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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-assistant Brendan Paul testifies he bought drugs for Combs — but he was no 'drug mule'
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs resumed Friday in Manhattan federal court, with Brendan Paul, a former assistant described in multiple civil lawsuits as Combs's 'drug mule,' testifying against him in the high-profile sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called "freak offs" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. The defense has argued that the encounters were consensual, and Combs has denied any wrongdoing. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Friday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News, and the Washington Post. Paul testified after invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Judge Arun Subramanian signed an immunity order compelling Paul's testimony. He told the court that he worked for Combs from 2022 until 2024, describing the grueling 80-to-100-hour weeks he spent helping coordinate the mogul's travel, fitness workouts, meal plans and assorted other needs, including setting up hotel rooms for "freak offs" — or what he knew as "wild king nights" — ahead of Combs's arrival. Like other former assistants, Paul said he would stock the rooms with supplies, including candles, condoms, Astroglide and a Gucci pouch that contained drugs. He also sometimes cleaned the rooms after the sex parties, he said. Paul testified that he would sometimes go days without sleep working for Combs, taking prescription Adderall and occasionally cocaine to stay awake. According to Paul, Combs likened his staff of assistants to SEAL Team 6, demanding they operate with no failures. Paul said that Combs 'fired' him numerous times, including once for forgetting to bring his boss's Lululemon fanny pack. The firings would always blow over within a day or two and he would continue working, he said. Paul testified that he was also tasked with buying drugs — including marijuana, cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy — for Combs. Combs or one of his other assistants would instruct him to obtain the drugs, which involved meeting with drug dealers with such nicknames as Guido, Baby Girl and One Stop, Paul said. Paul told the court that he would also pick up prescription drugs for Combs at pharmacies under Combs's real name or the alias "Frank Black." Once he procured the drugs, Paul said he would give them directly to Combs or put them in Combs's Gucci bag, where they were often stored. But under cross-examination by the defense, Paul testified that handling drugs was only a minor part of his work for Combs, and that it was his understanding that the drugs were for the mogul's personal use. 'You were not some drug mule, right?' defense attorney Brian Steel asked. 'Absolutely not,' Paul replied. Paul was arrested for possession of cocaine at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in March 2024, around the same time federal agents raided Combs's homes. The charges were later dropped. He told the court that he got the cocaine while he was "sweeping" Combs's room and put it in his own bag, but then forgot to remove it before leaving for a family trip. 'I was sweeping his room and put it in my bag and forgot it while I was packing,' he explained. Paul said he told law enforcement that everything in the bag, including the cocaine, was his, and did not say where he got it out of "loyalty" to Combs. Big picture: Prosecutors hope to convince jurors that Combs used his business empire, including assistants like Paul, to procure drugs and help him set up "freak offs" as part of their racketeering conspiracy charge. But under cross-examination, Paul acknowledged that Combs did not ask him to travel with the cocaine, and that he had left it in his bag by mistake. While Joseph Cerciello, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, was on the stand, prosecutors entered into evidence text messages between Combs and Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend and a star witness for the government's case. The messages were from March 2017, a year after Combs was captured on surveillance video assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel. "That's not love, that's possession," Ventura wrote to Combs in one of the messages, which was shown in court. At one point, Combs asked Ventura if she was "flipping" on him. She said she 'aint flipping' but that she also did not want to subject herself to another 'beat down.' Later in the exchange, Ventura told Combs, 'You treat me like a hooker to be honest. You always want to call one and you have one. This hooker has been here for 10 years.' Prosecutors had hoped to rest their case this week, but the court was adjourned without testimony Wednesday because a juror was sick with vertigo, delaying the proceedings. Court was not in session Thursday for the Juneteenth holiday. The government said it now expects to wrap up its case Monday. Combs's lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, estimated it would take less than two days to present his defense, and likely rest on Tuesday or Wednesday. (The defense had already hinted that Combs probably won't testify.) Under that timeline, Subramanian said jury deliberations could begin Thursday after closing arguments, and asked both sides to prepare modifications to the proposed instructions that will be given to the jury when it gets the case.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
With missiles slamming into buildings, Israelis say they are losing their sense of security
People huddle in an underground public shelter last Friday in Tel Aviv during a retaliatory attack by Iran after Israel launched airstrikes on its neighbour. Photo / the Washington Post For five days, Iran's ballistic missile salvos against Israel have torn through residential buildings and killed two dozen civilians, set cars and infrastructure ablaze. The attacks have Israelis questioning their already fractured sense of security. In Tel Aviv, Israel's otherwise bustling financial and cultural hub, the streets have gone
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-girlfriend ‘Jane' faces more cross examination, says she initiated some ‘hotel nights'
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, with 'Jane' — a pseudonym for an alleged victim and ex-girlfriend of Combs — returning to the witness stand for a fifth day of testimony in the high-profile sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called "freak offs" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. In direct testimony, Jane tearfully recounted the 'freak offs'— which she called 'hotel nights' — telling the court that she felt obligated to 'perform' sex acts for Combs with other men because he was paying her rent. She also testified about a brutal assault she endured before Combs ordered her to cover up her injuries and take ecstasy for an impromptu 'hotel night.' Facing more cross-examination by the defense on Wednesday, Jane told the court that she initiated some of the encounters, including one in which she hired two men. She appeared emotional while reading texts she sent to Combs in 2023, calling him a 'blessing' and saying she was grateful that he was taking care of her financially. Combs's defense team said they'll finish Jane's cross-examination Thursday morning. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Wednesday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News, and the Washington Post. Before Jane's testimony got underway, Judge Arun Subramanian listened to arguments over a prosecution request to dismiss one of the jurors for reasons that have not yet been made public. Prosecutor Maurene Comey told Subramanian that the government was initially reluctant to ask for the removal of juror no. 6, but has since concluded the juror appears to have shown 'a lack of candor with the court that raises serious issues.' Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro objected, saying it was a 'thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.' Subramanian said he would handle the issue on Thursday after hearing in writing from both sides. Under cross-examination by the defense, Jane acknowledged that she once threatened to not participate in a 'hotel night' with Combs for Valentine's Day 2022 after she saw social media posts of him on vacation with another woman. She demanded that he leave the vacation a day early and return to her. When he agreed, she planned the 'hotel night,' decorating the room with rose petals and hiring two male entertainers to have sex with her while Combs watched. Jane testified that it was her idea to have the two men in the room with her at the same time. 'Yes, that was my suggestion,' Jane said in court, adding that Combs was 'excited about that.' In late August 2022, Jane testified that she told Combs how much she appreciated the sexual encounters after a hotel night with him and a sex worker named Paul. Jane texted Combs that she's 'having so much fun' and she would 'never take this for granted and will always make sure you are taken care of.' Big picture: The defense is seeking to refute the prosecution's claims that the alleged victims were coerced by Combs into participating in the marathon sexual encounters by showing they were willing participants. Having Jane acknowledge that she arranged a 'hotel night' with two men, and later saying she was having 'fun' is part of that effort. On the witness stand, Jane read text messages she sent to Combs in April 2023 after a hotel night, right around the time she moved into a rented Los Angeles home, which Combs is currently paying for. 'The fact that you are the reason for my child's joy is a feeling inside me that I can't explain,' Jane read, tearing up. 'You are truly a blessing in my life, I have never had a man take care of me like you do,' Jane continued. 'You are my lover, my partner, my boyfriend,' she wrote.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-girlfriend ‘Jane' faces cross-examination from the defense after harrowing testimony about ‘hotel nights'
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, with 'Jane' — a pseudonym for an alleged victim and ex-girlfriend of Combs — returning to the witness stand to face cross-examination from the defense in the high-profile sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called "freak offs" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. Testifying for a fourth straight day, Jane said that she still loves Combs despite her allegations of abuse, and that she endured the 'freak offs,' or what she called 'hotel nights,' because 'he was my baby.' Over three days of direct testimony, she tearfully recounted the harrowing sexual encounters — telling the court that she felt obligated to 'perform' sex acts for Combs with other men because he was paying her rent. She also testified about a brutal assault she endured before Combs ordered her to cover up her injuries and take ecstasy for an impromptu 'hotel night.' The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Wednesday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News, and the Washington Post. Under cross-examination, Jane acknowledged that despite the alleged abuse, she still loves Combs. She told the court that she endured the 'freak offs' or 'hotel nights' — and having sex with multiple strange men in front of Combs — because she often thought it was the only way she could spend time with him. 'He was my baby,' she said. She said that after a typical 'hotel night,' she'd give him foot massages, feed and bathe him and put on his favorite show, NBC's 'Dateline,' until he fell asleep. When asked by defense attorney Teny Geragos if she still loved Combs, Jane said that she does. Geragos pressed Jane on the financial support she has received from Combs. During her direct testimony, Jane told the court that Combs paid and still pays her $10,000-per-month rent — part of the 'love contract' she entered into with him — and that he is currently paying her attorney fees for appearing as a government witness at his trial. Over the course of their three-plus-year relationship, Geragos estimated that Combs wired Jane $150,000. Jane said that she was not sure of the exact figure but that the number seemed accurate. But Jane also testified that she lived under constant threat of Combs not paying her rent, which she said he used 'as a little tool.' Big picture: The defense sought to underscore the consistent financial support Combs has given Jane — an arrangement that could undercut her allegations of abuse in the minds of the jury. Jane testified that early in their relationship, she became concerned about Combs's drug use. She recalled that on a trip to Turks and Caicos, the music mogul's hands were shaking and that the coloring of his eyes and gums seemed off. 'I could tell he wasn't taking very good care of himself,' she said, adding that she urged him to seek treatment. When Geragos suggested that Jane knew Combs was a drug addict, she said, 'In the beginning I didn't really know how to label it. I encountered somebody that was overdoing the partying.' 'As our relationship continued I noticed a very strong pattern, and I still didn't really even label [him] as a drug addict," she said. "I think now I would say that, but then I just would say that he was a really big party guy.' Describing the details of some of their 'hotel nights' under cross-examination, Jane testified that when they were with a male escort named Paul, they likened themselves to NBA greats. They called themselves 'the trifecta,' a label coined by Combs, she said. In this scenario, Jane was Kobe Bryant, Paul was Shaquille O'Neal and Combs was Michael Jordan. "I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq," she told the court. "Sean was Michael Jordan." As the frequency of their "hotel nights" increased, Jane said that she sought to understand Combs's desire to see her have sex with other men. She told the court that she began researching and came across the word "cuck," which is derived from "cuckhold," a man whose wife or girlfriend is unfaithful. She said she understood a "cuck" to mean a man who is turned on by watching his woman have sex with another man. (In recent years, the word has been co-opted by right-wing conservatives as a derogatory term for a man who has politically progressive or moderate views.) Jane said she also believed Combs could have been exploring bisexuality. 'Cucks could also have a bi-curiosity that they are too ashamed to experience themselves,' she explained. 'So they use the woman to venture out in this curiosity without actually doing the act itself.' Big picture: The defense has argued that Combs was engaged in a "swinger" lifestyle and not a criminal enterprise as prosecutors allege. Having the jury hear Jane say that she believes Combs was exploring his sexuality through the "freak offs" could help make that case. At one point during Tuesday's cross-examination, Jane and defense lawyer Geragos got into a pointed exchange over designer handbags. Geragos suggested that Jane was accepting designer handbags from Combs in exchange for having sex with strange men. "No, I got trauma," the witness said. When Geragos asked Jane if she knew what a Bottega handbag is, she responded: "I'm sure you have one." Then, when Geragos asked how much a Bottega bag costs, Jane shot back: "How much does my body cost?" Before testimony got underway, Judge Arun Subramanian denied a motion for a mistrial submitted over the weekend by Combs's legal team. The motion was centered around the testimony of government witness Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who testified that Combs dangled her from the 17th-floor balcony of Ventura's apartment in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2016. The defense submitted evidence showing Combs wasn't in Los Angeles on that date. Bongolan said she estimated the date based on photos of her injuries. Combs's team alleged mistrial prosecutorial misconduct, claiming that the government knew or should have known that the witness's assertion of the date the alleged attack occurred was "demonstrably false.' But the judge disagreed. 'This is not fodder for a mistrial; this is the adversarial process at work,' Subramanian said, while calling defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland's cross-examination of Bongolan a 'real Perry Mason moment.' No interference happened, Subramanian said, and the defense was fully able to undermine Bongolan's testimony.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-girlfriend ‘Jane' faces cross-examination from the defense after harrowing testimony about ‘hotel nights'
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, with 'Jane' — a pseudonym for an alleged victim and ex-girlfriend of Combs — returning to the witness stand to face cross-examination from the defense in the high-profile sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called "freak offs" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. Testifying for a fourth straight day, Jane said that she still loves Combs despite her allegations of abuse, and that she endured the 'freak offs,' or what she called 'hotel nights,' because 'he was my baby.' Over three days of direct testimony, she tearfully recounted the harrowing sexual encounters — telling the court that she felt obligated to 'perform' sex acts for Combs with other men because he was paying her rent. She also testified about a brutal assault she endured before Combs ordered her to cover up her injuries and take ecstasy for an impromptu 'hotel night.' The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Wednesday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News, and the Washington Post. Under cross-examination, Jane acknowledged that despite the alleged abuse, she still loves Combs. She told the court that she endured the 'freak offs' or 'hotel nights' — and having sex with multiple strange men in front of Combs — because she often thought it was the only way she could spend time with him. 'He was my baby,' she said. She said that after a typical 'hotel night,' she'd give him foot massages, feed and bathe him and put on his favorite show, NBC's 'Dateline,' until he fell asleep. When asked by defense attorney Teny Geragos if she still loved Combs, Jane said that she does. Geragos pressed Jane on the financial support she has received from Combs. During her direct testimony, Jane told the court that Combs paid and still pays her $10,000-per-month rent — part of the 'love contract' she entered into with him — and that he is currently paying her attorney fees for appearing as a government witness at his trial. Over the course of their three-plus-year relationship, Geragos estimated that Combs wired Jane $150,000. Jane said that she was not sure of the exact figure but that the number seemed accurate. But Jane also testified that she lived under constant threat of Combs not paying her rent, which she said he used 'as a little tool.' Big picture: The defense sought to underscore the consistent financial support Combs has given Jane — an arrangement that could undercut her allegations of abuse in the minds of the jury. Jane testified that early in their relationship, she became concerned about Combs's drug use. She recalled that on a trip to Turks and Caicos, the music mogul's hands were shaking and that the coloring of his eyes and gums seemed off. 'I could tell he wasn't taking very good care of himself,' she said, adding that she urged him to seek treatment. When Geragos suggested that Jane knew Combs was a drug addict, she said, 'In the beginning I didn't really know how to label it. I encountered somebody that was overdoing the partying.' 'As our relationship continued I noticed a very strong pattern, and I still didn't really even label [him] as a drug addict," she said. "I think now I would say that, but then I just would say that he was a really big party guy.' Describing the details of some of their 'hotel nights' under cross-examination, Jane testified that when they were with a male escort named Paul, they likened themselves to NBA greats. They called themselves 'the trifecta,' a label coined by Combs, she said. In this scenario, Jane was Kobe Bryant, Paul was Shaquille O'Neal and Combs was Michael Jordan. "I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq," she told the court. "Sean was Michael Jordan." As the frequency of their "hotel nights" increased, Jane said that she sought to understand Combs's desire to see her have sex with other men. She told the court that she began researching and came across the word "cuck," which is derived from "cuckhold," a man whose wife or girlfriend is unfaithful. She said she understood a "cuck" to mean a man who is turned on by watching his woman have sex with another man. (In recent years, the word has been co-opted by right-wing conservatives as a derogatory term for a man who has politically progressive or moderate views.) Jane said she also believed Combs could have been exploring bisexuality. 'Cucks could also have a bi-curiosity that they are too ashamed to experience themselves,' she explained. 'So they use the woman to venture out in this curiosity without actually doing the act itself.' Big picture: The defense has argued that Combs was engaged in a "swinger" lifestyle and not a criminal enterprise as prosecutors allege. Having the jury hear Jane say that she believes Combs was exploring his sexuality through the "freak offs" could help make that case. At one point during Tuesday's cross-examination, Jane and defense lawyer Geragos got into a pointed exchange over designer handbags. Geragos suggested that Jane was accepting designer handbags from Combs in exchange for having sex with strange men. "No, I got trauma," the witness said. When Geragos asked Jane if she knew what a Bottega handbag is, she responded: "I'm sure you have one." Then, when Geragos asked how much a Bottega bag costs, Jane shot back: "How much does my body cost?" Before testimony got underway, Judge Arun Subramanian denied a motion for a mistrial submitted over the weekend by Combs's legal team. The motion was centered around the testimony of government witness Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who testified that Combs dangled her from the 17th-floor balcony of Ventura's apartment in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2016. The defense submitted evidence showing Combs wasn't in Los Angeles on that date. Bongolan said she estimated the date based on photos of her injuries. Combs's team alleged mistrial prosecutorial misconduct, claiming that the government knew or should have known that the witness's assertion of the date the alleged attack occurred was "demonstrably false.' But the judge disagreed. 'This is not fodder for a mistrial; this is the adversarial process at work,' Subramanian said, while calling defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland's cross-examination of Bongolan a 'real Perry Mason moment.' No interference happened, Subramanian said, and the defense was fully able to undermine Bongolan's testimony.
