Usher, Obama name-dropped in Diddy's trial as sex trafficking case heats up
As week 3 of Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking and racketeering trial begins, multiple celebrities have already been name-dropped during testimony.
Usher, former President Barack Obama, Biggie Smalls and Jennifer Lopez are a few A-list names that came up during testimony as Diddy's jury heard from his former assistants, ex-associates and his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Diddy's trial began May 5 with jury selection. Opening statements were presented on May 12, and the disgraced music mogul appeared in court to sit through testimony from Cassie, her mother, former Homeland Security Investigations agents, plus singers Dawn Richard and Kid Cudi.
Diddy Trial Witness Reveals Threats And Violence That Could Support Rico Charges: Expert
Here's a look at all the celebrities mentioned so far.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant, David James, testified on May 20 that the rapper typically carried "25 to 30" undisclosed pill bottles. According to James, some of the pills were ecstasy.
Read On The Fox News App
"Can you describe the ecstasy that you saw him taking?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik asked.
"There were various pills, but there was one that was in the shape of a former president's face," James explained.
"Which former president?" the prosecutor questioned.
"President Obama," James answered.
Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard testified that Usher was at a dinner where Sean "Diddy" Combs allegedly punched Cassie Ventura in the stomach.
"We were having a private conversation, and we were all sitting, eating at the tables together," Richard recalled during her testimony. "When I say we, I mean some Bad Boy, some of our other label, and even some celebrities were in the room. And they were secretly arguing, and he punched her in the stomach. Sean Combs punched her in the stomach."
"She immediately bent over and then was – he was – he told her to leave because I could see him point out, and she went out and left the room," she added.
Richard claimed music executive Harve Pierre, two of Diddy's assistants, the rapper's security and Kaleena Harper were present for the West Hollywood dinner. During cross-examination, it was revealed that Richard hadn't mentioned all of the celebrities at the dinner.
"Usher was there, Jimmy Iovine was there, Ne-Yo came through," Richard eventually added. "There were a few others, too. I don't recall those people, but those are the ones I remember talking to."
Cassie Ventura Emerges As 'Star Witness' In Diddy's Federal Sex Crimes Trial: Expert
Kid Cudi was first mentioned in Cassie Ventura's testimony on May 14, when she said Sean "Diddy" Combs had allegedly gone through her phone at a "freak off" and found an email correspondence between her and the rapper.
Cassie and Cudi, whose full name is Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, dated in 2011 when she was on a break in her relationship with Diddy.
Cudi took the stand May 22 and testified about an alleged break-in that occurred at his home the day Diddy found out the "Pursuit of Happiness" singer was dating Cassie Ventura. According to Cudi, his car was set on fire a month later.
"I reached out to Sean Combs after my car had caught fire and … finally told him that we needed to meet up to talk," Cudi testified. "He had been wanting to talk to me. So, after the fire, I was like, 'This is getting out of hand/ I need to talk to him.'"
"Why was it Mr. Combs you reached out to after the fire?" Cudi was asked in court.
"Because I knew he had something to do with it," Cudi claimed before Judge Arun Subramanian sustained an objection from Diddy's defense. The jury was then instructed to disregard the musician's last answer.
Diddy was never charged in the investigation into the alleged break-in or car fire.
Biggie Smalls, or Christopher George Latore Wallace, has been mentioned a few times in Diddy's sex trafficking trial. Biggie was killed in a drive-by shooting at age 24 in 1997.
During the testimony of Diddy's former assistant, George Kaplan, it was revealed that the music mogul used the name "Frank Black" when booking his hotel reservations.
James also revealed that Diddy used the name "Frank Black" when booking his hotel reservations.
"I think it was a reference to Biggie," Kaplan told the jury before adding, "I think that [Biggie's] nickname was Frank White."
Kaplan also testified that May 21 was a paid holiday for employees at Combs Enterprises because it was Biggie's birthday.
Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard testified in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial.
Richard told the jury Diddy threatened her to remain quiet about the alleged abuse of his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Richard told the court that one day after an alleged altercation in which she "observed Cassie being attacked," the "Missing You" rapper told her it was par for the course in a normal relationship.
Diddy and Richard were in the recording studio when he allegedly said that what was witnessed the day before was "passion" and what people in relationships do. He claimed Cassie was OK and that it was best if they didn't say anything.
The rapper allegedly said that where he's from, people go missing. She testified that she heard his words to mean that people end up dead.
Diddy Sunk $35 Million Into Miami Mansion, But Star Island Digs May Not Be Safe If He's Convicted: Expert
Cassie Ventura's former makeup artist testified she also worked for Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez. Mylah Morales claimed she worked for Sean "Diddy" Combs from 2000 until 2005.
"After you stopped working for Mr. Combs, who is the next artist that you worked with?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey asked in court Thursday.
According to Morales, she worked with Rihanna for 13 years along with Jennifer Lopez.
"Are there others that you're not remembering right now?" Comey asked.
"Yeah, there's so many," Morales responded. "It's like a long list of names."
At one point, Sean "Diddy" Combs suspected Cassie was in a relationship with actor Michael B. Jordan.
Cassie testified that she broke up with Diddy in 2015 while in South Africa for a movie. She told Diddy's defense lawyer during cross-examination that someone had reached out to her about being at an event, but Cassie wasn't actually there. She testified that she eventually learned Combs was at the event with Gina, another woman he had been seeing. Cassie admitted to being angry because she thought Gina was no longer in the picture.
Cassie explained she cut off contact with Combs, blocked him and focused on the movie.
Diddy began to suspect she was in a relationship with Jordan, but Cassie testified she didn't remember his reaction.
On May 19, Cassie's former friend, Kerry Morgan, testified to the singer's connection with Jordan.
Morgan testified that she did not know much, just that they were speaking at the time. She emphasized that Cassie was not with Diddy at this time, but the rapper was allegedly jealous.
Cassie's Mother's Testimony May Prove To Be 'Very Damaging' To Diddy's Case: Expert
David James, Sean "Diddy" Combs' former personal assistant, testified about a run-in with Suge Knight during his testimony Tuesday. James recalled driving with Diddy's security guard to Mel's Diner to get food after a late night at the studio when they ran into the Death Row Records chair. The two allegedly left after four black SUVs pulled into the parking lot and someone gave Knight a gun.
James said he drove D-Roc, Diddy's security guard, and the rapper back to the diner, per Diddy's request. Combs was allegedly in the back seat with three handguns in his lap. However, they did not see Knight at the diner and Combs allegedly told James to drive around the block.
The former personal assistant testified he was "really shook up by it" and that it was the first time working for Diddy where he thought his life was in danger. They went back to New York and James gave his six months notice.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team revealed during testimony on May 15 that the rapper brought Britney Spears to Cassie Ventura's 21st birthday party.
Diddy's defense lawyer, Anna Estevao, took Cassie back to the beginning of the former couple's relationship during her cross-examination. At Cassie's 21st birthday party, Combs brought Dallas Austin and Britney Spears. Cassie and Diddy had seemingly just begun seeing each other romantically.
Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News
Cassie's former makeup artist testified that she first saw injuries on the singer's face in 2010 during Grammys weekend.
Mylah Morales told the jury she saw Cassie had injuries to her face after an alleged physical altercation between the singer and Sean "Diddy" Combs. She claimed there had been a party at Prince's home. Morales claimed she noticed the injury late at night or early in the morning.
Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter
Bruce Willis was brought up during Cassie's testimony in Diddy's trial. Cassie told Diddy she was "at the edge of tears" in an emotional text exchange shown in court about his private family life.
Cassie wrote, "As much as you think you're Bruce Willis, you aren't. He's married and before he was married, the family as a whole went on trips together, or just with him and his woman. Eddie Murphy and Paige took his kids away on their own."
"He didn't go with his ex because that's not who he's in love with. I've been at the edge of tears this whole week. I don't think that you sympathize with my feelings."
Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.Original article source: Usher, Obama name-dropped in Diddy's trial as sex trafficking case heats up
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
26 minutes ago
- CNN
Federal agents block LA protest suspect with vehicles
Federal agents block LA protest suspect with vehicles Video shows the moment federal officers took a man into custody they say is wanted on suspicion of assaulting a border patrol agent at an anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles. The agents boxed in the suspect's vehicle at an intersection in the Boyle Heights neighborhood while his partner and toddler were inside. The man's partner said he was at a protest in Paramount over the weekend and there was a warrant out for his arrest after a confrontation with authorities. A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security indicated that the incident was not a hit-and-run, but rather, a 'targeted arrest of a violent rioter who punched a CBP officer.' 00:44 - Source: CNN "Jane' testifies for fifth day in Combs trial 'Jane" continued cross-examination in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial for her fifth day. Prosecutors expect to rest their case at some point next week. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister reports. 02:18 - Source: CNN Trump says why his second term is different from the first In an interview with The New York Post's Pod Force One, President Trump explained why he "can be stronger on an attack on Los Angeles" in his second term compared to his first. Trump also said he told Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, he planned to deploy National Guard troops before doing so. 01:09 - Source: CNN China's 'trump' card in the US trade war The US and China have agreed on a plan to roll out their trade truce after days of negotiations in London. CNN's Phil Mattingly explained what brought both sides to the table, and where the relationship goes from here. 02:00 - Source: CNN Construction begins on Trump's changes to White House Rose Garden Construction on President Trump's redesign of the historic White House Rose Garden is underway. Trump says he's replacing part of the grass with a patio 00:48 - Source: CNN Roads in DC being prepared for military parade Ahead of the June 14 military parade, crews were working late to prepare the roads in Washington, DC. The event is expected to showcase some seven million pounds of military equipment including tanks, artillery, and nearly 7000 soldiers and will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US army. 00:30 - Source: CNN LAPD pull CNN crew through police line as they disperse protesters Tensions were high in downtown Los Angeles, as authorities tried to quell a fifth day of anti-ICE protests. CNN Senior Investigative Correspondent Kyung Lah was reporting on the ground. 01:32 - Source: CNN Curfew goes into effect in downtown LA A curfew is now in effect in parts of downtown Los Angeles, covering an area of roughly one square mile. A law enforcement source familiar with the situation told CNN fewer than 100,000 of the city's 4 million residents will be affected. CNN's Nick Watt reports. 00:32 - Source: CNN Newsom blames Trump for escalating violence in LA 01:17 - Source: CNN Hegseth defends Trump sending federal military to protests in LA During a subcommittee hearing, Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar of California pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about President Donald Trump's decision to mobilize the National Guard and deploy Marines to help quell protests in Los Angeles. 01:56 - Source: CNN Car plows through protesters in Chicago CNN law enforcement correspondent Whitney Wild reports that a car was seen driving through an ICE demonstration near Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago. The car appears to push a few sign holders before continuing through the protest and speeding away. 00:31 - Source: CNN Scenes from New York City amid ICE protests New York police have started detaining protesters after warning that the anti-ICE marchers should stay on the side walk. CNN has reached out the NYPD for more information. Shimon Prokupecz describes what he sees on the streets of New York City. 00:56 - Source: CNN Combs requests mistrial for a second time CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister explains that Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team requested a mistrial for a second time, which was denied. Combs' team accused the prosecution of presenting false testimony from Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura's, who testified that Combs dangled her over a balcony. 01:26 - Source: CNN Analysis: Is Netanyahu's government under threat? Among an ongoing corruption trial, protests against his leadership and an upcoming vote to dissolve the government, CNN's Oren Liebermann looks at the growing pressure on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 01:59 - Source: CNN Tanks arrive in DC ahead of US Army parade As the 250th anniversary celebration for the US Army approaches, a freight train of tanks was seen making its way into the nation's capital. The long-planned celebration in Washington will coincide with Trump's 79th birthday and include thousands of troops. The Army had said it has no plans to recognize the president's birthday. 00:40 - Source: CNN Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe shot in Bogota A Colombian senator and presidential hopeful is in a critical condition after being shot twice at an event in Bogota, according to national police and prosecutors. Police arrested a 15-year-old carrying a Glock pistol, according to the Attorney General's Office. Miguel Uribe expressed intentions to run in the 2026 presidential election for the country's largest opposition party, the center-right Centro Democrático, or Democratic Center. 01:05 - Source: CNN Immigration protests break out in Los Angeles President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to disperse the protests that began in the Los Angeles area in response to immigration raids. Law enforcement authorities and demonstrators have clashed for two days. CNN's Julia Vargas Jones reports. 01:34 - Source: CNN Coco Gauff reacts to winning the French Open Coco Gauff claimed her second career grand slam singles title, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open women's final. 00:46 - Source: CNN Protesters confront authorities following ICE raids in Los Angeles Federal immigration operations in Los Angeles were met by protests. ICE declined to discuss the details of its operations. 00:43 - Source: CNN Attorney for mistakenly deported man talks to Erin Burnett CNN's Erin Burnett talks with Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, attorney for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, who has been returned to the United States to face federal criminal charges. 02:37 - Source: CNN
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rogan claims 2 former presidents called Spotify over his controversial COVID commentary
Podcaster Joe Rogan claimed Tuesday that two unnamed former presidents were involved in the protest against his skeptical discussions about COVID-19. Spotify received backlash in 2022 for allowing Rogan, one of its biggest stars, to spread what progressive critics claimed was COVID misinformation. Musician Neil Young famously removed his content from Spotify in protest over Rogan's rhetoric, saying he no longer wanted to share a platform with him. "And then all of a sudden, I hear that Neil Young wants me removed from Spotify. I was like, 'What the f--- is going on? This is crazy,'" Rogan said Tuesday. "Spotify got calls from two former presidents," he added. Rogan Slams Cnn For 'Force-feeding Me Morons' Instead Of Delivering News Then-Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki commented on the controversy directly. After Spotify announced it would flag podcasts that cover COVID-19, Psaki responded, "So this disclaimer, it's a positive step, but we want every platform to continue doing more to call out misinformation while also uplifting accurate information." Read On The Fox News App "Our hope is that all major tech platforms — and all major news sources for that matter — be responsible and be vigilant to ensure the American people have access to accurate information on something as significant as COVID-19," she added. But Rogan said that instead of being censored or deplatformed, "I grew by 2 million subscribers in a month." "People started listening," he said, despite how his critics attacked his reputation. "And they started listening, like, 'Oh, he's really reasonable and pretty humble about all this stuff and just asking questions.'" Rogan also condemned how media outlets attacked his use of Ivermectin to treat his COVID-19 by referring to it as a horse dewormer. "I'm, like, 'Why aren't you guys concentrating on the fact that a 55-year-old man is fine three days later during the worst strain?' It was during the Delta where everybody's freaking out. 'This one's going to kill us all.' And I was fine in three days," he said. Rogan described the whole experience as a "wake-up call" that opened his eyes about the liberal legacy media. "It's so dirty. It's such a dirty business," Rogan said. "God, I used to have massive respect for journalists. If I had never done this podcast, I would be your regular schmo out there with, you know, just spitting out all the company lines and all the blast all over the news." "I kind of liked it better then," he said with a laugh. "I didn't think the world is filled with demons, money-hungry demons that are willing to sacrifice human lives in the pursuit of revenue." Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek addressed the pushback against hosting Rogan during the company's earnings call in February 2022. "I think the important part here is that we don't change our policies based on one creator, nor do we change it based on any media cycle," the chief executive said at the time. "Our policies have been carefully written with the input from numbers of internal and external experts in this space – and I do believe they're right for our platform." Fox News Digital reached out to Spotify for comment and did not receive an immediate article source: Rogan claims 2 former presidents called Spotify over his controversial COVID commentary
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Los Angeles DA delivers scathing warning to violent protesters causing havoc: 'We're coming for you'
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman sent a strong warning Wednesday to those behind the recent riot violence: "We will track you down. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you. And we will punish you." Standing with LA Sheriff Robert Luna and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Hochman announced felony charges against several rioters accused of attacking officers, looting stores and vandalizing public property. More arrests and charges are expected in the coming days. "Let me provide some bad news for you," Hochman said. "There's a tremendous amount of video out there through social media, and otherwise we will know who you are, who engaged in this conduct. … So, for people who've already engaged in this, in this illegal activity, we're coming for you." Ice Ramps Up Arrests Of Convicted Criminals As Riots Rage In Blue City: 'You Will Not Stop Us' Five criminal cases were detailed during the press conference. Juan Rodriguez of Gardena is accused of handing out and throwing commercial-grade fireworks at LAPD officers, injuring one. He faces over six years in prison. Randy Paul Ruiz and Georgina Rava-Yero allegedly drove motorcycles into a police line, injuring officers. Both face felony charges and over six years in prison. In a separate case, Timmy Paulk and Rayven Mitchell were charged with allegedly looting a Nike store downtown. They face up to three years in prison. Read On The Fox News App Senator Launches Investigation Into Democratic Org Over Potential Support For La Rioters Ulysses Sanchez, a three-strike felon, was charged with assault and gun possession after allegedly recklessly driving through downtown and injuring bystanders. He could face 25 years to life. Christopher Gonzalez and Yoselin Johnson were charged with felony vandalism after allegedly painting graffiti on the Hall of Justice. Deputies say they found paint buckets and a large roller pole in their car. "These are not protesters," said Sheriff Luna. "There's a big distinction between individuals that protest and demonstrate to violent, destructive, basically anarchist. ... What we're talking about are the individuals who don't care about the issue at hand." Luna praised the district attorney for taking fast action, assigning a special prosecutor to focus on crimes against law enforcement. He also noted help from federal agencies, with some suspects possibly facing federal charges. Chief McDonnell revealed some of the dangers officers have faced in recent days. He said officers have been targeted with fireworks, Molotov cocktails and even mortars. "This is no longer a protest when commercial-grade fireworks are being used as weapons, and our officers are under direct attack," he said. "That's not free speech. That's a felony. "We will facilitate all peaceful First Amendment activity," said Sheriff Luna. "But when you have people that are out here to commit acts of violence, against our deputy sheriffs or police officers or, just, they're destroying our city. We're going to stop it."Original article source: Los Angeles DA delivers scathing warning to violent protesters causing havoc: 'We're coming for you'
