Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged Cassie abuse exposed after her mother testifies
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged Cassie abuse exposed after her mother testifies
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged abuse of former girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine continues to be exposed in court as additional witnesses testify on the pair's volatile relationship.
The embattled hip-hop mogul's sweeping federal sex-crimes trial resumed in Manhattan on May 21 following emotional testimony from Ventura Fine's mother, Regina Ventura, and Combs' former assistant David James, who worked for Combs from 2007-2009.
Ventura told the court she was "physically sick" over the rapper's alleged abuse and said she was once pressured to send him $20,000 after he raged at her daughter. Meanwhile, James recounted an intense incident during which he reportedly came face-to-face with Combs' longtime music rival, Marion "Suge" Knight, at a Los Angeles restaurant.
Scott Mescudi, better known as rapper Kid Cudi, is expected to take the stand this week. Combs allegedly threatened the musician after he and Ventura Fine dated briefly over a decade ago.
Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges.
Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry.
He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity.
Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors claim they have video of.
The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings.
USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.
Contributing: USA TODAY staff
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
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