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Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Diddy insider Mark Geragos admits 'the only thing' that surprised him about the verdict
Sean "Diddy" Combs was acquitted Wednesday of racketeering and sex trafficking charges following a two-month-long federal trial. Backed by a "dream team" group of defense lawyers, the rapper was facing life in prison if convicted of the three charges, but a jury handed down a guilty verdict on two of the lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. High-profile criminal defense lawyer Mark Geragos – a longtime Diddy acquaintance and father of lead attorney, Teny Geragos – closely followed the case, and told Fox News Digital that the jury "absolutely" made the right decision. More than 10 hours into deliberations, the 12-person jury told Judge Arun Subramanian Tuesday that "unpersuadable" opinions prevented them from reaching a unanimous verdict on the biggest charge. Multiple notes were passed to the court from the jurors, with Judge Subramanian ultimately advising continued deliberations until a verdict was reached. While it was unclear at the time what the verdict was, Geragos admitted to feeling somewhat uneasy. "When I heard they were hung on the RICO and had verdicts on the other four, at first I was not confident until I read the note," Geragos said. "Once I read that note, I figured at that point that they would … I thought that they would hang on because, you know, they use the term, unpersuadeable jurors on both sides. "That indicated to me that they had split the verdicts on the other four counts. The only thing that surprised me is how quickly they came back on the RICO with a not guilty." The following morning, roughly two hours into deliberations, jurors reached a verdict and found Diddy not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, with guilty verdicts on both counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The judge joked that he assumed Diddy did not want to return to MDC Brooklyn, to which the rapper shook his head very exaggeratedly and then looked up with his hands together as if praying. After the judge left, Diddy knelt down with his arms on the chair in front of him. He then got up, faced the gallery and started clapping. The courtroom opened up in applause and cheers for him. WATCH: Criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos weighs in on Diddy trial A hearing next week will determine a sentencing date where Diddy could face up to 20 years in prison. The government requested a term between 51-63 months, while Diddy's defense is seeking a 21-27 month term. Still, Geragos guessed both of those numbers were far off base. "Frankly, I think this case isn't worth anywhere close to either of those calculations. But even if he gets it, he's a prime candidate for some of the federal programs that are out there actually initiated by this administration and this administration's prior iteration," Geragos said. "So there are programs there that he could take advantage of, and I'm sure he will. I mean he's had enormous amount of time – I call it a time out – and he's used it productively. He's reading, he's thinking, he is talking. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but I think in retrospect, when he's out, it'll be very, very productive." It's unclear when Diddy will be sentenced and what term he faces following the court victory, which Geragos chalked up to the defense team setting the framework before testimony even began. "I've always said that cases like this are won or lost in jury selection, and so I think that the jury selection was instrumental," Geragos said. "And then look, I'm biased. I think that my daughter delivered the opening statement and, frankly, from where I sat, and I watched it, I don't think the prosecution ever recovered from that opening statement. There are a lot of studies that say jurors make up their minds 90% of the time after the close of the opening statement." Geragos added, "And by the way, I don't want to denigrate Mark Agnifalo. He did a tour de force on that closing that had him literally rolling in the aisles. So it was a pretty amazing book end." During opening statements of Diddy's trial, which began on May 5, Teny asked the jury to consider the federal charges, not the choices of an at-times violent man. "Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case," Teny told the court. "This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money. This case is about voluntary adult choices made by capable adults and consensual relationships. This case is about those real-life relationships, and the government is trying to turn those relationships into a racketeering case, a prostitution case and a sex trafficking case. It will not work." She noted that Diddy "has a bad temper" and at times gets "so angry or so jealous that he is out of control," but she emphasized that the "Victory" rapper was not charged with "being mean." "He is not charged with being a jerk. He's charged with running a racketeering enterprise," Teny said. "And though there was violence that you are going to hear about, you already have, that violence is not part of any RICO. That violence is not connected to sex trafficking and that violence is not prostitution."
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- The Guardian
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs found guilty on two of five counts in sex-trafficking case
A New York Jury has found Sean 'Diddy' Combs guilty of two counts and not guilty on three counts, following a closely watched seven-week federal trial marked by emotional and graphic testimony. The mixed verdict saw Combs being found not guilty of the biggest charge, racketeering conspiracy, not guilty of the sex trafficking of Casandra Ventura or the sex trafficking of 'Jane,' and guilty of both the transportation to engage in prostitution, related to Casandra Ventura, and the transportation to engage in prostitution related to 'Jane.' The verdict was delivered on Wednesday morning, after 13 hours across three days of deliberation by a jury composed of eight men and four women. On Tuesday evening, the jury announced that it had reached a verdict on four of the five counts – two counts of sex trafficking and two counts transportation to engage in prostitution – but said that they were unable to come to a decision on the racketeering conspiracy charge. On Wednesday, the jury returned with the verdict on that remaining count. Combs, 55, had pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex-trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has remained incarcerated without bail in a federal detention facility in Brooklyn since his September arrest. Prosecutors accused Combs of operating his business empire as a criminal enterprise, dating back to at least 2004, to carry out and conceal various crimes including sex-trafficking, kidnapping, arson, bribery, forced labor, drug distribution, enticement to engage in prostitution and obstruction of justice, with help from employees and close associates. The government alleged that Combs used his power and wealth, as well as violence and threats of blackmail, to coerce women into complying and participating in what were described as drug-induced sexual marathons often involving one of Combs's girlfriends and male escorts, referred to as 'freak-offs'. Throughout the trial, which began on 12 May, the defense acknowledged past instances of domestic violence, but denied that any coercion or sex trafficking took place and maintained that all sexual activity was consensual and part of a 'swingers lifestyle'. They claimed Combs was being wrongly prosecuted for his private sex life and also denied that any criminal conspiracy existed. Over seven weeks, the government called 34 witnesses, including two of Combs's former girlfriends, multiple former employees and assistants, male escorts, hotel staff, law enforcement agents and public figures such as rapper Kid Cudi and singer Dawn Richard and others. Combs did not testify. Central to the prosecution's case were the accounts from the two former girlfriends and alleged victims: singer Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and a woman identified as 'Jane'. Both delivered raw and emotional testimony, alleging that Combs coerced them into participating in the frequent and sometimes days-long 'freak-offs'. They both described the alleged 'freak-offs' in graphic detail, and testified that Combs directed, watched, masturbated during the encounters and sometimes filmed. Ventura testified that over the course of their decade-long relationship, Combs subjected her to physical abuse and blackmail. She also alleged that he raped her after their break up in 2018, and testified that Combs would at times threaten to release explicit footage of her, threaten to cut off financial support or stifle her career if she acted in ways he did not like. Jurors were shown the 2016 hotel surveillance footage of Combs attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway. They also heard from several witnesses who testified that they saw Combs be violent toward Ventura. Jane echoed many of Ventura's claims, and testified that she repeatedly told the music mogul that she no longer wanted to participate in the 'freak-offs'. She said that he was dismissive and would pressure her, and that she felt 'obligated' to participate as he paid her rent. She said Combs would threaten to stop paying when she voiced discomfort with the sexual encounters. During cross-examination, Combs's attorneys sought to portray both Ventura and Jane as willing and consenting participants in the 'freak-offs', pointing to explicit and affectionate text exchanges with Combs in which the women appeared to speak positively about the encounters. The defense also frequently asked about the role that jealousy and drug use played in their relationships. A third woman, a former assistant to Combs who testified under the pseudonym 'Mia', alleged that Combs physically and sexually assaulted her during her employment, and said that she felt 'trapped' and feared retaliation. Defense attorneys suggested that she fabricated the allegations, and cited social media posts and messages in which she praised Combs after the alleged assaults. A handful of witnesses testified under immunity deals, including several of Combs's personal assistants who claimed that they were tasked with obtaining drugs for Combs. Some former employees also testified that they would stock hotel rooms with baby oil and condoms and other items ahead of the 'freak-offs' and then clean up afterward and said that protecting Combs's public image was 'very important'. Throughout the trial, the defense sought to undermine the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses. They'd point to inconsistencies in witness testimony and suggested that financial motivation played a role among those who have filed civil suits against the music mogul. The government rested its case on 24 June. The defense followed suit later that day, opting to call no witnesses, instead submitting more evidence to the court and relying on its extensive cross-examinations. Closing arguments were delivered Thursday and Friday. Prosecutors recapped their case against Combs, revisiting key testimony and breaking down each charge against the music mogul, painting him as a 'leader of a criminal enterprise' who refused to take 'no for an answer' and who used 'power, violence and fear to get what he wanted'. They argued that Combs was powerful but that he 'became more powerful and more dangerous because of the support of his inner circle and his businesses'. The defense countered, and urged the the jury to acquit Combs and reject what they called an 'exaggerated' and 'false' case by the government. Combs's lawyer challenged witness testimony from the trial, pushed back on the government's allegations and charges, and disputed the prosecution's portrayal of Ventura and Jane as sex trafficking victims, describing them instead as women with agency who willingly participated in the 'freak offs'. Though Combs didn't testify, he remained visibly engaged throughout the proceedings, frequently conferring with his legal team and reacting visibly to testimony. Earlier this month, the judge reprimanded him for 'nodding vigorously' at the jury and warned that he could be removed from the courtroom if he continued. Separately, Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault. He has denied sexually assaulting anyone.
CNN
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
'Jane' Says She Entered 2-Year 'Love Contract' With Diddy - Laura Coates Live - Podcast on CNN Audio
'Jane' Says She Entered 2-Year 'Love Contract' With Diddy Laura Coates Live 47 mins A woman using the pseudonym 'Jane' took the stand for a second day of salacious testimony at the end of the fourth week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal criminal trial. Jane's testimony comes as the prosecution seeks to show Combs and his inner circle used violence, lies, drugs, and other means to coerce Jane and Cassie Ventura into having sex with other men as part of drug-fueled sexual performances known as 'hotel nights' or 'Freak Offs.'
CNN
03-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
Recap of ‘Diddy' trial: Hotel security guard says Sean Combs paid $100k in cash for video of assault
People in entertainment Sean 'Diddy' CombsFacebookTweetLink Follow A former hotel security officer and a financial executive for Bad Boy Entertainment took the stand Tuesday in Sean 'Diddy' Combs federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial. The money-focused testimony came as the prosecution sought to prove that Combs created a criminal enterprise using his business empire that aided him in coercing women into 'Freak Offs' and to protect his image. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. His defense has acknowledged Combs was violent but has questioned the motives of those testifying and has said the accusations fall short of a racketeering conspiracy. The prosecution has said its coming witnesses will be Frank Piazza, a forensic video expert, and Bryana Bongolan, who has accused Combs of dangling her from a balcony. An accuser who will testify under the pseudonym 'Jane,' and who has been referred to as 'Victim-2' in the indictment, is set to testify afterward. Prosecutors indicated she will likely be on the stand for several days. Here's what we learned in testimony Tuesday. Eddy Garcia, who worked as a security officer at the InterContinental Hotel in March 2016, testified that Combs gave him $100,000 in cash to obtain surveillance video of Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The video of the hotel assault has played a key role in the trial so far. CNN first published surveillance video of the incident last year. Garcia testified under an immunity order after he invoked his fifth amendment right not to incriminate himself. He is the second witness in the trial to testify under an immunity order. Garcia testified that shortly after the assault, Kristina Khorram – who identified herself to Garcia as Combs' personal assistant – called hotel security and visited the hotel, asking to view or obtain a copy of the video. Combs also asked for the video in calls with Garcia on the security desk phone line and on Garcia's personal cell phone, Garcia said. 'He stated that I sounded like a good guy, that I sounded like I wanted to help, that something like this could ruin him,' Garcia testified. 'He was concerned that this video would get out and that it would ruin his career.' Garcia testified that Combs also said he 'would take care of me' if Garcia helped him. Garcia said he believed at the time Combs was making a reference to money. Garcia said he initially told Combs and Khorram to contact hotel management or obtain a subpoena for the video, but after the call from Combs to his personal cell, he called his boss, Bill Madrano, to tell him Combs was willing to pay for the video. Madrano said he would do it for $50,000, according to Garcia. 'Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help,' Combs said after learning the news, Garcia testified. The next day, Madrano downloaded the video onto a USB thumb drive and gave it to Garcia, who then delivered it to Combs, he testified. Garcia said Combs asked if it was the only copy of the video. Garcia then called Madrano, who confirmed it was the only copy and he had removed it from the server, he testified. Garcia expressed to Combs that he was concerned about what would happen if Ventura filed a police report about the incident later. Combs then called who Garcia said was Ventura on FaceTime and directed her, 'Let him know that you want this to go away, too,' according to Garcia. Ventura said on the FaceTime call that 'it wasn't a good time for this to come out and she wanted this to go away,' Garcia testified. Garcia testified it looked like Ventura but the woman was wearing a hoodie and the lighting was bad. He said Combs asked for IDs for Garcia, Madrano and the security officer who responded to the incident, Israel Florez. 'This only works if we're all on the same page,' Combs said, according to Garcia. Garcia said that he believed Florez wouldn't agree to cooperate, so he and Madrano gave Combs the ID of a different security officer, Henry Elias. Combs then had Garcia sign paperwork, including a declaration that it was the only existing copy of the video and a non-disclosure agreement, according to Garcia. The jury saw photos of the documents, which were printed on Combs' company letterhead and referenced the company and its New York office address. After Garcia signed the papers, Combs left with the documents and returned with a brown bag and a money counter, he said. Combs put a total of $100,000 through the money counter in stacks of $10,000 at a time, Garcia said. Garcia testified he assumed the extra $50,000 was for himself and the other security officer. Garcia said he gave $50,000 to Madrano and $20,000 to Elias. With the remaining $30,000, he bought a used car and did not deposit any of the money into a bank account or report it on his taxes, he said. Garcia said that about a week or two afterward, he noticed the incident report and attached security footage were no longer on the security computer. He said he did not report it to anyone because that would 'draw more attention to the situation.' Combs reached out to Garcia a few weeks later to ask if anyone had asked about the incident or video, Garcia testified. He said he hadn't heard anything. Garcia testified he was contacted by law enforcement in June 2024 about the incident and said he wasn't honest about his own involvement in the situation at the time. He also testified that he deleted his messages with Florez and Elias about it. Garcia said he later met with the government again and disclosed that Combs had paid him for the video. He said he was truthful in that meeting and all his subsequent meetings with prosecutors. On cross-examination, defense attorney Brian Steel reviewed sections of the non-disclosure agreement and noted that it included provisions for when Garcia could discuss the information with law enforcement or other government bodies, but it also specified he had to tell notify Combs' company if he did. Derek Ferguson – the former chief financial officer at Bad Boy Entertainment, the company that included the record label founded by Combs – testified Tuesday about the overlap of Combs' personal and business finances. Ferguson worked for Combs and his companies from 1998 to 2017, including as the CFO at Bad Boy from 1998 to 2012. He said his responsibilities included setting budgets, accounting and record-keeping, as well as some joint ventures and strategic partnerships. Combs' personal finances were also sometimes part of Ferguson's responsibilities, he said, but there were periods during his tenure when third parties were assigned to handle them. Ferguson said Combs would charge business and personal expenses on his corporate card 'from time to time.' Ferguson said members of his team would determine which business or entity a charge pertained to, and then they'd use that business's account to pay that charge. Ferguson testified that the finance department managed the finances for Combs' properties that he owned in Miami, the Hamptons and New York City. Ferguson also confirmed he knew Combs would provide financial support to family and friends through his personal salaries and distributions. The jury saw December 2011 bank statements for Combs' bank account for his home in Alpine, New Jersey. On December 14, the records showed the account transferred $20,000 to his ex-girlfriend and key trial witness Cassie Ventura. On December 23, the records show an incoming wire transfer from Rodrick Ventura, Cassie Ventura's father, for $20,000, and on December 27, Combs' account returned the $20,000. The records match up with testimony from Regina Ventura, Cassie Ventura's mother, who said she wired $20,000 to Bad Boy on Combs' request because she was 'scared about my daughter's safety' after Cassie Ventura sent her a text saying Combs was going to release sexually explicit videos and threatened to have her physically hurt. The money was returned to her account days later, she testified. On cross-examination, Ferguson confirmed that there were employees in the finance department who went through the corporate credit card statements to determine which charges were valid business expenses and which were personal expenses. He testified it wasn't his job or Combs' to categorize credit card expenses. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked Ferguson how he currently feels about Combs. After pausing for several seconds, Ferguson shook his head and said, 'I don't know how to respond to that.'
CNN
03-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
Recap of ‘Diddy' trial: Hotel security guard says Sean Combs paid $100k in cash for video of assault
A former hotel security officer and a financial executive for Bad Boy Entertainment took the stand Tuesday in Sean 'Diddy' Combs federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial. The money-focused testimony came as the prosecution sought to prove that Combs created a criminal enterprise using his business empire that aided him in coercing women into 'Freak Offs' and to protect his image. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. His defense has acknowledged Combs was violent but has questioned the motives of those testifying and has said the accusations fall short of a racketeering conspiracy. The prosecution has said its coming witnesses will be Frank Piazza, a forensic video expert, and Bryana Bongolan, who has accused Combs of dangling her from a balcony. An accuser who will testify under the pseudonym 'Jane,' and who has been referred to as 'Victim-2' in the indictment, is set to testify afterward. Prosecutors indicated she will likely be on the stand for several days. Here's what we learned in testimony Tuesday. Eddy Garcia, who worked as a security officer at the InterContinental Hotel in March 2016, testified that Combs gave him $100,000 in cash to obtain surveillance video of Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The video of the hotel assault has played a key role in the trial so far. CNN first published surveillance video of the incident last year. Garcia testified under an immunity order after he invoked his fifth amendment right not to incriminate himself. He is the second witness in the trial to testify under an immunity order. Garcia testified that shortly after the assault, Kristina Khorram – who identified herself to Garcia as Combs' personal assistant – called hotel security and visited the hotel, asking to view or obtain a copy of the video. Combs also asked for the video in calls with Garcia on the security desk phone line and on Garcia's personal cell phone, Garcia said. 'He stated that I sounded like a good guy, that I sounded like I wanted to help, that something like this could ruin him,' Garcia testified. 'He was concerned that this video would get out and that it would ruin his career.' Garcia testified that Combs also said he 'would take care of me' if Garcia helped him. Garcia said he believed at the time Combs was making a reference to money. Garcia said he initially told Combs and Khorram to contact hotel management or obtain a subpoena for the video, but after the call from Combs to his personal cell, he called his boss, Bill Madrano, to tell him Combs was willing to pay for the video. Madrano said he would do it for $50,000, according to Garcia. 'Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help,' Combs said after learning the news, Garcia testified. The next day, Madrano downloaded the video onto a USB thumb drive and gave it to Garcia, who then delivered it to Combs, he testified. Garcia said Combs asked if it was the only copy of the video. Garcia then called Madrano, who confirmed it was the only copy and he had removed it from the server, he testified. Garcia expressed to Combs that he was concerned about what would happen if Ventura filed a police report about the incident later. Combs then called who Garcia said was Ventura on FaceTime and directed her, 'Let him know that you want this to go away, too,' according to Garcia. Ventura said on the FaceTime call that 'it wasn't a good time for this to come out and she wanted this to go away,' Garcia testified. Garcia testified it looked like Ventura but the woman was wearing a hoodie and the lighting was bad. He said Combs asked for IDs for Garcia, Madrano and the security officer who responded to the incident, Israel Florez. 'This only works if we're all on the same page,' Combs said, according to Garcia. Garcia said that he believed Florez wouldn't agree to cooperate, so he and Madrano gave Combs the ID of a different security officer, Henry Elias. Combs then had Garcia sign paperwork, including a declaration that it was the only existing copy of the video and a non-disclosure agreement, according to Garcia. The jury saw photos of the documents, which were printed on Combs' company letterhead and referenced the company and its New York office address. After Garcia signed the papers, Combs left with the documents and returned with a brown bag and a money counter, he said. Combs put a total of $100,000 through the money counter in stacks of $10,000 at a time, Garcia said. Garcia testified he assumed the extra $50,000 was for himself and the other security officer. Garcia said he gave $50,000 to Madrano and $20,000 to Elias. With the remaining $30,000, he bought a used car and did not deposit any of the money into a bank account or report it on his taxes, he said. Garcia said that about a week or two afterward, he noticed the incident report and attached security footage were no longer on the security computer. He said he did not report it to anyone because that would 'draw more attention to the situation.' Combs reached out to Garcia a few weeks later to ask if anyone had asked about the incident or video, Garcia testified. He said he hadn't heard anything. Garcia testified he was contacted by law enforcement in June 2024 about the incident and said he wasn't honest about his own involvement in the situation at the time. He also testified that he deleted his messages with Florez and Elias about it. Garcia said he later met with the government again and disclosed that Combs had paid him for the video. He said he was truthful in that meeting and all his subsequent meetings with prosecutors. On cross-examination, defense attorney Brian Steel reviewed sections of the non-disclosure agreement and noted that it included provisions for when Garcia could discuss the information with law enforcement or other government bodies, but it also specified he had to tell notify Combs' company if he did. Derek Ferguson – the former chief financial officer at Bad Boy Entertainment, the company that included the record label founded by Combs – testified Tuesday about the overlap of Combs' personal and business finances. Ferguson worked for Combs and his companies from 1998 to 2017, including as the CFO at Bad Boy from 1998 to 2012. He said his responsibilities included setting budgets, accounting and record-keeping, as well as some joint ventures and strategic partnerships. Combs' personal finances were also sometimes part of Ferguson's responsibilities, he said, but there were periods during his tenure when third parties were assigned to handle them. Ferguson said Combs would charge business and personal expenses on his corporate card 'from time to time.' Ferguson said members of his team would determine which business or entity a charge pertained to, and then they'd use that business's account to pay that charge. Ferguson testified that the finance department managed the finances for Combs' properties that he owned in Miami, the Hamptons and New York City. Ferguson also confirmed he knew Combs would provide financial support to family and friends through his personal salaries and distributions. The jury saw December 2011 bank statements for Combs' bank account for his home in Alpine, New Jersey. On December 14, the records showed the account transferred $20,000 to his ex-girlfriend and key trial witness Cassie Ventura. On December 23, the records show an incoming wire transfer from Rodrick Ventura, Cassie Ventura's father, for $20,000, and on December 27, Combs' account returned the $20,000. The records match up with testimony from Regina Ventura, Cassie Ventura's mother, who said she wired $20,000 to Bad Boy on Combs' request because she was 'scared about my daughter's safety' after Cassie Ventura sent her a text saying Combs was going to release sexually explicit videos and threatened to have her physically hurt. The money was returned to her account days later, she testified. On cross-examination, Ferguson confirmed that there were employees in the finance department who went through the corporate credit card statements to determine which charges were valid business expenses and which were personal expenses. He testified it wasn't his job or Combs' to categorize credit card expenses. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked Ferguson how he currently feels about Combs. After pausing for several seconds, Ferguson shook his head and said, 'I don't know how to respond to that.'
