Latest news with #LosAngelesCityFireDepartment
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Kid Cudi's Porsche damaged in explosion allegedly orchestrated by Diddy: See photos
Kid Cudi's Porsche damaged in explosion allegedly orchestrated by Diddy: See photos Show Caption Hide Caption Sean Combs' former personal assistant testifies in Diddy trial George Kaplan, Sean Combs' former personal assistant, testified about his work relationship with the embattled hip-hop mogul. Amid Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-crimes trial, prosecutors have released photos of Kid Cudi's Porsche, which Combs allegedly blew up in retaliation for his relationship with Cassie. The 2012 incident was first brought to light in Cassie Ventura Fine's November 2023 lawsuit and later referenced in her own testimony. Ventura Fine and Cudi briefly dated in 2011 during a break in her relationship with Combs, but the romance was short lived, as she allegedly broke off the relationship with the rapper, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, because it was too dangerous to continue. During testimony on May 22, Mescudi recalled Combs allegedly breaking into his house in December 2011 after the record executive found out about the relationship. Then, in January 2012, he got a call from his dog's babysitter early in the morning saying that his car was on fire. Kid Cudi takes the stand about Porsche explosion in Diddy trial The court was shown photos of the destroyed Porsche – with a large hole in the roof of the car, a charred red driver's seat and smoke damage on the car doors – in his driveway. Photos of Kid Cudi car fire aftermath See the full Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Cassie hotel video Kid Cudi Porsche incident previously reported to police Rolling Stone previously reported that a Los Angeles City Fire Department report confirmed Kid Cudi's Porsche was set on fire by an "incendiary device" on Jan. 9, 2012, in Los Angeles. Mescudi testified that he later reached out to Combs, saying things were getting out of hand and they should talk. Diddy trial live updates: What did Kid Cudi say about alleged break in, car explosion? The two eventually met up at luxury members-only club SoHo House, later joined by Cassie, as she testified the week of May 12. She recalled Mescudi asking Combs, "What about my vehicle?" to which the mogul responded, "What vehicle?" Later, Combs asked if they were going to have a problem, Mescudi said, with the rapper saying Combs' word was his word. Contributing: Anna Kaufman, Patrick Ryan and Aysha Bagchi
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mike Myers. Kid Cudi. Dawn Richard. What do these names have to do with the Diddy trial?
The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs kicked off May 5, cracking the seal on what is expected to be a closely watched and scandal-ridden celebrity trial. Potential jurors shuffled into a Manhattan courtroom on a gray Monday in New York City as lawyers for both sides prepared to winnow down the class of people who will be entrusted with the fate of one of the biggest names in music. Combs is on trial for an array of federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts. Diddy trial live updates: Potential jurors given list of celebrities connected to Combs Finding a group of jurors unfamiliar with Combs, who once ruled the world of hip-hop, and his recent legal struggles presents a unique challenge − a fact evident in the questions posted to potential candidates. In addition to questions about a history of sexual assault, jurors were given a list of people and places related to Combs in some ways. The names included Michael B. Jordan, Kid Cudi, Cassie Ventura, Michelle Williams, Mike Myers, Dallas Austin, Lauren London and Dawn Richard. : Step inside the courtroom with USA TODAY as Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces sex crimes and trafficking charges. Subscribe to the newsletter. The list, a who's who of Hollywood and music elite, paints a picture of Combs' far-reaching influence in the entertainment industry. Kid Cudi, an Ohio-born rapper who was briefly romantically involved with Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, is likely on the list as a 2023 civil lawsuit from Ventura against Combs accused the hip-hop mogul of threatening to blow up Cudi's car. (Ventura and Kid Cudi briefly dated 'during a rough patch' in her relationship with Combs, she said.) Cudi's vehicle later allegedly exploded in his driveway around the time Ventua alleges Combs made the threat. The alleged arson incident also appeared to be part of prosecutors' case against Combs. In a Sept. 17 letter to the judge, the U.S. attorney for New York's Southern District claimed that in early January 2012, Combs' "co-conspirators set fire to" an unnamed individual's vehicle "by slicing open the car's convertible top and dropping a Molotov cocktail inside the interior." Rolling Stone reported a Los Angeles City Fire Department report confirmed Kid Cudi's Porsche was set on fire by an 'incendiary device' on Jan. 9, 2012, in Los Angeles. In a 2023 statement to The New York Times, Kid Cudi confirmed Cassie's claim that his car had exploded. USA TODAY has reached out to Kid Cudi's rep for comment. Jurors already thrown out in Diddy trial as judge seeks unbiased group Ventura, who is also on the list, alleged in a bombshell lawsuit in 2023 that Combs had trafficked, sexually assaulted and physically abused her during their decade-long relationship. The two 'amicably' settled the lawsuit a day after Cassie's filing, and Combs' team alluded to a 'substantial eight-figure settlement" in court documents for his criminal case. Last May, a 2016 hotel surveillance video exclusively shared by CNN showed Combs kicking, hitting and dragging the singer – actions that were first described in her legal complaint. Days later, Combs issued a video apology, saying he took "full responsibility for my actions in that video." Richard, a former member of the girl group Danity Kane, is likely on the list as she filed a lawsuit last year alleging she witnessed Combs' abuse of Ventura and was also sexually assaulted and deprived food, sleep and pay by the "Bad Boy Records" founder. Dallas Austin, a fellow music producer, came up in the business at a similar time to Combs, and may have made the list for his close childhood relationship with Kim Porter, a longtime romantic partner of Diddy's. Actress Lauren London, who also appears on the list, has been open about Combs' support for her in the wake of her late partner, rapper Nipsey Hussle's death. It is not immediately clear why Williams, Jordan or Myers made the list, though there is a brief segment in "Austin Powers," among Myers' most famous movies, that pokes fun at the music mogul. USA TODAY has reached out to all of their reps for comment. Diddy could have ruled Met Gala 2025. Instead, he's awaiting his sex-crimes trial. Combs is charged with two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and one count of racketeering. Federal authorities claim Combs turned his "multi-faceted business empire" into a "criminal enterprise" in which he and his associates engaged in kidnapping, arson and physical violence, sex trafficking and forced labor, among other alleged crimes. Yes. If convicted on the racketeering charge, Combs could face life in prison, while the statutory minimum sentence for sex trafficking is 15 years and for transportation to engage in prostitution is a maximum of 10 years. The disgraced music mogul is already in custody, and, despite repeated attempts at bail, has remained confined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. Contributing: Patrick Ryan, Taijuan Moorman, KiMi Robinson, Edward Segarra, Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Myers. Kid Cudi. Why these names are important to the Diddy trial
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Yahoo
Driver dies after collision with fire truck in Pacoima
A man was killed Sunday morning in a car accident after he turned in front of a fire engine at an intersection in Pacoima, according to authorities. A Los Angeles City Fire Department engine was responding to a call and driving southbound on San Fernando Road around 10:45 a.m. when a Toyota Corolla made a left-hand turn from Terra Bella Street in front of the fire truck, said Sgt. Jodie McGee with the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division. "A collision occurred," McGee said. "The driver of the vehicle, the Toyota Corolla, was transported to Holy Cross, where he was pronounced." McGee said the firefighters in the engine were shaken up but uninjured. The LAPD is handling the investigation into the incident. Police are still attempting to identify the victim, who McGee said was not carrying identification. He was the only person in the Corolla. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
30-03-2025
- Los Angeles Times
1 dead after collision with fire engine in Pacoima
A man was killed Sunday morning in a car accident after he turned in front of a fire engine at an intersection in Pacoima, according to authorities. A Los Angeles City Fire Department engine was responding to a call and driving southbound on San Fernando Road around 10:45 a.m. when a Toyota Corolla made a left-hand turn from Terra Bella Street in front of the fire truck, said Sgt. Jodie McGee with the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division. 'A collision occurred,' McGee said. 'The driver of the vehicle, the Toyota Corolla, was transported to Holy Cross, where he was pronounced.' McGee said the firefighters in the engine were shaken up but uninjured. The L.A. Police Department is handling the investigation into the accident. Police are still attempting to identify the victim, who McGee said was not carrying identification. He was the only person in the Corolla.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Yahoo
Body of Missing LAFD Fireman, Surfer Found at Sea
The body of a Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter has been found, months after he went missing. Connor Lees, 29, an avid surfer and ocean-lover in addition to his career, went free-diving on December 4th, 2024; now, nearly four months later, authorities have found his remains. Following his disappearance, a GoFundMe account was activated to support his family. 'As we look to the sea,' it reads, 'at the waves of its surf, at the beauty of its depths, at the sunset on its horizon, we wait to discover the full text of Connor's story. For now, we are assured that he is where he always wanted to be. He loved the water and everything it brings to our lives. It shaped him into the boy, the son, the brother, the friend, the athlete, the surfer, the explorer, the firefighter, the companion, and the man he became. In his time, Connor will tell us how he and the sea forever remain connected.' A candlelight vigil was also held weeks after his disappearance in Seal Beach. In an Instagram post, the LAFD broke the news about Lees' body, explained what happened, and honored their fallen: 'It is with profound sadness that we share an update regarding Firefighter III Connor J. Lees.'On March 28, 2025, the Long Beach Police Department recovered the body of Firefighter Connor J. Lees from the waters off Long Beach. Firefighter Lees, 29, was a dedicated member of the Los Angeles City Fire Department for six years, serving with distinction at Fire Station 94 B Platoon in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw community. He was off duty at the time of his disappearance, recreationally diving with friends.'As previously reported, on December 4, 2024, the City of Long Beach's public safety agencies responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a missing diver in the Port of Long Beach. The Long Beach Fire Department immediately initiated a coordinated search effort, joined by the Long Beach Police Department, the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, and the Los Angeles Port Police, operating under a Unified Command. Despite an exhaustive and highly technical search, Firefighter Lees was presumed lost at sea, and recovery efforts were concluded on December 6, 2024.'The LAFD stands united in grief alongside Firefighter Lees' family, friends, and colleagues. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.' Rest in peace, Connor Lees. See the GoFundMe page here.
