Diddy ‘wore disguise as he directed sick freak-offs featuring Cassie & male dancer the Punisher' who wrote BOOK about it

The Sun

20-05-2025

AN EXOTIC dancer who calls himself The Punisher testified that Sean "Diddy" Combs wore creepy disguises while he directed the depraved drug-fueled sex sessions he called "freak-offs."
The Punisher, real name Sharay Hayes, said his dozen encounters with Combs and his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura inspired a chapter in his book where he described them as a "married, wealthy couple."
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Hayes, 51, is a male exotic dancer who was paid at least $1,200 per session to have sex with Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, while Combs watched on eight to 12 occasions from 2012 to 2016.
He took the stand in Combs' federal sex trafficking trial on Tuesday to recount his experiences with Cassie, who defense attorneys are trying to paint as a willing participant in Combs' "freak-offs."
Hayes said he was first called to the "freak-off" under the guise that he was performing for a group of friends - but was taken aback when he found only Cassie and Combs in the New York City hotel room.
The Punisher, who said he was given his stage name as a teen on the basketball court, said he didn't recognize Combs during the first "sexy scene" because he was naked and wearing a face covering.
Hayes testified only Combs' eyes were showing out of his disguise, but that Cassie told him not to acknowledge Combs as he watched them cover themselves in baby oil and have sex.
As the sessions continued until 2016, Hayes told jurors he eventually saw Combs' face once he switched his disguise to a baseball cap, leading him to recognize him as the hip hop mogul.
Hayes testified that he didn't have any feelings for Cassie and that he never suspected she was being forced into the "freak-offs."
'I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on,' Hayes testified.
The Punisher said on the stand that he recently wrote and published a self-help book, which includes six pages about the "freak-offs."
"I sensationalize it. I wanted it to be enjoyable," he testified.
It comes as…
Sean Combs' former personal assistant David James testified Combs took drugs "every day" from his "med bag" which sometimes contained Obama-shaped ecstasy pills and Viagra
Cassie Ventura's mom Regina testified that Combs demanded she pay him $20k in exchange for a sex tape of her daughter
Kid Cudi is set to take the stand later this week
Cassie spent four days on the stand last week testifying about drug-fueled sex marathons called "freak-offs" that Combs is accused of forcing her to participate in
Cassie sobbed as she testified that Combs beat her and forced male escorts to urinate on her during the sick sessions
Her husband, Alex Fine, broke his silence with an emotional statement after Cassie left the stand
Dawn Richard testified on Monday that Combs threatened her life to keep her quiet after she saw him beat Cassie in 2009
Combs' attorneys have insisted that while Combs might be guilty of domestic violence against Cassie, he's not guilty of any of the charges against him, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges as prosecutors continue to paint him as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise.
He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
9 minutes ago By Carsen Holaday
Witnesses so far
Ten witnesses have been called so far. In order, they include:
Israel Florez
Daniel Phillip
Cassie Ventura
Yasin Binda
Dawn Richard
Kerry Morgan
David James
Regina Ventura
Sharay Hayes
Gerard Gannon
39 minutes ago By Carsen Holaday
Next witnesses revealed
After Special Agent Gerard Gannon continues his testimony tomorrow, the next witness is Dr. Dawn Hughes.
Hughes is a forensic psychologist with expertise in domestic violence cases.
After Hughes, George Kaplan will take the stand.
Last week, Cassie Ventura testified that Kaplan was an employee who quit after he saw Sean Combs allegedly abuse Cassie.
Rapper Kid Cudi will take the stand after Kaplan.
57 minutes ago By Carsen Holaday
Today's courtroom sketches
Sketches from the courthouse today show witnesses David James, Regina Ventura, and Sharay Hayes on the stand.
Today, 20:53 By Carsen Holaday
Former assistant recalled 'Diddy-bopping'
David James said he was asked to fill Sean Combs' hotel rooms with applesauce, Jello, Fiji water, and Ciroc vodka.
He admitted he sometimes joined in on the partying by drinking Ciroc vodka and taking ecstasy, which he called "Diddy-bopping."
He testified that Combs once kept an "embarrassing" video of him dancing at a party "in case he ever needs it."
Today, 20:53 By Carsen Holaday
About the Obama-shaped ecstasy pills
Sean Combs' former personal assistant David James, testified today that Combs took drugs daily, including Obama-shaped ecstasy pills and Viagra.
Combs carried a designer bag of 30 pill bottles around with him, some of which were allegedly prescribed to his alter ego name Frank Black, according to witness David James.
James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, took the stand for the second day on Tuesday to testify against his former boss.
He told jurors part of his job was to book hotel rooms for Combs under the alias "Frank Black," which he stocked with food, drinks, and toiletries.
James testified that Combs kept various pill bottles in his toiletry bag, a Louis Vuitton pouch that previous witnesses Cassie Ventura and Dawn Richard both testified that Combs called his "med bag."
Combs kept pills including Viagra, weight loss pills, Percocet, ecstasy, water pills, and "sperm booster" pills in the bag, which James testified he kept by his side at all times.
'There were various pills but one was in the form of a former president's face,' James told jurors, then clarified that the ecstasy pills were shaped like former President Barack Obama, whom Combs met on multiple occasions.
James testified that Combs took drugs "every day."
Today, 20:19 By Carsen Holaday
Kid Cudi to take the stand
Rapper Kid Cudi, real name Scott Mescudi, is set to take the stand testify against Sean Combs this week.
Kid Cudi has already been mentioned several times on the stand because he dated Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2011.
He is expected to take the stand on Wednesday or Thursday.
Today, 20:17 By Carsen Holaday
Jury dismissed for the day
Special Agent Gerard Gannon ended the day on the stand by showing the court pictures of items he found in Sean Combs' Miami Beach home, including lingerie and high heels.
The jury has been dismissed for the day.
Court will resume tomorrow morning.
Today, 20:02 By Carsen Holaday
Jury shown AR-15 pieces
Special Agent Gerard Gannon testified that agents found pieces of AR-15 rifles in the closet of Sean Combs' Miami Beach home.
Jurors were shown the upper receivers of the guns in evidence bags.
Gannon told the jury that aside from the rifles, agents found sex toys, platform high heels, baby oil, lubricant, and lingerie in Combs' closet during the raid in 2024.
Today, 19:59 By Carsen Holaday
'The Punisher' at the courthouse
Sharay Hayes, known by his stage name "The Punisher," was pictured arriving at the courthouse to testify against Sean "Diddy" Combs on Tuesday.
Hayes said he engaged in about a dozen "freak-offs" with Combs and Cassie Ventura from 2012 to 2016.
Today, 19:33 By Carsen Holaday
Special agent recalls raiding Combs' Miami home
Special Agent Gerard Gannon testified he was in charge of raiding Sean "Diddy" Combs' Miami home on Star Island in March 2024.
He said about 80 to 90 law enforcement agents raided the 20,000-square-foot property, which includes a main home and a guest house.
He said the search started after 3 pm that day, which is late for a search warrant, but they waited for Combs to leave because he was going on vacation with his family.
Gannon testified that agents used a car to break down Combs' gate.
The house was raided on the same day as Combs' home in Los Angeles.
Today, 19:31 By Carsen Holaday
Diddy shivers in court
Sean Combs is apparently cold in court as he was seen trying to warm himself up at the defense table today.
Combs, wearing a blue sweater, wrapped his arms around himself during a break in his sex trafficking trial.
Today, 19:26 By
'The Punisher' describes last 'freak-off'
Sharay Hayes testified the "freak-offs" were "a lot of pressure" and tha the took medication to help his performance.
He said his last session was in 2016, when he failed to perform and was never invited back.
Before he left, Hayes testified that Cassie Ventura thanked him "for being private and respecting their privacy in terms of our interactions."
Today, 19:20 By Carsen Holaday
Next witness is called
Sharay Hayes has finished his testimony.
Special Agent Gerard Gannon is now taking the stand.
Gannon is the tenth witness called.
Today, 19:14 By Carsen Holaday
Hayes never saw violence
Sharay Hayes said he never saw any violence between Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura during "freak-offs."
He testified that he never saw Cassie acting uncomfortable with the sex sessions.
"It seemed like it was consensual as far as I was concerned," Hayes told the court.
'I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on."
He said he only saw the couple use marijuana during the occasions, and that Cassie never appeared to be high when he saw her.
Today, 19:09 By Carsen Holaday
Cassie's parents leaving the trial
Cassie's parents, Regina and Rodrick Ventura, walked out of the courthouse holding hands this afternoon.
Regina testified that Sean Combs demanded Cassie's parents pay him $20,000 after he found out his ex-girlfriend was dating Kid Cudi.
Today, 19:02 By Carsen Holaday
Hayes said he didn't have feelings for Cassie
Sharay Hayes testified that at the time, he thought he was the only person that Cassie Ventura was having "freak-offs" with and that it felt special.
However, he denied having romantic feelings for Cassie, despite what he told prosecutors during interviews.
'That may have been taken out of context, because that's not the case,' Hayes said.
He told the court he never personally spoke to Cassie outside of brief bantering before a "freak-off."
Hayes' testimony is in direct contrast to Daniel Phillip's time on the stand last Monday.
Phillip, another male escort who engaged in the alleged "freak-offs," said he would have liked to be Cassie's boyfriend and that the two texted outside of the sick sessions.
Today, 18:35 By Carsen Holaday
'The Punisher' said he 'struggled'
After the lunch break, Sharay Hayes testified it was sometimes difficult for him to perform during the "freak-offs" because Sean Combs was there.
"One time Mr. Combs threw condoms on the couch next to us," he recalled.
"I struggled. It was a failure."
He said he wasn't sure if his performance affected his pay.
Today, 17:32 By Carsen Holaday
Court takes a lunch break
The jury is now taking a 30-minute lunch break.
Sharay Hayes will continue his testimony after the recess.
Today, 17:32 By Carsen Holaday
Hayes recognized Cassie
"The Punisher" said he participated in "freak-offs" about eight or 12 times.
Sharay Hayes testified that he ended up recognizing Cassie Ventura because he followed Sean Combs on Instagram.
Today, 17:30 By Carsen Holaday
Combs was 'naked and wearing face covering'
Sharay Hayes testified that during his first "freak-off," Sean Combs was naked, wearing a face covering that only showed his eyes, and holding a bottle of lubricant.
He said the session ended with Cassie Ventura going into another room with Combs.
She then came back and gave Hayes $1,200 more before he left.
Today, 17:24 By Carsen Holaday
'The Punisher' told not to look at Combs
Sharay Hayes testified that Cassie Ventura handed him $800 after she asked him to have sex with her in front of Sean Combs.
"She told me not to acknowledge her husband, not to look at him when he came out," Hayes testified.
Hayes said the room was "dimly lit" with candles and that the furtniture was covered in sheets.
He also said there were bottles of baby oil in bowls of water, and that Combs expected him and Cassie to be "glistening."
Today, 17:22 By Carsen Holaday
Hayes says Cassie was wearing a wig
Sharay Hayes testified that after he was called to perform for a group of friends in 2012, he was surprised to find only two people in the hotel room.
Hayes said Cassie was wearing a wig and a bathrobe with nothing underneath.
"I was expecting a crowd but there was no one else," he told the jury.
"She told me she and her husband wanted to create a sexual scene with baby oil."
Today, 17:19 By Carsen Holaday
Hayes recalls first encounter
"The Punisher" told the court he was first hired to create a "sexy erotic scene" in New York City in 2012.
Sharay Hayes said he was told to arrive at Trump International Hotel at midnight to perform a "striptease for a small group of friends."
He said when Cassie Ventura called him to set up the occasion, she told him her name was Janet and it was her birthday.
Today, 17:16 By Carsen Holaday
'The Punisher' takes the stand
Sharay Hayes, a former male exotic dancer with the stage name "The Punisher," is now taking the stand.
Last week, Cassie Ventura testified that Hayes was one of the male escorts that Sean Combs forced her to have sex with during a "freak-off."
Hayes, 51, worked as a dancer from 2012 to 2016.
He said he got the nickname "The Punisher" when he was a teenager playing basketball on West 4th Street.
Today, 17:11 By Carsen Holaday
Defense bows out
Sean Combs' defense team said they had no questions to ask Regina Ventura on cross-examination.
Regina testified about wiring $20,000 to Combs, as well as taking pictures of Cassie Ventura's injuries after Combs allegedly beat her.
'She was bruised, and I wanted to make sure that we memorialized it,' Regina said.