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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy trial week 4 recap: Claims of physical abuse, bribery and coercion
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal sex trafficking trial wrapped its fourth week on Friday with even more bombshell claims about the embattled music mogul, including that he dangled a woman off a 17th-floor balcony and coerced another into participating in sex parties. Combs, 55, has been behind bars at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in September. He's accused of creating a drug-fueled empire of sexual abuse and violence that went unchecked for years, thanks to his fame, influence and a well-paid network tasked with covering up his alleged crimes. Now four weeks in, the legal proceedings have included testimony from his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, fellow rapper Kid Cudi, and former staffers and flings — including one woman who claimed she was forced for years to participate in Diddy's infamous 'freak-offs.' Here's a recap of what happened during the fourth week of trial: Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Ventura who goes by the nickname 'Bana,' recalled for the court a 2016 incident when Diddy allegedly dangled her over a balcony at Ventura's high-rise apartment in Los Angeles. The women had been hanging out when the rapper burst through the door and Bongolan fled to the balcony, she said. She described how Diddy approached her from behind, grabbed her from beneath her armpits and held her over the ledge, 17 stories from the ground. After nearly 20 seconds over the rail, she was then hurled into balcony furniture. 'You know what the f–k you did,' she recalled Combs saying. But to this day, she said she still doesn't know why the rapper flew into a rage. The encounter left her with several injuries, which she photographed the next day. The images were presented to the jury and showed Bongolan severely bruised with bandages on her arms and back. Prosecutors also provided jurors with a text, allegedly sent by Ventura to Combs' former staffer Kristina Khorram following the incident. She wrote that Combs 'went at Bana, choked her, dangled her feet off the balcony. This is crazy. I have to get away.' Combs has denied these allegations. Security guard Eddy Garcia testified that Combs offered him $100,000 to hide surveillance video that shows him violently beating Ventura in a hotel hallway back in 2016. The clip — leaked in part by CNN last year and played in full for the jury toward the beginning of the trial — shows the rapper, clad in just a towel around his waist, chasing Ventura down the hallway, grabbing her by the neck and throwing her to floor. The video shows him kicking her as she lies motionless on the ground, before eventually taking hold of her sweatshirt and dragging her back toward their room. Ventura previously testified the beating took place when she attempted to sneak out of hotel after Combs punched her in the face during one of his freak-offs. Garcia, then 24 years old, said he began his shift hours after the 'domestic dispute' erupted, but eventually fielded a phone call from Khorram, who asked him about any security footage. 'Off the record, it's bad,' he recalled telling her. Diddy later allegedly told the security guard he had too much to drink and 'if this got out, it would ruin him,' Garcia said. During emotional testimony spanning several days, a woman using the pseudonym 'Jane' recalled the debilitating pressure she felt to participate in Diddy's freak-offs, and how the marathon sex sessions turned their relationship into something she feared. She said she met Combs in November 2020 and fell 'head over heels' shortly after they started dating two months later. As a couple, they enjoyed elaborate outings and frequent trips, which often involved drugs that made her feel 'relaxed, euphoric, sexual,' she said. Prior to that, she'd only taken drugs twice before. Jane told jurors things started to change after Diddy suggested she have sex with a male escort in front of him. Despite feeling uncomfortable with the idea, she said she agreed not realizing he was being serious — until he informed her shortly later 'there's somebody coming.' That first freak-off opened 'a Pandora's box in the relationship,' Jane said, telling the court she had no idea at the time it would become a frequent event. Much like Ventura, she testified that subsequent encounters involved her being plied with drugs to keep her awake and recorded without her consent. Jane said she went along with the freak-offs for a while, attempting to gain some control by choosing which escorts she slept with. By September 2023, she admitted to Diddy in a lengthy text that the 'dark' encounters made her feel 'disgusted' with herself, but she was afraid to 'lose the roof over my head.' Jane, a young single mom, cried throughout her testimony. She said she felt 'obligated to perform' in the freak-offs, partly because she believed Diddy loved her and partly because he often threatened to cut her off if she didn't do what he said. At the time, Diddy had been paying her rent. Jane remained with the rapper up until his arrest. Judge Arun Subramanian on Friday once again warned Diddy about interacting with and trying to influence the jury, threatening to give him the boot if he continued to ignore the directive. 'I saw your client looking at the jury and nodding vigorously,' said the judge, who called Diddy's behavior 'absolutely unacceptable.' 'If it happens again, if it happens even once, I will hear an application from the government to give a curative instruction to the jury, which you do not want,' Subramanian continued. 'Or I will consider taking further measures, which could result in the exclusion of your client from the courtroom.' Combs' lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, assured the judge it would not happen again. The scolding came after Combs seemingly nodded at jurors during Bongolan's testimony about the balcony incident. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I'm a Freelancer: Here's Why I Prefer To Get Paid in Crypto
The freelance economy has undergone a seismic shift in recent years, with cryptocurrencies emerging as a preferred payment method for many independent workers. Check Out: Try This: As traditional financial systems grapple with high fees, slow processing times and currency volatility, freelancers like Atikh Bana, co-founder of Acctual, are turning to crypto to streamline their workflows and protect their earnings. For freelancers in emerging markets, traditional banking systems often impose burdensome costs. Bana noted that transaction fees in some regions range from 5% to 10%, significantly eroding profits for small-scale freelancers. 'On top of that, I had to deal with unfavorable exchange rates, which further reduced my earnings,' he added. These fees compound with volatile local currencies, which can depreciate rapidly during the multi-day processing periods of international transfers. Cryptocurrencies, particularly stablecoins pegged to the U.S. dollar, bypass these challenges by eliminating intermediary banks. The inefficiencies of conventional systems are stark. According to the International Monetary Fund, the average cost of sending $200 internationally exceeds 6%, with some corridors facing fees above 30%. Crypto transactions, by contrast, settle within minutes for a fraction of the cost. Check Out: 'One of the biggest benefits I experienced with crypto was how fast I received my money,' Bana explained. Traditional banking systems typically take up to five days — sometimes longer — to process international transactions, causing cash flow issues for freelancers that rely on timely payments. For many freelancers, waiting days for a payment to clear can be frustrating and stressful. But stablecoins let freelancers skip that processing time. With crypto, freelancers can get paid almost instantly, which gives them better ability to plan financially. This speed is especially helpful when working with international clients who expect quick turnarounds. Freelancers often work with clients in different countries, and traditional payments can be a hassle. Bana explained the flexibility of having clients pay in stablecoins just makes it much easier to get paid in a fiat world. With crypto, freelancers can work with clients from anywhere without worrying about whether their bank supports international transfers or other payment barriers. When freelancers consider accepting crypto, they typically worry about the volatility of coins like bitcoin and ethereum. But there are stablecoins, like USDC and USDT, that are pegged to the U.S. dollar, so there are no sudden drops in value — at least, that's the intention. These stablecoins combine the benefits of cryptocurrency — speed and low fees — with the price stability of traditional fiat. It's important to know, however, that stablecoins can fail, as evidenced by the terra crash in 2022. But what about taxes? In the U.S., cryptocurrencies are classified as property, necessitating capital gains reporting upon disposal. Blake Minho Kim, freelancer and co-founder of Myosin, explained, 'With stablecoins, there are no tax implications in that you have no capital gains or losses.' In the U.S., companies track and report payments with forms like 1099s and W9s, while international freelancers may need to use forms like W8BEN. Stay organized to avoid surprises at tax time. Self-custody wallets are central to securing crypto earnings. Freelancers should embrace platforms that allow them to control their private keys, reducing exposure to exchange hack. Kim recommends dispersing funds across multiple wallets to limit losses from potential breaches. Freelancers must be vigilant against phishing attacks and suspicious links, which remain prevalent in the crypto space. Educational resources, such as Kraken's guide to self-custody, underscore the importance of offline storage for long-term holdings. Combining secure hardware wallets with disciplined digital hygiene can help freelancers protect their assets while enjoying crypto's transactional benefits. More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for Retirees How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 7 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 2025 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources Atikh Bana, Acctual International Monetary Fund, 'How Training and Advice Can Speed Cross-Border Payments and Cut Costs.' Blake Minho Kim, Myosin Kraken, 'Self-custody best practices.' This article originally appeared on I'm a Freelancer: Here's Why I Prefer To Get Paid in Crypto
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How much money have county commissioner candidates raised? A look at financial reports
Nothing extraordinary, no known big-money donors or unusually large expenditures were listed in financial reports filed by candidates for the unexpired term of Oklahoma County commissioner District 1, although one candidate seems to have the support of the Democratic Party establishment. State Rep. Jason Lowe, D-OKC, took mostly generous donations from former and present Democratic Party officeholders, as well as several political action committees, according to filings with the Oklahoma County Election Board. Lowe faces former state lawmaker Anastasia Pittman, and Midwest City Council Member Sara Bana in the Democratic primary election Tuesday to replace former Commissioner Carrie Blumert, who resigned last fall. The winner will face independent Jed Green in the general election April 1. Pittman had not filed contributions and expenditures since Jan. 31, a report for the fourth quarter of last year, according to the Oklahoma County Election Board. Nor had Green filed any reports. Following are highlights from reports filed by the candidates. More: Meet the candidates for Oklahoma County Dist. 1 commissioner: Bana, Green, Lowe, Pittman According to the county Election Board: Friends of Sara Bana 2025 reported almost $8,000 in contributions in the fourth quarter, and $1,000 so far this year. PAC contributions: None. The largest donation from an individual was $1,000. Particularly prominent donors: longtime human rights activist Nathanial Batchelder, $10; activist Christopher Johnston, $100; activist Sean Cummings, $1,000; and Bana herself, $1,000. Loans: Bana's campaign took a loan of $100, but records provided by the Election Board don't identify the lender. The campaign had spent $1,821 by the end of last year, leaving $5,030. Expenditures were mostly for postcards and printing. The largest was $1,058 to Bags Inc. in Oklahoma City for yard signs. According to the county Election Board: Jason Lowe for Oklahoma County Commissioner 2025 reported $56,465 in contributions in the fourth quarter, and $21,125 so far this year. PAC contributions: $500 from the Oklahoma Building and Construction Trades PAC; $2,000 from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber PAC; $2,500 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC; and $3,000 from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local No. 344 PAC. The largest donation from an individual was $3,300. Particularly prominent donors: former Oklahoma Gov. David Walters, $100; former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, $250; State Rep. Mickey Dollens, $250; former Gov. Brad Henry, $500; former State Rep. Collin Walke, $500; Jim Roth, former public official and former dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law, $1,000; the Rev. John Pettis, $2,000; and real estate developer Susan Binkowski, $3,300. Loans: Lowe loaned his campaign $15,000 in October and another $8,000 last week. The total of $23,000 amounts to about 30% of his campaign chest of nearly $80,000. The campaign had spent $67,655 by the end of last week, leaving $9,934. Expenditures were mostly for political consulting, marketing and campaign materials from OKC's Bison Strategies LLC, totaling $73,518. According to the county Election Board: Anastasia Pittman for Oklahoma County Commissioner District 1 reported $3,630 in contributions in the fourth quarter of last year. She had filed no report this year. PAC contributions: None. The largest donation by an individual was $500, contributed by Reiko Jenkins of Manassas, Virginia, and Carol Knight and Cam Cox, both of Oklahoma City. Particularly prominent donors: None. Loans: Pittman loaned her campaign $1,640. The campaign had spent $2,586 by the end of last year, leaving $3,975. Expenditures were mostly for printing, office supplies and campaign materials. The largest was $608 to Postcards Direct in Oklahoma City. More: Three Democrats, one independent, file to run for District 1 Oklahoma County commissioner Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@ This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County commissioner District 1 candidates campaign reports
