Latest news with #FrankBlack
The Sun
21-05-2025
- The Sun
Meaning behind Diddy's ‘alter ego' Frank Black REVEALED after shock raid pics of baby oil crates and rope shown at trial
THE meaning behind Sean "Diddy" Combs' alias Frank Black has been revealed as his assistant disclosed what it was like working for the music mogul. George Kaplan testified that he would routinely book hotel rooms for Combs under the name Frank Black, which he said was a reference to the late Bad Boy Records rapper Biggie Smalls, whose nickname was "Frank White." 5 5 5 5 5 Kaplan, who worked at Combs Enterprises between 2013 and 2015, described working punishing "80 to 100-hour" work weeks, which would involve ensuring Combs' breakfast was cooked and his bathroom was stocked with all his essentials. Kaplan in September 2014 he was promoted from an executive assistant to the chief operating officer to Combs' personal executive assistant. He said he would have daily communication with the Bad Boy Records founder, exchanging texts, calls, and emails multiple times a day. However, Kaplan said Combs would often threaten his job security every month, saying he needed to be "surrounded by the best people." The assistant told jurors his job would involve prepping hotel rooms for Combs' alleged freak-offs. He recalled stocking the rooms with candles, Astroglide lubricant, baby oil and clothing. Kaplan said he would often clean up after the alleged sex marathons in order to protect Combs' public image. "It was implied, protect his public image. I was keen on doing that," Kaplan testified. "I found hotels would sell photos to newspapers to shame guests." Kaplan recalled he would dispose of "bottles of baby oil and Gatorade" and in one instance, cleaned up brown crystallized powder from a bathroom countertop. Wednesday's proceeding began with special agent Gerard Gannon, one of the federal agents involved in the raid at Combs' estate in Miami in March 2024, back on the stand. Gannon testified that federal agents uncovered a cache of drugs, sex toys, and high-powered firearms at Combs' mansion on Star Island in Miami. Prosecutors showed jurors photos of pills found at the home that had a "Tesla imprint" on them and had "active ingredient in Xanax." A Gucci bag found on the property with a "white plastic bottle" in it, containing "liquid residue of meth and liquid MDMA," prosecutors said. It comes as… Sean Combs' former personal assistant David James testified Combs took drugs "every day" from his "med bag" which sometimes contained Obama-shaped ecstasy pills and Viagra Cassie Ventura's mom Regina testified that Combs demanded she pay him $20k in exchange for a sex tape of her daughter Kid Cudi is set to take the stand later this week Cassie spent four days on the stand last week testifying about drug-fueled sex marathons called "freak-offs" that Combs is accused of forcing her to participate in Cassie sobbed as she testified that Combs beat her and forced male escorts to urinate on her during the sick sessions Her husband, Alex Fine, broke his silence with an emotional statement after Cassie left the stand Dawn Richard testified on Monday that Combs threatened her life to keep her quiet after she saw him beat Cassie in 2009 Gannon also said that officials found "high heels and sex items" in the master closet of the home. The defense began cross-examination of Gannon just after 10 am on Wednesday. Kaplan, Combs' former assistant, will return to the stand on Thursday. Rapper Kid Cudi is also expected to testify tomorrow. Combs' attorneys have insisted that while Combs might be guilty of domestic violence against Cassie, he's not guilty of any of the charges against him, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The music executive has pleaded not guilty to all charges as prosecutors continue to paint him as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise. He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex. 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). 19th May 2025, 08:44 By Georgie English Who is Dawn Richard? Speaking at her testimony on Friday, Ms Richard said she worked for Sean Combs between 2004 to 2011. She is testifying that she saw Combs beat Cassie Ventura at his home in Los Angeles in 2009. Richard is an American singer from New Orleans who was a former band mate of Combs. She started her career auditioning for MTV's Making the Band 3 in 2004. The group signed with Diddy's Bad Boy Records and released three studio albums. Then in 2009, she formed a new musical trio with Diddy and fellow R&B singer Kalenna Harper called Dirty Money. By All the latest from week one of Combs' trial Cassie Ventura testified that Sean Combs became jealous and took her phone when he heard she was dating an NFL player He also took her phone after he heard she danced with Chris Brown, which Cassie denied on the stand An audio recording of Cassie threatening a man who secretly recorded a "freak-off" was played for the jury on Friday The judge became furious at lawyers when he found out Cassie, who is 8 months pregnant, might have to return to the stand next week Cassie revealed she was paid $20 million to settle her lawsuit against Combs Ex-hotel security guard Israel Florez testified on Monday about being offered cash after Combs attacked Cassie in 2016
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs knew his possible arrest was imminent. He didn't appear to be living that way
Days before Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations on September 16, 2024, he had checked himself into the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. The music industry vet's attorney told CNN at the time that Combs had 'voluntarily relocated to New York' in anticipation of being charged after a grand jury had voted to indict him on September 12 on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He later pleaded not guilty. At the time of his arrest, Combs' representatives said he was innocent and had 'nothing to hide.' Negotiations for Combs to voluntarily surrender had been ongoing, a source told CNN after his arrest. On Friday, what investigators discovered inside Combs' room at the Park Hyatt became public in testimony at his criminal trial. He appeared to be living without the concern his personal items would be searched or seized in an arrest. The jury was shown photo evidence of baby oil, lubricant, drugs, cash and 'possible mood lighting' found by investigators inside the room where Combs was staying. Investigators found resealable bags and bottles of baby oil and lubricant in a closet, in the bathroom, on the nightstand and elsewhere in the room, Homeland Security Investigations special agent Yasin Binda testified at Combs' trial on Friday. A bottle of medication with the name 'Frank Black' was found in a Louis Vuitton bag on a nightstand in the bedroom, Binda testified. The label on the bottle said the medication was clonazepam. Two small bags with pink powder were found inside another bottle of medication in a nightstand in the bedroom, Binda said. The pink powder in one bag tested positive for ketamine, and the other tested positive for both MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and ketamine, according to a stipulation read in court. A black fanny pack containing $9,000 in cash was also found, Binda testified. On cross-examination, Binda said it appeared a woman had been staying with Combs at the hotel. Prosecutors have said Combs coerced his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, into participating in sexual performances called 'Freak Offs,' involving male escorts who were paid thousands of dollars in cash. Law enforcement discovered more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil in searches of Combs' homes last year. Ventura explained the product's role in the 'Freak Offs' during testimony at Combs' trial last week. 'If he felt like you were too dry, he'd let you know,' Ventura testified. 'He would say 'you were too dry you need to put more oil on,' or 'you need to be glistening.'' They used about 10 large bottles of baby oil each time, Ventura said on the stand. At one 'Freak Off' there was even an inflatable pool filled with baby oil, she testified, and Combs told her to get into the pool to cover herself in oil. Combs' defense team has maintained the 'Freak Offs' were consensual. 'You may know of his love of baby oil,' Teny Geragos, attorney for Combs, said in her opening statement last week. 'Is that a federal crime? No.' CNN's Josh Campbell, Kara Scannell, Lauren del Valle and Nicki Brown contributed to this story.
CNN
20-05-2025
- CNN
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs knew his possible arrest was imminent. He didn't appear to be living that way
Days before Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations on September 16, 2024, he had checked himself into the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. The music industry vet's attorney told CNN at the time that Combs had 'voluntarily relocated to New York' in anticipation of being charged after a grand jury had voted to indict him on September 12 on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He later pleaded not guilty. At the time of his arrest, Combs' representatives said he was innocent and had 'nothing to hide.' Negotiations for Combs to voluntarily surrender had been ongoing, a source told CNN after his arrest. On Friday, what investigators discovered inside Combs' room at the Park Hyatt became public in testimony at his criminal trial. He appeared to be living without the concern his personal items would be searched or seized in an arrest. The jury was shown photo evidence of baby oil, lubricant, drugs, cash and 'possible mood lighting' found by investigators inside the room where Combs was staying. Investigators found resealable bags and bottles of baby oil and lubricant in a closet, in the bathroom, on the nightstand and elsewhere in the room, Homeland Security Investigations special agent Yasin Binda testified at Combs' trial on Friday. A bottle of medication with the name 'Frank Black' was found in a Louis Vuitton bag on a nightstand in the bedroom, Binda testified. The label on the bottle said the medication was clonazepam. Two small bags with pink powder were found inside another bottle of medication in a nightstand in the bedroom, Binda said. The pink powder in one bag tested positive for ketamine, and the other tested positive for both MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and ketamine, according to a stipulation read in court. A black fanny pack containing $9,000 in cash was also found, Binda testified. On cross-examination, Binda said it appeared a woman had been staying with Combs at the hotel. Prosecutors have said Combs coerced his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, into participating in sexual performances called 'Freak Offs,' involving male escorts who were paid thousands of dollars in cash. Law enforcement discovered more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil in searches of Combs' homes last year. Ventura explained the product's role in the 'Freak Offs' during testimony at Combs' trial last week. 'If he felt like you were too dry, he'd let you know,' Ventura testified. 'He would say 'you were too dry you need to put more oil on,' or 'you need to be glistening.'' They used about 10 large bottles of baby oil each time, Ventura said on the stand. At one 'Freak Off' there was even an inflatable pool filled with baby oil, she testified, and Combs told her to get into the pool to cover herself in oil. Combs' defense team has maintained the 'Freak Offs' were consensual. 'You may know of his love of baby oil,' Teny Geragos, attorney for Combs, said in her opening statement last week. 'Is that a federal crime? No.'
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Diddy ‘has chilling alter ego called Frank Black and demanded Obama-shaped pills and sperm boosters for freak-offs'
SEAN "Diddy" Combs took drugs including Obama-shaped ecstasy pills and Viagra every day for years, his ex-personal assistant testified at the disgraced music mogul's federal sex trafficking trial. Combs carried a designer bag of 30 pill bottles around with him, some of which were allegedly prescribed to his alter ego name Frank Black, according to witness David James. 6 6 6 6 6 6 James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, took the stand for the second day on Tuesday to testify against his former boss. He told jurors part of his job was to book hotel rooms for Combs under the alias "Frank Black," which he stocked with food, drinks, and toiletries. James testified that Combs kept various pill bottles in his toiletry bag, a Louis Vuitton pouch that previous witnesses Cassie Ventura and Dawn Richard both testified that Combs called his "med bag." Combs kept pills including Viagra, weight loss pills, Percocet, ecstasy, water pills, and "sperm booster" pills in the bag, which James testified he kept by his side at all times. 'There were various pills but one was in the form of a former president's face,' James told jurors, then clarified that the ecstasy pills were shaped like former President Barack Obama, whom Combs met on multiple occasions. James testified that Combs took drugs "every day." The former assistant also said he was asked to fill Combs' hotel rooms with applesauce, Jello, Fiji water, and Ciroc vodka. He admitted he sometimes joined in on the partying by drinking Ciroc vodka and taking ecstasy, which he called "Diddy-bopping." He testified that Combs once kept an "embarrassing" video of him dancing at a party "in case he ever needs it." It comes as… Cassie Ventura spent four days on the stand last week testifying about drug-fueled sex marathons called "freak-offs" that Sean Combs is accused of forcing her to participate in Cassie sobbed as she testified that Combs beat her and forced male escorts to urinate on her during the sick sessions Her husband, Alex Fine, broke his silence with an emotional statement after Cassie left the stand Dawn Richard testified on Monday that Combs threatened her after she saw him beat Cassie in 2009 Former hotel security guard Israel Florez testified last Monday about being offered cash after Combs attacked Cassie in 2016 Male escort Daniel Phillip took the stand to speak about how he was paid to have sex with Cassie in front of Combs Combs turned down a plea deal days before jury selection got underway Boy band B5, which Combs signed when they were all under 14, told The U.S. Sun they saw terrifying signs of his aggression when they were just teenagers Combs' $61.5 million mansion, where feds seized 1,000 bottles of baby oil, lies silent in the high-end Los Angeles neighborhood he once called home Federal investigators found baby oil, lubricant, ecstasy, pink cocaine, and candy when they raided Combs' hotel room in New York City after he was arrested in September. They discovered pills prescribed to Frank Black, which is also the alias Combs used during drug-fueled sex marathons he called "freak-offs," Cassie testified last week. Combs used nearly 10 bottles of baby oil for every "freak-off," which he allegedly forced Cassie to participate in weekly for years as he watched her have sex with male escorts, Cassie testified. The pictures of the sordid hotel room, which the jury on Combs' federal sex trafficking trial were shown on Friday, were released to the public on Monday as week two of his trial got underway. Jurors also saw graphic images of Cassie's gruesome injuries she suffered at the hands of Combs, her ex-boyfriend of 10 years, who is standing trial for five criminal counts. Regina Ventura, Cassie's mom, took the stand on Tuesday to testify against Combs. She accused Combs of blackmailing Cassie for $20,000 in exchange for a "freak-off" video after he threatened to release it when he found out she was dating rapper Kid Cudi in 2011. Regina testified she had to take out a loan to get the money to Combs. It was returned with no explanation just a few days later. Combs' attorneys have insisted that while Combs might be guilty of domestic violence, he's not guilty of any of the charges against him, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges as prosecutors continue to paint him as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise. He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex. 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). 19th May 2025, 08:48 By Georgie English Inside Diddy's abandoned mansion after police raid New aerial pictures show Combs' Los Angeles mansion lying silent while he stands trial on sex trafficking charges. Shamed Combs' home is among the larger houses in the luxurious neighborhood of Holmby Hills - a playground for the rich and famous. Combs forked out almost $40 million on the 17,000 square-foot, 10-bedroom home back in September 2014. He put it on the market a decade later for $61.5 million. The property boasts outdoor features such as a swimming pool, and its lawns are neat. Inside, there is a 35-seat theater room, a wine cellar, a gym, as well as a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen. Its other features include a basketball court, spa room, and an outdoor loggia-style facility where barbecues can be hosted, per the Zillow listing. Yet the sprawling complex was the target of two raids executed by the feds in March 2024. 19th May 2025, 08:46 By Georgie English Watch: Full unedited video of Combs and Cassie's hotel altercation Horror full unedited vid shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs attack on ex Cassie Ventura during 'freak off' party in LA 19th May 2025, 08:45 By Georgie English Recap of Cassie's 'nail in the coffin' Cassie testified that she ended her relationship with Combs in 2018, but that the two stayed in touch even after he allegedly raped her while she was dating her now-husband Alex Fine. On Friday, a text was read out from around the time when Cassie said the rape happened. 'I know I look bad to you. I could tell I didn't turn you on yesterday. I fell off," Combs texted her after the alleged rape. Cassie testified that she decided to end her 10-year relationship with Combs after seeing a picture of him with Gina, another woman he was dating, in August 2018. 'I just don't trust anymore. That last shot put the nail in the coffin," Cassie texted Combs at the time. Cassie testified that she never participated in another "freak-off," which had occurred weekly for years, after they split. 19th May 2025, 08:44 By Georgie English Who is Dawn Richard? Speaking at her testimony on Friday, Ms Richard said she worked for Sean Combs between 2004 to 2011. She is testifying that she saw Combs beat Cassie Ventura at his home in Los Angeles in 2009. Richard is an American singer from New Orleans who was a former band mate of Combs. She started her career auditioning for MTV's Making the Band 3 in 2004. The group signed with Diddy's Bad Boy Records and released three studio albums. Then in 2009, she formed a new musical trio with Diddy and fellow R&B singer Kalenna Harper called Dirty Money. By All the latest from week one of Combs' trial Cassie Ventura testified that Sean Combs became jealous and took her phone when he heard she was dating an NFL player He also took her phone after he heard she danced with Chris Brown, which Cassie denied on the stand An audio recording of Cassie threatening a man who secretly recorded a "freak-off" was played for the jury on Friday The judge became furious at lawyers when he found out Cassie, who is 8 months pregnant, might have to return to the stand next week Cassie revealed she was paid $20 million to settle her lawsuit against Combs Ex-hotel security guard Israel Florez testified on Monday about being offered cash after Combs attacked Cassie in 2016
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Drugs, Cash & Baby Oil? Diddy's Hotel Room Turns Up Disturbing Evidence
Federal agents raided Sean 'Diddy' Combs' hotel suite at NYC's Park Hyatt following his arrest on sex trafficking charges. The courtroom was stunned on May 16 as agents presented shocking evidence, including bags filled with Johnson's baby oil, pink powder, and $9,000 in a fanny pack. Inside the closet, they discovered Astroglide lubricant and 'mood lighting' devices. A Louis Vuitton bag held a prescription bottle labeled 'Clonazepam,' but it actually contained two bags of suspicious pink powder. Tests confirmed one bag held ketamine, while the other was a mix of MDMA and ketamine. The prescription was under the name 'Frank Black,' adding to the mystery. An iPhone and hard drive were also found, raising questions about what digital evidence may be uncovered. Read More
