Latest news with #ArunSubramanian
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Diddy's ex-assistant and alleged victim testifies under fake name in rapper's sex trafficking trial
incoming update… Judge Arun Subramanian has allowed Sean 'Diddy' Combs to wear 'non-prison' clothes for his trial. The rapper was permitted five button down shirts, up to five pairs of pants, up to five sweaters, up to five pairs of socks, and up to two pairs of shoes without laces. On the first day of testimony in the case, Diddy wore a khaki sweater over a white shirt with khaki pants. "That change may seem minor, but it actually matters quite a bit,' criminal defense attorney Duncan Levin explained to Fox News Digital. 'The optics of a defendant's appearance can have a subtle but powerful effect on jurors. If he were forced to wear jail-issued clothing, it could create an unconscious presumption of guilt — even though jurors are instructed not to let that factor in. Allowing him to appear in normal clothing helps level the playing field and reinforces the presumption of innocence.' 'Especially in a case like this, where celebrity, image, and public perception are already playing such an outsized role, letting him look like a free man rather than a prisoner helps ensure the jury is focused on the evidence, not the wardrobe,' the lawyer, who worked on Harvey Weinstein's defense, said. Entertainment attorney Tre Lovell added: "Perception is very important. Based on the egregious allegations against Diddy, he needs to be presented in the exact opposite. The way he dresses, the way he conducts himself and the way he acts towards court, the participants and the jury is all extremely important. The prosecution is going to paint a very ugly picture of a violent rapist, and the jury needs to see a vision of someone that is kind and professional." Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial began with jury selection on May 5 and could last up to two months. During a hearing prior to the trial, the prosecution claimed they expect their case to take six weeks to argue, while Combs' legal team estimated they would need two weeks to complete their defense. However, on Tuesday, the government told the judge they believe their case will take closer to five weeks instead of six. Combs is accused of running a criminal enterprise through his various businesses. He used "firearms, threats of violence, coercion and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" to fulfill his sexual desires, according to the unsealed indictment obtained by Fox News Digital. According to court documents, Combs would force his victims to participate in what he called 'freak offs.' "Freak Offs were elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded," authorities stated. The indictment alleges the rapper was known to provide IV fluids to his victims following "freak offs" to recover from physical exertion and drug use. Diddy has denied the allegations against him. Live Coverage begins here
NBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Former Danity Kane member takes stand in Combs trial; testifies she witnessed brutal attack against Cassie Ventura
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian had harsh words for the defense on Thursday over what he perceived as a prolonged cross-examination of key witness Cassie Ventura. The judge was particularly agitated about the possibility that the defense might not conclude their questioning of the eight-months pregnant Ventura before week's end. This will certainly be an issue during Ventura's testimony today, as it may be difficult for the defense to complete their cross, the prosecution to complete their redirect, and the defense to complete any re-cross, all in one day. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees each criminal defendant the right 'to be confronted with the witnesses against him.' 'A district court should afford wide latitude to a defendant in a criminal case to cross-examine government witnesses…' At the same time, the 'Confrontation Clause [does not] prevent a trial judge from imposing any limits on defense counsel's inquiry in cross-examining a prosecution witness.' Show more
NDTV
15-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Arun Subramanian: The Indian-Origin Judge Overseeing Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Trial
US District Judge Arun Subramanian on Monday began presiding over the high-stakes federal trial of rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs in New York. Combs is facing serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The trial, expected to last eight weeks, could lead to life imprisonment for Combs upon conviction. Indian-origin Judge Subramanian, appointed by former President Joe Biden in 2022, also oversaw the jury selection process. Who Is Arun Subramanian? Arun Srinivas Subramanian was born in 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Indian parents who migrated to the US. His father was a control systems engineer, and his mother worked as a bookkeeper. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Case Western Reserve University and obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) from Columbia Law School in 2004. Arun Subramanian began his legal career by clerking for Judge Dennis Jacobs at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He then served as a law clerk for Judge Gerard E. Lynch at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. He later went on to clerk for US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mr Subramanian joined the law firm Susman Godfrey LLP in New York in 2007. He became a partner and worked there until 2023. Over the course of his career, he helped recover more than $1 billion for clients, including public and private entities defrauded or harmed by illegal practices. He also represented victims of child pornography trafficking and took on consumer rights cases. Mr Subramanian has contributed significantly to the legal community through pro bono service. He served for years on the pro bono panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and has taken on numerous public interest cases. Arun Subramanian was recommended for a federal judgeship by Senator Chuck Schumer. Former President Biden nominated him in 2022, and after clearing Senate procedures, he received his judicial commission in 2023. He holds the distinction of being the first South Asian judge appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
News18
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Who is Arun Subramanian, The Indian-Origin Judge In Sean ‘Diddy' Combs Trial?
Last Updated: The Indian-origin judge, Arun Subramanian, is conducting the trial of famous rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs in connection with a sex trafficking case. An Indian-origin judge, Arun Subramanian, is overseeing the federal trial of American hip-hop mogul, Sean 'Diddy" Combs as witnesses in the sex trafficking case began testifying this week at a district court in New York. The rapper is facing dozens of civil lawsuits from people who accuse him of abusing his power to drug, assault, rape, intimidate and silence people. The charges against Combs include exploitation using his fame and money. He is also charged with coercing women into abusive sex parties. However, the rapper has rejected all allegations and called them attempts 'for a quick payday". The case was assigned to Subramanian after Judge Andrew L Carter Jr removed himself from the case. Who Is Arun Subramanian, The Indian-Origin Judge? The Indian-origin judge, Arun Subramanian, is conducting the trial of famous rapper Sean 'Diddy" Combs in connection with a sex trafficking case. He was born in Pittsburgh in 1979 to parents who had migrated from India. Subramanian was appointed a federal judge by former President Joe Biden in 2022 and is the first South Asian to serve on this bench. He has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and English from Case Western Reserve University. After this, he received a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, where he was recognised as both a James Kent and Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He then spent over 15 years as a partner at Susman Godfrey LLC in New York City, specialising in commercial and bankruptcy law. First Published: May 15, 2025, 11:39 IST
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Arun Subramanian? All about Indian-origin judge in Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial
Witnesses in the sex trafficking case of American rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs began testifying this week at a district court in New York, in the courtroom of US district judge Arun Subramanian. The star witness in the case is Combs' ex-girlfriend and singer Cassie, who accused 'Diddy' of physical assault and control over every aspect of her life. She also accused the rapper of giving her drugs and forcing multiple sexual partners on her, whom she termed as 'freak offs.' Also read | Everything we know about rapper Diddy's sex trafficking trial: From charges to key witnesses Charges against Combs include running an empire of exploitation using his fame and money. He also coerced women into abusive sex parties and silenced them with blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and beatings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said Combs was assisted by an inner circle of bodyguards and high-ranking employees who helped the rapper commit crimes and cover them up. The trial is being conducted at the courtroom of US district judge Arun Subramanian, who was appointed a federal judge by former President Joe Biden in 2022. Subramanian is the first South Asian to serve on this bench. The then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Arun Subramanian by highlighting his immigrant background and dedication to advocating for people, especially in a district with a significant South Asian-American community. Also read | Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former girlfriend said fighting back made hip-hop mogul more violent Born in Pittsburgh in 1979 to Indian immigrant parents, Arun Subramanian earned his BA in Computer Science and English from Case Western Reserve University before obtaining his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, where he was recognised as a James Kent and Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and served as Executive Articles Editor for the Columbia Law Review. Subramanian began his legal career as a judicial clerk for Judge Dennis Jacobs on the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He subsequently worked with Judge Gerard E. Lynch in the Southern District of New York and also clerked for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Also read | A closer look at the jurors in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial From 2007 to 2023, he was a partner at the prominent law firm Susman Godfrey LLP in New York City, specialising in commercial and insolvency law. According to the firm's official website, the attorney of Indian origin has successfully recovered over a billion dollars on behalf of public and private entities that were victims of fraud and other unlawful conduct. His legal career has been devoted to advocating for public entities in False Claims Act cases, victims of child pornography trafficking, consumers, and individuals harmed by unfair practices.
