Latest news with #RacketeerInfluencedandCorruptOrganizationsStatute
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged sexual abuse exposed in emotional testimony
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged sexual abuse exposed in emotional testimony This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged pattern of sexual and physical abuse is coming into focus as more of the hip-hop mogul's former associates speak out during his criminal trial. After harrowing testimony from Combs' ex-assistant, a woman going by the pseudonym "Mia," prosecutors returned to court on May 30 to continue building their case against the Grammy-winning rapper in his sweeping federal sex-crimes case. During her May 29 testimony, Mia was emotional, slow and considered in her responses. Her voice often cracked as she teared up while alleging Combs attacked her and his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine multiple times. "He's thrown things at me. He's thrown me against the wall. He's thrown me into a pool," she said. Mia's testimony followed similar allegations from Deonte Nash, a friend and stylist of Ventura Fine, who claimed Combs tried to control all aspects of Cassie's life during their decadelong relationship. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Why is Diddy on trial? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all five counts against him. What is racketeering? Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. Where can I watch the Diddy trial? The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Deonte Nash back on the stand after alleging Sean Combs beat Cassie
Diddy trial updates: Deonte Nash back on the stand after alleging Sean Combs beat Cassie Show Caption Hide Caption Former stylist for Cassie testifies of more alleged abuse by Combs Deonte Nash, a friend and stylist of Cassie Ventura Fine, testified in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial of more alleged abuse by Combs against Fine. This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. A friend and stylist of Cassie Ventura Fine, a Los Angeles police officer and an arson investigator for the Los Angeles Fire Department, testified May 28 in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial. Deonte Nash said Combs tried to control all aspects of Ventura Fine's life during their decade-long relationship, from her music to her social circle and more. "It drove her crazy. She would cry," Nash, who also worked as a stylist with Combs, told jurors. Nash also testified that the former hip-hop mogul threatened to repeatedly beat her, including bashing her head on a bed frame. Nash will finish his testimony in court May 29. Earlier on May 28, prosecutors also questioned two emergency officials on allegations that Combs broke into fellow rapper Kid Cudi's home and a separate incident that saw Kid Cudi's Porsche explode in his driveway. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff; Reuters If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Capricorn Clark delivered tearful, harrowing testimony on the stand
Diddy trial updates: Capricorn Clark delivered tearful, harrowing testimony on the stand This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. As Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex-crimes trial kicks off its third week with more harrowing testimony, the jury heard from the mogul's former assistant, Capricorn Clark. On the stand May 27, Clark alleged through tears that the hip-hop mogul kidnapped her and threatened to kill her multiple times while she worked for him. Clark testified that she was once held against her will for five days after several pieces of jewelry went missing at the rapper's home. She said she was "petrified" and forced to take polygraph tests over and over again. Clark worked for Combs between 2004 and 2012. Kid Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, was also brought up in court on May 27, as Clark described Combs rushing to the rapper's Los Angeles home with a gun after learning he was dating Cassie Ventura Fine. "I'd never seen anything like this before," Clark told jurors, choking up as she described Combs allegedly breaking into Mescudi's home in a rage. Later on Tuesday, Marc Agnifilo, one of Combs' defense attorneys, zeroed in on Clark's testimony about the confrontation at Cudi's home during his cross-examination. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. What charges is Diddy facing? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts. What is racketeering? Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. Where can I watch the Diddy trial? The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged violence recalled as more witnesses testify
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged violence recalled as more witnesses testify This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged streak of violent behavior is coming to light as additional witnesses testify in the hip-hop mogul's criminal trial. Attorneys for the Grammy-winning rapper, prosecutors and jurors returned to Manhattan court on May 27 in the fourth week of proceedings in the federal sex-crimes case. This comes after a slew of witnesses, including Cassie Ventura Fine's mother Regina Ventura, Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard and rapper Kid Cudi, appeared in court last week to share harrowing accounts of Combs' alleged abuse. Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, dated Ventura Fine briefly in 2011. While taking the stand on May 22, he claimed Combs broke into his home and locked his dog in a bathroom — and that his vehicle blew up in another incident — after Combs found out he was seeing his estranged girlfriend. The incidents are just some of the violent acts prosecutors say Combs undertook during a 20-year scheme to coerce women, including Ventura Fine, to take part in drug-fueled sex parties known as "freak offs" and prevent them from leaving his orbit. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors claim they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' atmosphere of alleged abuse revealed in witness testimony
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' atmosphere of alleged abuse revealed in witness testimony This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' drug-fueled atmosphere of alleged abuse is being further revealed as more witnesses take the stand in his ongoing criminal trial. A select group of witnesses returned to Manhattan court on May 22 as prosecutors continue to build their case against the embattled hip-hop mogul. The previous day, federal agent Gerard Gannon appeared for testimony and described the massive March 2024 raid on Combs' Miami mansion, during which authorities found illegal drugs, weapons and more. Gannon was joined by psychologist Dawn Hughes, who explained the complexities of physical, sexual and psychological abuse, as well as George Kaplan, a former assistant alleging a hostile work environment under the Bad Boy Records founder. Scott Mescudi, better known as rapper Kid Cudi, will also take the stand in the coming days. Combs allegedly threatened the musician after he and Diddy's former girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine dated briefly over a decade ago. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Why is Diddy on trial? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts. What is racketeering? Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors claim they have video of. Where can I watch the Diddy trial? The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
