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AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
2nd woman tells jury Sean 'Diddy' Combs raped her, Entertainment News
NEW YORK — Sean "Diddy" Combs was accused of rape by a second woman on Thursday (May 29) as the hip-hop mogul stands trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, charges that could lead to life in prison if he is convicted. A former personal assistant to Combs, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, testified in Manhattan federal court that the Bad Boy Records founder raped her at least twice. "I was just frozen. I didn't do anything. I just let it happen," Mia said, fighting back tears and staring into her lap as she described an incident in which Combs allegedly grabbed her head and put his penis in her mouth. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. Mia told jurors Combs climbed on top of her while she was sleeping and raped her while she lay frozen with fear. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships but said any sex was consensual. During the testimony, Combs occasionally passed notes to his lawyers but otherwise showed little outward reaction. Testimony before a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in Manhattan federal court is in its third week. Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, coerced women over two decades to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances with male sex workers known as "Freak Offs". In emotional testimony during the first week of trial, Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura told jurors Combs physically and emotionally abused her throughout their tumultuous 11-year relationship and raped her shortly after they broke up for good. Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said she participated in the Freak Offs because she feared Combs would release sex tapes of her if she didn't, but also because she loved him. Friends and associates of Combs and Ventura have testified about Combs' alleged abuse, describing Combs as a domineering figure who relied on bodyguards and associates to enable his alleged crimes and keep victims in line. The trial has drawn intense media coverage due to Combs' cultural influence and role in taking hip-hop mainstream through legendary artists like the Notorious B.I.G. Combs was arrested in Manhattan last September and is being held at a federal prison in Brooklyn when not in court. Dawn Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, testified last week that she felt threatened when Combs told her to keep quiet about what she saw. Richard faced a sharp cross-examination by one of Combs' lawyers, who sought to point to inconsistencies between her testimony and what she said during interviews with prosecutors. Last week, Scott Mescudi — the rapper known as Kid Cudi — testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, shortly after Combs learned that Mescudi had a romantic relationship with Ventura. Prosecutors say the alleged arson of Mescudi's car was one of several violent or illegal acts that Combs or his associates undertook to prevent women from leaving his orbit and keep his abuse quiet. [[nid:718506]]
Mint
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Second woman tells jury Sean Diddy Combs raped her
Trial highlights Combs' alleged coercion and abuse Lawyers for hip-hop artist claim Freak Offs were consensual He pleads not guilty to racketeering and sex trafficking charges (Recasts top with new testimony in paragraphs 1-3, 5-6) By Jack Queen and Luc Cohen NEW YORK, May 29 (Reuters) - Sean 'Diddy' Combs was accused of rape by a second woman on Thursday as the hip-hop mogul stands trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, charges that could lead to life in prison if he is convicted. A former personal assistant to Combs, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, testified in Manhattan federal court that the Bad Boy Records founder raped her at least twice. 'I was just frozen. I didn't do anything. I just let it happen,' Mia said, fighting back tears and staring into her lap as she described an incident in which Combs allegedly grabbed her head and put his penis in her mouth. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. Mia told jurors Combs climbed on top of her while she was sleeping and raped her while she lay frozen with fear. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships but said any sex was consensual. During the testimony, Combs occasionally passed notes to his lawyers but otherwise showed little outward reaction. Testimony before a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in Manhattan federal court is in its third week. Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, coerced women over two decades to take part in days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances with male sex workers known as "Freak Offs." In emotional testimony during the first week of trial, Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura told jurors Combs physically and emotionally abused her throughout their tumultuous 11-year relationship and raped her shortly after they broke up for good. Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said she participated in the Freak Offs because she feared Combs would release sex tapes of her if she didn't, but also because she loved him. Friends and associates of Combs and Ventura have testified about Combs' alleged abuse, describing Combs as a domineering figure who relied on bodyguards and associates to enable his alleged crimes and keep victims in line. The trial has drawn intense media coverage due to Combs' cultural influence and role in taking hip-hop mainstream through legendary artists like the Notorious B.I.G. Combs was arrested in Manhattan last September and is being held at a federal prison in Brooklyn when not in court. Dawn Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, testified last week that she felt threatened when Combs told her to keep quiet about what she saw. Richard faced a sharp cross-examination by one of Combs' lawyers, who sought to point to inconsistencies between her testimony and what she said during interviews with prosecutors. Last week, Scott Mescudi - the rapper known as Kid Cudi - testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, shortly after Combs learned that Mescudi had a romantic relationship with Ventura. Prosecutors say the alleged arson of Mescudi's car was one of several violent or illegal acts that Combs or his associates undertook to prevent women from leaving his orbit and keep his abuse quiet. (Reporting by Jack Queen and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Second woman tells jury Sean 'Diddy' Combs raped her
NEW YORK -Sean 'Diddy' Combs was accused of rape by a second woman on Thursday as the hip-hop mogul stands trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, charges that could lead to life in prison if he is convicted. A former personal assistant to Combs, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, testified in Manhattan federal court that the Bad Boy Records founder raped her at least twice. 'I was just frozen. I didn't do anything. I just let it happen,' Mia said, fighting back tears and staring into her lap as she described an incident in which Combs allegedly grabbed her head and put his penis in her mouth. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. Mia told jurors Combs climbed on top of her while she was sleeping and raped her while she lay frozen with fear. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships but said any sex was consensual. During the testimony, Combs occasionally passed notes to his lawyers but otherwise showed little outward reaction. Testimony before a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in Manhattan federal court is in its third week. Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, coerced women over two decades to take part in days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances with male sex workers known as "Freak Offs." In emotional testimony during the first week of trial, Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura told jurors Combs physically and emotionally abused her throughout their tumultuous 11-year relationship and raped her shortly after they broke up for good. Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said she participated in the Freak Offs because she feared Combs would release sex tapes of her if she didn't, but also because she loved him. Friends and associates of Combs and Ventura have testified about Combs' alleged abuse, describing Combs as a domineering figure who relied on bodyguards and associates to enable his alleged crimes and keep victims in line. The trial has drawn intense media coverage due to Combs' cultural influence and role in taking hip-hop mainstream through legendary artists like the Notorious B.I.G. Combs was arrested in Manhattan last September and is being held at a federal prison in Brooklyn when not in court. Dawn Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, testified last week that she felt threatened when Combs told her to keep quiet about what she saw. Richard faced a sharp cross-examination by one of Combs' lawyers, who sought to point to inconsistencies between her testimony and what she said during interviews with prosecutors. Last week, Scott Mescudi - the rapper known as Kid Cudi - testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, shortly after Combs learned that Mescudi had a romantic relationship with Ventura. Prosecutors say the alleged arson of Mescudi's car was one of several violent or illegal acts that Combs or his associates undertook to prevent women from leaving his orbit and keep his abuse quiet.
Business Insider
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Sean 'Diddy' Combs tried to ambush Suge Knight with guns, his trial heard. What to know about the hip-hop heavyweights' feud.
The sex-trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs heard that the hip-hop mogul planned to ambush his long-term rival, Marion "Suge" Knight, with guns at an LA diner in 2008. If Diddy succeeded, he could have reignited a long-running beef between the East and West Coast hip-hop communities. Last week, Cassie Ventura, Diddy's ex-girlfriend, testified at his trial in Manhattan that he left his rented mansion in LA during a " freak-off" in 2008, after learning that Suge was at a diner nearby. Cassie said Diddy and other men covered their heads, grabbed guns, and drove to the diner. On Tuesday, David James, Diddy's former personal assistant, testified that he drove him and a trusted security guard to the restaurant, but Suge left before they arrived. "It was the first time I realized my life was in danger," James said, adding that he quit soon after the incident. Here's what to know about the feud between Suge and Diddy. Suge and Diddy were at the centre of the '90s hip-hop rivalry linked to the deaths of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. Hip-hop originated in 1970s New York City, but by the '80s and '90s, multiple rappers, including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, emerged on the West Coast. A rivalry soon emerged between Suge's Death Row Records on the West Coast, which he co-founded in 1991, and the East Coast's Bad Boy, founded by Diddy in 1993. In 1994, Tupac Shakur, a West Coast rapper, survived being shot five times at Quad Studios in Manhattan during a robbery. Tupac believed the Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie) of Bad Boys Records and Diddy were involved, which they denied. In response, Tupac joined Death Row Records in 1995, and the it released his diss track "Hit 'Em Up" in 1996, which targeted Diddy, Biggie, Bad Boy Records, and other East Coast rappers. In 1996 and 1997, respectively, Tupac and Biggie were killed in drive by shootings. Both crimes remained unsolved, with many speculating without evidence that Diddy and Suge were involved, which they both deny. In 2023, Duane Keith "Keffe D" Davis, a former leader of a California street gang known as the South Side Compton Crips, was charged with murder, with prosecutors alleging he organized Tupac's death. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told People in 2024 that Diddy was never considered a suspect for Tupac's murder. After Tupac and Biggie died, rappers on both sides, including Snoop Dogg, Diddy, Nas, and Ice Cube, attempted to cool down tensions between the two rap communities. Suge is serving a 28-year sentence for manslaughter The beef faded from the public eye, and major stars like Dre and Snoop Dogg left Death Row Records in 1996 and 1998, respectively, and the company filed for bankruptcy in 2006. In 2022, Snoop became its new owner. Suge is in prison in San Diego, after he was charged over the fatal hit-and-run of Terry Carter, a business associate, while on the set of the 2015 movie "Straight Outta Compton." In 2018, Suge pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 28 years in prison. Despite his feud with Diddy, Suge told NewsNation's show " CUOMO" in September 2024 that he was not celebrating his rival's arrest. "I don't jump and cheer for no Black man or any other human being going to prison," Suge said. "That man has kids, and whatever affects him definitely affects his kids." Suge alleged at the time that Diddy was sexually abused by other people in the industry and said Diddy repeated that abuse on other people. Legal representatives for Diddy declined to comment when contacted by Business Insider. Legal representatives for Suge did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
When is Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial and what is he charged with?
The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, one of the most successful rappers and music moguls in the US, starts in New York with jury selection on Monday. The charges against him include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face life in prison. The rapper also faces dozens of civil lawsuits from individuals who accuse him of using his power to drug, assault, rape, intimidate and silence people. Mr Combs has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and rejected the individual lawsuits as attempts "for a quick payday". Mr Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. His early music career success included helping launch the careers of Mary J Blige and Christopher Wallace - aka Biggie Smalls, or The Notorious B.I.G. His music label Bad Boy Records became one of the most important labels in rap and expanded to include Faith Evans, Ma$e, 112, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez. Mr Combs also had a prolific business career outside of music, including a deal with British drinks company Diageo to promote the French vodka brand Cîroc. In 2023, he released his fifth record The Love Album: Off The Grid and earned his first solo nomination at the Grammy awards. He also was named a Global Icon at the MTV Awards. In the federal criminal case, Mr Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, two charges of sex trafficking and two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. Many of the most severe allegations relate to the racketeering conspiracy charge. It includes accusations of kidnapping, drugging, and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes using firearms or threats of violence. In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies that they said were intended for use in orgies known as 'freak offs', including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil. Separately, Mr Combs faces a number of lawsuits accusing him of rape and assault. Tony Buzbee, a Texas lawyer handling some of these cases, said that more than 100 women and men from across the US have either filed lawsuits against the rap mogul or will do so. In December 2023, a woman known in court papers as Jane Doe alleged that she was "gang raped" by Mr Combs and others in 2003, when she was 17. She said she was given "copious amounts of drugs and alcohol" before the attack. Mr Combs' legal team dismissed the flurry of lawsuits as "clear attempts to garner publicity." 'He thought of himself as a king': The parties that led to Diddy's downfall Sean 'Diddy' Combs: Who is the US rapper accused of sex trafficking? His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence. Since then, dozens of people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims. His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage leaked by CNN showed Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016. He apologised for his behaviour, saying: "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now." Diddy's violence left me broken, says Cassie 'Studio sex' and 'hitman threats': Insiders speak out about Diddy's 90s music empire Mr Combs has consistently denied the allegations made against him in the civil lawsuits, describing them as "sickening" and suggesting they were made by "individuals looking for a quick payday". In a statement to the BBC about the federal criminal charges, his lawyer said: "Mr Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. "In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor." Diddy's lawyers later filed a motion to dismiss one part of the federal indictment in which he is accused of transportation to engage in prostitution. His team argued he was being unfairly targeted due to his race. In a hearing in New York a week before the trial, his attorneys told the court that the rapper led the "lifestyle" of a "swinger" and was not a criminal. They said he thought it was "appropriate" to have multiple sex partners, including sex workers. At the same hearing, prosecutors revealed that Mr Combs had rejected a plea deal. Mr Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, since his arrest on 16 September 2024. His lawyers have argued for his release, citing the jail's 'horrific' conditions. Critics describe the prison as overcrowded and understaffed, with a culture of violence. A New York federal judge denied the bail request, describing Mr Combs as a 'serious flight risk'. Prosecutors have alleged that Mr Combs has been breaking prison rules by contacting potential witnesses. They accuse him of "relentless efforts" to "corruptly influence witness testimony". 'Chaos reigns' - the notorious jail holding Sean 'Diddy' Combs The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday. The first days of the trial will consist of jury selection, with the trial starting in earnest after the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates is selected. Prosecutor Emily Johnson told the judge that the government will need three weeks to present its case. Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo said the rapper's team will need a week for theirs. Mr Combs' trial will take place in front of US District Judge Arun Subramanian at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouse in lower Manhattan. The trial is expected to be open to the public, but won't be streamed online. Cameras, phones and electronic devices are normally not allowed in US federal courtrooms. Mr Combs faces up to life in prison if convicted on the racketeering charge. He faces another statutory minimum sentence of 15 years if he is found guilty of sex trafficking. Transportation for purposes of prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
