‘Excited' Diddy gave hotel guard $100k in brown paper bag to bury Cassie beating video in shadowy meeting at high rise

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SEAN "Diddy" Combs' trial continued with explosive testimony from an ex-hotel worker who disclosed the extreme lengths the music exec took to obtain the surveillance footage of Cassandra Ventura's attack.
Eddy Garcia, a former security guard at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, took the stand on Tuesday after invoking his 5th Amendment right not to self-incriminate.
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Garcia told jurors that Combs ' relentless pursuit to obtain the copy of the surveillance footage showing him attacking his ex-girlfriend Ventura began on the day of the incident on March 5, 2016.
The witness told prosecutors he first received a call from Combs' chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, asking him if it was possible to obtain a copy of the video.
Garcia testified that Combs himself later called him sounding "very nervous" and eventually, the music executive's team got a hold of his personal number when he refused to help them.
The former hotel worker said Combs told him the video could "ruin his career," and he said he would "take care" of him if he helped him, which Garcia understood as financially.
Garcia testified that his supervisor, Bill Madrano, told him he would be willing to give Combs the video for $50,000, which the Bad Boy Record executive agreed to, responding, "Let's do it."
"Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help," Garcia said an "excited and smiling" Combs told him after arriving at a meet-up point in Los Angeles, where he handed him a USB drive that contained the video.
Garcia testified that he signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and confirmed to Combs that the USB drive contained the only copy of the video.
The witness told jurors that Combs gave him $100,000 in cash in a brown paper bag after he signed the NDA.
Garcia said he split the money with Madrano and Henry Elias, another security guard that responded to the domestic violence incident at the time.
He testified he gave $50,000 to Madrano, $20,000 to Elias, and kept $30,000 for himself, which he later used to purchase a used car.
COURTROOM HECKLER
Day 15 of Combs federal trial got off to a rocky start after a supporter of the disgraced music executive was thrown out of the gallery for screaming a message to him in court.
The unidentified woman was immediately removed by court officers after she appeared to yell at Combs from the back of the courtroom, "Diddy, their coming after you, those motherf***ers."
Combs is facing five criminal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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).
2nd Jun 2025, 19:09 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
The court goes on a brief break
The judge has called for a break.
2nd Jun 2025, 19:07 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Defense returns to the time when Diddy 'slammed door' on ex-assistant's arm
Brian Steel, Combs' defense attorney, asked Mia about the time her boss allegedly slammed a door on her arm after she tried to retrieve her phone from him.
Steel asked the former assistant if she ever sought medical help for her injuries, which Mia said no because she would not have been allowed.
When asked if she ever took photos of her injuries, Mia again said no.
And when asked if she screamed during the incident, the ex-assistant said, "No. I was in shock."
2nd Jun 2025, 18:54 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
'I wanted to continue following my dreams,' Mia testified about moment she was fired from Combs' company
Defense attorney Steel returned to the messages Mia sent to Kristina Khorram, Combs' chief of staff, in December 2016 after learning Revolt Films was being shut down.
Revolt Films was a Combs-owned flm business where Mia worked as a director of development and acquisitions for his film business.
"My entire world was being ripped away from me immediately," the former assistant said on the stand on Monday.
"And even if in hindsight that would was awful, I didn't know it at the time."
Steel asked if she wanted to continue working for Combs at the time, despite the alleged abuse, Mia responded, "I wanted to continue following my dreams.
"I was finally making real stuff, and I had a separation from him."
2nd Jun 2025, 18:22 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Mia worked for Madonna after being fired by Combs
Combs' former assistant told the courtroom she worked for pop icon Madonna for eight months from April 2019.
Mia said her job with Madonna came after she was fired by Combs in 2018.
She denied that Combs had any involvement in her securing the job with Madonna.
2nd Jun 2025, 18:20 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Defense again accuses ex-assistant of seeking compensation
Defense attorney Brian Steel again honed in on the claim that the former assistant is seeking financial compensation from her testimony.
"You never mentioned sexual abuse until you hired a lawyer, Shawn Crowley?" Steel asked Mia.
The victim responded, "I have no idea when I first mentioned it, except that it was after I had representation."
Steel then scolded Mia, "You intend to sue Mr. Combs for compensation? You want money?" to which the victim denied.
2nd Jun 2025, 18:14 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
No cameras allowed in court
Sean Combs is being tried in the US Southern District Courthouse in Lower Manhattan - a federal prison that does not allow electronic devices inside its courthouse.
Therefore, no photographs from inside the courtroom are available.
Instead, court sketch drawings from the days proceedings are provided to the media and public.
Here are some sketches from the first half of today's hearing.
2nd Jun 2025, 18:07 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Ex-assistant did not mention sexual assault to prosecutors until June 2024
Defense attorney Brian Steel is grilling Mia as to why she did not mention the alleged sexual assaults to prosecutors until June 2024.
Before the lunch break, Steel accused the ex-assistant of only mentioning the rape allegations after Cassie Ventura's settlement with Sean Combs became public.
2nd Jun 2025, 18:05 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
The court is back from break
The jury has returned from its lunch break with Combs' former assistant back on the stand under cross-examination.
The victim is being identified under the pseudonym Mia.
2nd Jun 2025, 17:16 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Court has recessed for lunch
The courtroom has been dismissed for lunch.
The jury will return at 12:50 pm.
2nd Jun 2025, 17:11 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Defense accuses former assistant of joining the 'MeToo money grab' against Diddy
Brian Steel, Combs' defense attorney, accused Mia of joining the "MeToo money grab" against his client.
"You knew Ms. Ventura received money from her lawsuit against Mr. Combs," Steel asked the former assistant, who acknowledged the settlement was public.
2nd Jun 2025, 17:09 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
'I was never outside his grip,' Mia testifies about Diddy
The former assistant told the court how she had to be in communication with Sean Combs "24/7."
"I was never outside his grip," Mia said.
When asked by defense attorney Brian Steel why outside work she never explained to the abuse she was experiencing, Mia responded that it was "more complicated than that."
2nd Jun 2025, 17:01 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Ex-assistant sent Diddy birthday wishes in 2023
The jury saw a message Mia sent to Combs for his birthday in 2023.
The message included a photo of the two, which was from Combs' birthday in 2014, Mia testified.
However, the former assistant told jurors she did not remember sending the message.
2nd Jun 2025, 16:52 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Mia wanted to "die" with the secret of her alleged sexual abuse
Mia testified that she spoke with Cassie Ventura after she filed her November 2023 lawsuit against Combs.
However, the former assistant said she did not tell Ventura about the alleged sexual assault from Combs.
"I was still deeply and shamed and wanted to die with this," Mia told jurors.
2nd Jun 2025, 16:39 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Diddy put tracking device on Cassie's car
Combs' former witness, who is being referred to in court as Mia, testified that he put a tracking device on Cassie Ventura's vehicle.
"He had stolen my phone, and Cassie' phone, many times," Mia said referring to Combs.
"He's put tracking devices on her car."
2nd Jun 2025, 16:36 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Judge warns defense attorney Brian Steel of repetitive questions
Judge Subramanian told Brian Steel, the defense attorney conducting Mia's cross-examination, he has noticed he is repeating the same question.
"Here's the issue: There are lines of questioning. If you had asked one question and moved on that would be one thing, but you are often repeating the same thing multiple times," the judge told Steel after prosecutors claimed the defense attorney was harassing the witness.
"I agree with Ms. [Maureen] Comey where the tone is improper."
2nd Jun 2025, 16:27 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Prosecutors accuse defense of harassing the witness
Before the court returned from its brief break, leader prosecutor Maureen Comey accused Combs' defense attorney Brian Steel of harassing Mia.
Comey claimed Steel forced the former assistant to endure a "humiliating cross-examination" where the defense attorney was "sarcastic" and insulting her.
"we are crossing the threshold into prejudice and into harassing the witness," Comey told the judge.
"Our concern is if this victim is not protected from further harassment, it will deter other victims in other cases from testifying and telling the truth."
However, Judge Arun Subramanian did not agree with Comey's claims.
"I have not heard any yelling or heard anything sarcastic," the judge said.
2nd Jun 2025, 16:21 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Mia considers Cassie Ventura as a "sister"
When asked about her relationship with Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, Mia agreed that she considers the singer like a sister.
"You loved her?" defense attorney Brian Steel asked the former assistant, who agreed with the question.
Steel then asked Mia if she would never lie to Ventura, to which she responded, "Puff didn't allow me to tell her things, like where he was, anything he said."
2nd Jun 2025, 16:17 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Former assistant back on the stand as court returns
Mia, who is testifying under a pseudonym, has returned to the stand after the court took a brief break.
By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Jury shown Mia's happy birthday clip to Diddy
Jurors were shown Mia's happy birthday video to Diddy from 2013.
In the video, Mia is seen seated at a desk and said she's "blessed" to call Combs her friend.
"Puff Daddy, the living legend himself," the former assistant said in the video.
"You have not only revolutionized the game, but the entire world. I am so blessed to call you my friend.
"Thank you for truly being one of the biggest inspirations in my life. To another 44 years of brilliance. Let's f**k s**t up. I love you, happy birthday. Revolt," Mia said as she ends the video by blowing a kiss to the camera.
2nd Jun 2025, 15:41 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Defense admits video of Mia wishing Diddy a happy birthday
Judge Arun Subramanian has allowed the defense to admit a last-minute video evidence of Mia wishing Combs a happy birthday in 2013.
The court went on a brief break.
2nd Jun 2025, 15:27 By Israel Salas-Rodriguez
Diddy auditioned for James Brown film, Get On Up
Mia testified that Combs auditioned for the role of James Brown in the 2014 film Get On Up.
The film chronicles Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
Late Chadwick Boseman starred as Brown in the movie.
The former assistant said she carried around a video camera at Combs' request.
When asked by Steel if she had any footage of Combs berating her, Mia said, "I would not have been allowed to record that."