wanted to know "what exactly they were dealing with." Garcia said he told her, "Off the record, it's bad." Later that day, Garcia said Khorram put him on the phone with Combs, who "sounded very nervous." Combs allegedly explained to Garcia that he "had a little too much to drink" and said "you know how it is with women," adding that the video, which shows the music mogul physcially assaulting Ventura Fine and dragging her down the hotel hallway, "could ruin him" if it got out. Diddy team admits to violence, but not sex trafficking. Will the jury see a difference? Diddy trial live updates: Who are Mia, Eddy Garcia, Kristina Khorram in sex-crimes case When Garcia said there was nothing he could do, Combs allegedly pressed further, saying he would "take care of" him. When Garcia went to his boss, Bill Medrano, and told him that Combs was offering to pay for the video, Medrano allegedly said that he would do it for $50,000. When Garcia called Combs and Khorram back to relay the news, the Bad Boy Records founder "sounded excited," Garcia said, telling him, "Eddy, my angel. I knew you could help." Garcia then told jurors that he was given an address by Combs where he could drop the USB that contained the footage of the assault. Medrano told him to tell the other security guards he was running an errand, Garcia said, describing the drop-off spot as "a big high-rise building," where he was met by one of Combs' bodyguards in the lobby. On the elevator ride up, Combs' bodyguard told Garcia he had known the rapper for a long time and that "he was a good guy and I was doing a good thing." "I was very nervous and my voice kept cracking," Garcia said, describing the moment he met with Combs and Khorram to drop off the tape, which he assured the music mogul was the only copy. During the meeting, when Garcia expressed concern over getting in trouble should Ventura Fine file a police report, Combs assured her she wanted the video gone too, going so far as to get her on the phone to corroborate it. Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, Prince: All the celebrities mentioned during the Diddy trial Garcia recalled Combs making him sign a non-disclosure agreement, which jurors then saw a copy of, certifying there were "no duplicates, backups, stored drives" containing the video. After Garcia signed the documents, Combs brought him $100,000 cash in a paper bag, and, after asking how he would spend the money, advised him not to "make any big purchases." The directive was made to protect the secrecy of the payoff, Garcia said, explaining he knew Combs was warning against big purchases "because it would draw attention." Garcia gave $50,000 to Medrano and kept $30,000 for himself, he said. The remaining $22,000 went to the other officer on duty that night. He bought a used vehicle in cash with the money, he told jurors, never depositing any of it in a bank account or reporting it on taxes. The heavy stacks of cash fit into a pattern emerging throughout the trial as prosecutors attempt to paint Combs as a man spoiled by success, able to hide a tendency for abuse and criminality through a large staff and an ever-larger fortune. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy hotel video: Guard was paid $100K for Cassie assault tape
Khaleej Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Sean 'Diddy' Combs paid hotel security officer to hand over video, jury hears
Sean "Diddy" Combs paid a hotel security officer to hand over surveillance footage that showed the hip-hop mogul violently attacking his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in a hallway, the officer testified at Combs' sex trafficking trial. Eddy Garcia, who had worked at an Intercontinental hotel, told jurors that Combs contacted him shortly after the incident and asked for the footage. Combs said he would "take care" of Garcia if he gave him the video, Garcia said. "He was concerned that this video would get out and that it would ruin his career," said Garcia, who was granted immunity from prosecution to testify. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say Combs over two decades coerced women, including Ventura, to take part in contraband-fuelled performances known as Freak Offs. The trial is in its fourth week. Jurors had previously been shown a March 2016 surveillance video from the hallway of the Intercontinental hotel in Los Angeles where Combs, wearing only a towel, threw Ventura to the ground, kicked her and dragged her away. Ventura said the incident occurred after Combs had given her a black eye during a Freak Off. Garcia said he relayed Combs' message about the video to his boss, who told him he would give Combs the video in exchange for $50,000 (Dh183,642). The next day, Garcia testified he saw his boss enter the room that hosted servers for the surveillance cameras. He said the boss gave him a USB drive, which he gave to Combs, who later returned with a brown bag and a money counter. Garcia said Combs ran cash from the bag through the counter, which displayed $100,000, returned the money to the bag, and handed the bag to him. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships, but argue that women who took part in Freak Offs did so consensually. Prosecutors say bribery is among the racketeering acts that Combs or his employees undertook in order to facilitate Freak Offs and prevent word of his abuse from getting out. Combs could face life in prison if convicted on all counts. Prosecutors have said they may finish presenting their case next week, allowing the defense to put on its case.
News24
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Hush money bombshell: Hotel worker testifies Diddy paid to bury Cassie assault video
Sean 'Diddy' Combs allegedly paid $100 000 for the 2016 video of him assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hallway. According to security worker Eddy Garcia, who testified during the disgraced hip-hop mogul's trial, Combs thought this was the only copy of the video. Combs has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution and faces life in prison if convicted. A hotel security worker said Sean 'Diddy' Combs paid $100 000 for the 2016 video of him assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hallway, according to The Washington Post. The publication reported that the video is being used by prosecutors to support their case that 'Ventura was forced by Combs to have sex with male escorts as part of 'freak-offs' held at various hotels'. However, the defence said that Ventura's participation was consensual but acknowledged Combs' domestic abuse. According to security worker Eddy Garcia, who testified during the disgraced hip-hop mogul's trial, Combs thought this was the only copy of the video. READ | 'You post the great times': Witness asked to defend Instagram posts in Sean Combs trial Combs had contacted Garcia shortly after the assault and told him he'd 'take care' of him, according to Reuters. 'He was concerned that this video would get out and that it would ruin his career,' Garcia said. Garcia told his boss about Combs' message, and his boss said he would give him the video for $50 000. When they gave him the footage on a flash drive, Combs returned with a bag containing $100 000. Combs has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution and faces life in prison if convicted. On Tuesday, a woman was escorted out of Combs' trial after entering the courtroom and yelling, 'Diddy, these motherfuckers laughing at you!' according to Variety Australia. As she was being escorted out, she told court marshals, 'Pull your gun out, ninja, I dare you.' Outside the courtroom, the woman cursed at journalists who were hoping to get a quote after the incident.
CNN
04-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
Ex-Hotel Guard: Cassie Said She Wanted Assault Video To 'Go Away' - Laura Coates Live - Podcast on CNN Audio
Ex-Hotel Guard: Cassie Said She Wanted Assault Video To 'Go Away' Laura Coates Live 46 mins Eddy Garcia, a former security officer at the InterContinental Hotel, gave evidence about his involvement in a 2016 video of Combs that shows him physically assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Garcia said he accepted $100,000 from Combs in exchange for video footage. Derek Ferguson, the former chief financial officer for Combs' record label, testified this afternoon about how he helped Combs manage his finances.
