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USA Today
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Everything that came out of Diddy's trial, from disturbing allegations to photos of belongings
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial had no shortage of disturbing testimony and illuminating evidence. Even for those following every step of the way in the eight-week trial, from jury selection to witness testimony, closing arguments and jury deliberations, there were a lot of claims and evidence to parse through. One juror described taking 350 pages of handwritten notes during testimony, and it was clear the 12-person jury had much to sort through before handing down the verdict that acquitted Combs of his top criminal charges. Before telling the judge they had reached a unanimous vote on four of five criminal counts on July 1, the jury asked to review testimony transcripts and refresh their memories regarding what Cassie Ventura Fine said about Combs' physical assault at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016 as well as his abusive actions at the Cannes Film Festival. They also requested testimony from Daniel Phillip, who was hired to have sex with Ventura Fine. Here are the key moments and pieces of evidence that led to the split verdict. More: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' 'Diddy Inc.' empire of mansions, cars and jet likely spared by verdict Cassie Ventura Fine's testimony in Diddy trial included 'freak offs,' other graphic abuse The "Me & U" singer testified May 13-16 and laid bare the raw details of their complicated relationship, including her participation in alleged drug-fueled sexual performances labeled "freak offs," the physical and emotional abuse she said she faced just a few years into their relationship and the violence she allegedly witnessed while with Combs. Explaining why she decided to testify, Ventura Fine told the court, "I can't carry this anymore. I can't carry the shame, the guilt." More: Where to watch the Sean 'Diddy' Combs documentaries on sex-crimes trial, allegations Toward the end of her second day of testimony, Ventura Fine delved into the years following her 2018 breakup from Combs. She said she'd put a $30 million price tag on the rights to a book she'd written about her alleged experiences, a project she'd characterized as an effort to help him understand what he'd put her through. But after he allegedly failed to respond, she sued him in November 2023, alleging he had raped, trafficked, sexually assaulted and physically abused her. The two came to an agreement by the following day and announced Ventura Fine would dismiss the lawsuit following an unspecified settlement. It was finally revealed on May 14 that the settlement amounted to $20 million, paid for by Combs and his companies. 'I understand': Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial juror breaks silence on verdict Diddy's former personal assistant describes alleged rape "Mia," a woman using a pseudonym who worked for Combs from 2009 to 2017, testified on May 29 that Combs sexually assaulted her on "more than one" occasion. While living with Combs at his Beverly Hills mansion from 2010 to 2014, she claimed she lived in a room that couldn't lock. This was where, at one point, Combs raped her as she was asleep in a bottom bunk, Mia told the courtroom through sobs. She said she felt like she couldn't tell him "no" about anything. "I couldn't tell him 'no' about a sandwich," she said. She worried that he would "fire me and ruin my future. I knew his power and his control over me. I didn't want to lose everything I had worked so hard for." OPINION: Diddy verdict got it wrong because we don't recognize what sex trafficking looks like Diddy's ex-girlfriend extensively detailed 'hotel nights' with escorts that could last 3 days "Jane," a woman using a pseudonym who dated Combs on-and-off from 2021 to 2024, tearfully testified about feeling pressured to take drugs, have nonstop sex with escorts and deprioritize her work, for fear of Combs' disapproval and cease financial contributions. She said that "freak offs" would happen every week or every other week for much of their relationship and could last as long as three and a half days. In 2023, Jane said she texted Combs that she was feeling "disgusted with myself" after one night of fun had turned into their entire relationship. She wrote that she didn't "want to lose the roof over my head" or "feel obligated to perform these nights with you." At the time, Jane said Combs was paying her $10,000 rent. Jane sobbed as she described one "hotel night" that happened as they celebrated her birthday in Miami in 2023. What was supposed to be a night for "just me and him" turned into Jane agreeing to have sex with three men consecutively to please Combs, she said. Did Cassie consent to Diddy? When it comes to abuse, there can't be consent. "I just feel like at this point I've done so many of these," she testified. "I just know how to tune it out." Diddy still pays for ex-girlfriend's home Jane testified that Combs paid her $10,000 a month in rent as part of a "love contract" that he proposed between them, and he also got her veneers. "Sean said, let's do a love contract," she said. "He asked me how much allowance I want going forward." There were gasps in the overflow room when Jane was asked who was paying her rent now and she responded, "Sean (Combs)." Combs is also still paying for Jane's lawyer. Cassie's mom said she wired Diddy $20K Regina Ventura, Cassie Ventura Fine's mother, testified that she wired Combs $20,000 when the rapper was threatening to release sex tapes of her daughter. Ventura said the money came back to her four or five days after Combs pushed her to wire it to his company. "He was angry that he spent money on her and that she had been with another person," she said on the stand, going on to add that she sent the money because she "was scared for my daughter's safety." More: Abusive lifestyle vs. a criminal enterprise: Inside the Diddy trial and what the verdict means Evidence in Diddy's trial showed drugs in his hotel room, hundreds of baby oil bottles Throughout the trial, prosecutors released evidence shown to jurors to the public. Pictures taken by federal agents showed the items in Combs' possession up until his September 2024 arrest, which included hundreds of baby oil and lubricant bottles in his Los Angeles and Miami homes – uncovered during Homeland Security raids in March 2024 – as well as drugs found in his hotel room after he was taken into custody. The government also presented photos of damage to a Porsche belonging to Kid Cudi, who testified about his belief that Combs was responsible for a Molotov cocktail that exploded in the car. However, some evidence in the criminal case, including footage of Combs' "freak offs," was off-limits to the public and only shown to jurors due to the graphic nature of the content, which was deemed a privacy violation by the witnesses –Ventura Fine and Jane – who were shown in the videos. Read on to see what prosecutors claimed was evidence of Combs' criminal enterprise. Raid of Diddy's LA home revealed 900 bottles of Astroglide, bags of ketamine On June 13, Andre Lamon from Homeland Security Investigations testified in Combs' criminal trial that he and other agents found 900 bottles of Astroglide, 200 bottles of baby oil and multiple bags of ketamine while raiding Combs' Los Angeles mansion. The jury was shown photos from the March 25, 2024, search through the sprawling is what agents discovered at Combs' multimillion-dollar Holmby Hills home. On her third day of testimony, Ventura Fine also revealed the extent of her and Combs' drug use in their decade together. Combs was once hospitalized due to "a very strong" opiate, she told defense lawyers, revealing the incident occurred around the time Whitney Houston died in February 2012. Raid of Diddy's Miami home found cocaine, guns, sexual enhancement product In the third week of Combs' trial on sex crimes and racketeering, Homeland Security Investigations special agent Gerard Gannon discussed his team's March 2024 raid of Combs' Miami estate. He and fellow agents allegedly found drugs including ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms and heroin, as well as firearms, gun accessories, Johnson's baby oil and Astroglide lubricant. A photo also showed a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement. Diddy's arrest: Baby oil, drugs found in NYC hotel room On May 19, 2025, prosecutors released images of the belongings found in Combs' hotel room after the embattled music mogul was arrested at a New York hotel on Sept. items included baby oil, lubricant, $9,000 in cash, prescription medication and drugs that tested positive for ketamine and MDMA. Diddy's baby oil use was known at his favorite hotels Multiple witnesses' testimony touched on Combs' reported use of baby oil in "freak-offs." On May 22, for example, Frederic Zemmour, the general manager of the L'Ermitage Beverly Hills luxury hotel, walked jurors through logs of Combs' stays at the celebrity-favorite institution. For one of Combs' stays in 2015, the hotel's documents said that the rapper "ALWAYS spills candle wax on everything and uses excessive amounts of oil," and that his room should be placed "out of order upon departure for deep cleaning." The notes also said to "please authorize an extra $1000 when guest stays with us to cover any room damages." A housekeeping note said to "monitor outside his room/down the hall to spray air freshener." Alleged Molotov cocktail tore up the inside of Kid Cudi's Porsche Kid Cudi took the stand on May 22 to reveal Combs allegedly broke into his home in December 2011 after finding out Cudi was romantically involved with Ventura Fine. When the "Pursuit of Happiness" musician arrived at his house, he noticed no one was inside but some of his belongings were in disarray. Cudi said he received a call in January 2012 that his car was on fire, and jurors were shown photos of the destroyed vehicle. He later confronted Combs in a meeting, asking, "What about my vehicle?" to which Combs allegedly responded, "What vehicle?" Combs' team has repeatedly denied his involvement in the incident. While cross-examining Los Angeles law enforcement officials on May 28, the defense cast doubt on Combs' role by emphasizing police found a potential hit for female DNA on the bottle used in the car explosion. Contributing: Gina Barton, Aysha Bagchi, Josh Meyer, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY staff If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673. 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.
Los Angeles Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs verdict sparks AI snark from 50 Cent but resolve among accusers
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' high-profile sex trafficking and RICO trial came to a close on Wednesday, prompting a variety of reactions from other musicians, accusers, supporters and social media critics. Federal prosecutors accused the music mogul of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution before his criminal trial in New York began last month. On Wednesday, jurors found Combs, 55, guilty on two counts of the prostitution-related charge but cleared him of the most serious charges: racketeering and sex trafficking. The split verdict proved a victory for Combs and his legal team, with defense attorney Marc Agnifilo telling Judge Arun Subramanian, 'Mr. Combs has been given his life by this jury.' Rapper 50 Cent — who has trolled Combs on social media since disturbing allegations against the Bad Boy Records founder first surfaced in late 2023 — offered a less formal take on the verdict. 'Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man!,' the pugnacious 'In Da Club' artist said on Instagram. 50 Cent reacted to the verdict by posting a seemingly AI-generated selfie. '[Combs] beat the RICO,' he said, likening Combs to a gay version of organized crime boss John Gotti. For the record, Gotti was convicted in 1992 of murder and racketeering. On Tuesday, 50 Cent seemingly had hinted at Combs' partial victory with another Instagram post. 'Diddy just told me to tell Yall don't worry about him, he gonna hold it down,' he captioned another AI-generated photo. Singer Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) received praise from her legal team after Wednesday's verdict. The 'Me & U' artist dated Combs for about 11 years before their split in 2018. In November 2023 she sued Combs, becoming the first accuser to publicly raise allegations of rape, sexual assault and sex trafficking against Combs. During the weeks-long trial, a pregnant Cassie took the stand to testify about her relationship with Combs and the alleged sexual 'freak-off' events he orchestrated. Attorney Douglas Wigdor said in a statement to The Times on Wednesday that his client 'paved the way' for Combs' conviction. Combs faces up to 10 years in prison for each prostitution-related count. He has been in custody since he was indicted last year. 'By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat — with no reservation — that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial,' Wigdor said. 'She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion.' Combs' case 'proved that change is long overdue,' added Wigdor, who also said his firm remains committed to 'fight on behalf of survivors.' Lisa Bloom, an attorney representing Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard in her sexual assault lawsuit against Combs, said on Instagram 'today's split verdict is a disappointment' but noted the criminal case is different from the civil battle. 'We will continue to aggressively fight our case until we obtain full and complete justice for Dawn,' said Bloom. Outside the courthouse, Combs supporters celebrated the Grammy winner's partial victory by spraying baby oil on each other, according to video shared by NBC News reporter Matt Lavietes. Authorities notably seized narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant — among other findings — at Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles during the raids last year. Several users on social media also expressed confusion and skepticism at the jury's decision to acquit Combs on charges of sex trafficking. Citing the prostitution-related charges, one critic alleged in a tweet 'that is QUITE LITERALLY SEX TRAFFICKING??? hello??' 'Someone [with] a law degree explain to me how that makes sense,' tweeted a second X (formerly Twitter) user. David Ring, an attorney who represents sexual abuse victims in some of the highest-profile cases, told The Times he felt 'the government overreached' in their pursuit of RICO charges. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani also told The Times in an interview prior to Wednesday's verdict that 'the prosecution's presentation was underwhelming.' He added that the high-profile case was 'the most expensive prostitution trial in American history. What a huge win for the defense and a tremendous loss for the prosecution.' Times staff writers Richard Winton and August Brown contributed to this report.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cassie Ventura's attorney issues statement after 'Diddy' verdict
Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura has issued a statement after a Manhattan jury found Sean 'Diddy' Combs not guilty of sex trafficking Wednesday. The 38-year-old 'Me & U' singer — who was heavily pregnant when she testified for four days about her ex-boyfriend's abuse and the drug-fueled 'freak-offs' to which she was subjected — spoke out through her attorney Douglas Wigdor. 'This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,' Wigdor said in a statement to the New York Daily News. 'Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.' Wigdor reiterated the legal team's faith in Ventura, praising her 'exemplary courage throughout this trial.' 'She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,' he continued. 'This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.' In November 2023, Ventura filed a bombshell lawsuit accusing the Bad Boy Records founder, 55, of rape, sex trafficking and abuse during their on-and-off relationship, which lasted from 2007 until 2018. They settled for $20 million the following day, with dozens of similar lawsuits filed since. The Harlem-born mogul's physical abuse of Ventura was confirmed in May 2024, when CNN published harrowing security footage of Combs beating her in a hotel hallway in early 2016. Combs subsequently admitted to and apologized for the attack, unedited video of which was released at his trial. Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, each of which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. He faced life behind bars if convicted on the more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. _____
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Cassie Ventura responds after Diddy found guilty of transporting women for prostitution
After a two-month trial, rapper and producer Sean "Diddy" Combs has been found guilty of transporting his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, for the purpose of prostitution. The verdict followed three days of deliberation by the jury, totaling 13 hours. Combs, 55, was charged with multiple offenses including sex trafficking and racketeering. While he was acquitted of sex trafficking Ventura and another woman referred to only as 'Jane,' he was convicted on two counts of transportation for prostitution. He was also found not guilty on the racketeering charge. The two convictions carry a maximum potential sentence of 10 years. Ventura, 38, testified across four days in June, recounting years of alleged abuse during her on-and-off relationship with Combs, which lasted from 2007 to 2018. She described instances of physical violence, including a 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, supported by surveillance footage. Ventura also spoke about being coerced into so-called 'freak offs'—sex parties orchestrated by Combs. Following the verdict, Ventura's attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, praised her decision to come forward. 'This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,' he said. 'Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.' Outside the courtroom, Ventura's husband, Alex Fine, also publicly acknowledged her bravery. 'Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats,' he said. Beyond the courtroom, Ventura has continued to build a career in music, acting, and modeling. She rose to prominence with her 2006 single Me & U and has appeared in films such as Step Up 2: The Streets and The Perfect Match. She is now married to wellness consultant Alex Fine, with whom she shares three children.
Metro
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Cassie Ventura releases statement after ex Sean 'Diddy' Combs verdict
After a two-month trial, Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of transporting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura for prostitution. The 55-year-old had been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution after he was arrested last September – but had denied all of the allegations and pleaded not guilty. Today, after 13 hours of deliberations over three days, the jury came back – convicting Combs of transporting Ventura and another former girlfriend, only known as Jane, for prostitution. He was found not guilty of racketeering and of sex trafficking both women. In June Ventura, 38, took to the stand for four straight days, detailing the rapper's abuse of her throughout their decade-long on-off relationship. In 2023, she filed a lawsuit accusing her ex of abuse. This included an incident at the InterContinental Hotel in LA in 2016, with CCTV footage appearing to show him grabbing, shoving and kicking her across the floor. Sharing her account with the court, a then heavily-pregnant Ventura, who welcomed her third child with husband Alex Fine a few weeks later, also detailed the so-called 'freak offs' – marathon sex parties she says she had been coerced into by Combs. After dating for 10 years, the pair finally split in 2018. Soon after Combs' verdict was announced, her lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor spoke about Ventura's strength to come forward. In a statement, he said: 'This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. 'By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. 'She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.' Racketeering conspiracy: Not guilty Sex trafficking of Cassie Ventura: Not guilty Transportation for prostitution of Ventura and others: Guilty Sex trafficking of woman known as 'Jane': Not guilty Transportation for prostitution of 'Jane' and others: Guilty Speaking to reporters outside court, he also said: 'We're just pleased that he still faces substantial jail time.' The two charges Combs has been found guilty of have a potential 10-year maximum sentence. Ventura is best known for her music career – releasing her lead single Me & U in 2006, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. She quickly caught the attention of Combs who signed her onto his Bad Boy Records label. In August 2006 her self-titled debut album was released but became her first and last release. She also appeared in Step Up 2: The Streets, The Perfect Match and Empire, as well as modelling for Calvin Klein, ASOS and Abercrombie and Fitch. She and Coombs dated between 2007 and 2018, starting when she was 21 and he was 39. In November 2023, she filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of raping and physically abusing her during their relationship. Combs denied the allegations, with the former couple settling the case the day after the documents were filed. Not long after leaving Combs, Ventura met wellness consultant Alex Fine at the gym. They were married in September 2019 and now have three children together – daughters Frankie Stone and Sunny, as well as their newborn son. After Ventura left the court for the final time, her husband shared a message about her 'strength and bravery'. 'Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself of her past,' he began. More Trending 'I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her. 'So, to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit, nor her smile, that lights up every room. You did not break the souls of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man.' He also denied 'saving' Ventura, adding: 'Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Dave Grohl and wife Jordyn Blum make first public appearance after secret love child revealed MORE: Legendary 70s rock band tease reunion tour after retiring over frontman's serious injury MORE: What happens next in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial now jury has reached verdict
