Diddy trial begins: Cassie video shown, male escort testifies

NEW YORK CITY - Federal prosecutors began trying to prove Monday that Sean "Diddy" Combs turned his hip-hop conglomerate into a racketeering enterprise that forced women to satisfy his sexual desires for two decades.

Testimony in Combs’ New York trial began Monday after a final phase of jury selection and opening statements from the lawyers.

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Combs, wearing a light gray sweater and with his formerly jet-black hair now almost completely gray, entered the courtroom and hugged his lawyers, giving a thumbs-up to supporters seated in wooden court benches behind him. Earlier in the morning, a line to get into the courthouse stretched all the way down the block. Combs’ mother and some of his children were escorted past the crowd and brought straight into the building.

***LIVE COVERAGE: FOX 5 NY is live inside and outside the courtroom with the very latest and will live stream coverage in the YouTube player below.

• MORE: These are key players in the Diddy trial, celebrities mentioned

Prosecutors also allege Combs used force and coercion to get victims to engage in what he called "Freak Offs," which were often recorded and could last days.

What's happening today?

A federal prosecutor says the public knew Sean "Diddy" Combs as a larger-than-life music and business mogul, but in private he was coercing women into drug-fueled sexual encounters and using violence to control them for years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson made the accusation Monday during opening statements in Combs' sex trafficking trial in Manhattan. 

• MORE: Al B. Sure! on Diddy allegations, Kim Porter's death: 'She was in the best of health'

Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos, though, described the trial as a misguided overreach by prosecutors, saying that although her client could be violent, the state was trying to turn sex between consenting adults into a prostitution and sex trafficking case.

"Sean Combs is a complicated man. But this is not a complicated case. This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money," Geragos told the jury of eight men and four women. "There has been a tremendous amount of noise around this case over the past year. It is time to cancel that noise."

Diddy trial live updates from the courtroom

• 5:36 p.m.: Cassie Ventura is expected to testify on Tuesday, according to FOX News sources. Court will begin at 9 a.m. ET Tuesday morning. 
• 5:12 p.m.: The trial has finished for the day. The judge warned the jury not to speak to anyone about the case and was sent home.
• 4:35 p.m.: Singer Jaguar Wright, a supporter of the alleged victims, spoke outside the courthouse, emphasizing the potential impact of the trial on the music industry and urging vigilance as the proceedings unfold: ""We’re just getting started.  I believe there’s going to be a lot curveballs. And what I will say is be vigilant. We’re just getting started."
• 4:35 p.m.: Daniel Phillips, a male personal entertainer, testified about being paid to have sex with Cassie Ventura in 2013 while Combs allegedly watched and masturbated. Hedescribed being hired under the guise of performing at a bachelorette party, only to find Cassie in red lingerie. He testified about multiple encounters directed by Combs, who allegedly concealed his identity but was recognized by his voice. Phillips also recounted witnessing Combs assault Cassie and expressed fear for his own safety.
• 4:18 p.m.: The court has taken a short break. Phillip will later be cross-examined.
• 3:30 p.m.: Jurors were shown video surveillance footage of an attack by Combs on Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016 that prosecutors have maintained is a key piece of evidence in their case against him. (The Associated Press)

• 2:25 p.m.: Florez said that when he responded to a call of woman in distress on the sixth floor of a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016, he came across Combs, wearing only a towel and sitting on a chair "slouched down, like with a blank stare ... like a devilish stare, just looking at me." He said he noticed that the hotel’s floor display was destroyed and told Combs it’ll be charged to the room. As he escorted Cassie and Combs to their room, he said Cassie indicated she wanted to leave and Combs told her: "You’re not going to leave." Florez said he told Combs: "If she wants to leave, she’s going to leave." After Cassie left, Florez said, he was getting ready to leave their room when Combs called him back. Florez said he was holding a stack of money with a $100 on top, telling him: "Don’t tell nobody." Florez said he considered it a bribe and told him: "I don’t want your money. Just go back into your room."
• 2:15 p.m.: Prosecutors were using the trial’s first witness, Israel Florez, a former security officer at a Los Angeles hotel, to introduce recordings of Combs beating his then-girlfriend, the singer Cassie, at the hotel in March 2016. Defense lawyers had unsuccessfully tried before trial to get the video banned from the trial on the grounds that a recording that aired on CNN last year was unfair because it was edited and incomplete. Prosecutors say they are not airing the recording that CNN aired. Instead, they plan to show the jury recordings taken within the hotel. (The Associated Press)
• 1:30 p.m.: A court sketch shows Diddy giving a thumbs up to his family seated in the courtroom. Another image shows a federal prosecutor pointing at Diddy.

• 12 p.m.: On the contrary, Combs' lawyer Teny Geragos said during her opening, the trial of Combs is a misguided overreach by prosecutors, who are trying to turn consenting sex between adults into a prostitution and sex trafficking case. "Sean Combs is a complicated man. But this is not a complicated case. This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money," Geragos told the eight men and four women on the jury. "There has been a tremendous amount of noise around this case over the past year. It is time to cancel that noise," she added, noting the intense public attention the case has received. (The Associated Press)
• 11 a.m.: A federal prosecutor began summarizing the state's case Monday in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking trial, telling jurors that the hip-hop and business icon coerced women into drugged-fueled sexual encounters and kept them in line through violence."This is Sean Combs," federal prosecutor Emily Johnson told the Manhattan jury as she pointed at him. Combs leaned back in his chair as she spoke. "To the public, he was Puff Daddy or Diddy. A cultural icon. A businessman. Larger than life.""But there was another side to him. A side that ran a criminal enterprise," Johnson said. "During this trial you are going to hear about 20 years of the defendant's crimes. But he didn't do it alone. He had an inner circle of bodyguards and high-ranking employees who helped him commit crimes and cover them up."Those crimes, she said, included: Kidnapping, arson, drugs, sex crimes, bribery and obstruction.The defense's opening statement was to follow. (The Associated Press)
• 9:50 a.m.: A jury has been selected in Sean "Diddy" Combs’ sex trafficking trial in New York. (The Associated Press)
• 9:30 a.m.: Combs, wearing a white sweater, entered the courtroom shortly before 9 a.m., hugged lawyers and gave a thumbs up to supporters seated in the benches behind him. Earlier, the line to get into the courthouse stretched down the block. Combs' mother and some of his children were escorted past the crowd and brought straight into the building. (The Associated Press)
• 12 p.m., Sunday: According to sources, the court calendar this week will be Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Today, the final jury selection will be made, and they will immediately be sworn in. Opening statements will begin as soon as they are sworn in. Prosecutors go first, followed by the defense. They are planning to get at least the prosecution opening statement in. (FOX 5 NY’s Lisa Evers)
• 12 p.m., Sunday: Probable order of events: Monday will be the opening statement by the prosecution, followed by the opening statement of the defense, which may or may not happen today. That would then go to Tuesday. After the defense opening statement, the prosecution will start to present their case.

Is the Diddy trial going to be televised?

Unlike other recent high-profile celebrity trials, Combs’ court case won’t be broadcast live because federal courtrooms don’t allow electronic recordings inside — meaning courtroom sketch artists serve as the public’s eyes in the courtroom.

Key evidence

A central piece of evidence is a surveillance video from March 2016 that shows Combs striking and kicking his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Prosecutors say the assault occurred during one of the so-called events.

November 16, 2023

Cassie says in a lawsuit that Combs subjected her to years of abuse, including beatings and rape. Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, signed to Combs' label in 2005, and the two were on-again-off-again romantic partners for more than a decade, starting in 2007. 

The lawsuit filed in federal court says Combs was "prone to uncontrollable rage" and subjected her to "savage" beatings. It says he plied her with drugs, forced her to have sex with other men, and raped her in her home as she was trying to end the relationship in 2018. Combs, through his attorney, "vehemently denies" the accusations.

Who is Diddy?

Sean "Diddy" Combs rose to fame in the 1990s as the founder of Bad Boy Records, helping launch the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Justin Bieber, Usher and so many more. Beyond music, he built a global brand spanning fashion, beverages, and television. Throughout his career, he has gone by names like Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Diddy.

He remains one of New York’s most iconic entertainment figures — a fact that could complicate jury selection for this high-profile case. Federal prosecutors have charged Combs with a series of crimes including:

Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy

Count One charges that, from at least in or about 2004 through in or about 2024, the defendant participated in a racketeering conspiracy during which he agreed with other employees and associates of his businesses to commit kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution.

Count 2: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion

Count Two charges the defendant with sex trafficking an adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between in or about 2009 and in or about 2018. 

• MORE: Diddy reportedly accused by three more men of sexual assault in NYC
• MORE: Diddy charges explained: Racketeering and sex trafficking allegations

Count 3: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution

Count Three charges the defendant with transporting that female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between in or about 2009 and in or about 2018. 

• Count 4: Count Four charges the defendant with sex-trafficking a second adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between in or about 2021 and in or about 2024.
• Count Five charges the defendant with transporting that second female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between in or about 2021 and in or about 2024.
• Additional charge: Mann Act charge filed April 3 and an allegation that he forced a woman into sex trafficking between 2021 and 2023. The Mann Act is a federal law that makes it a crime to transport someone across state lines for illegal sexual activity.

At the center of the allegations are what investigators call "Freak Off" parties, where victims were allegedly drugged, coerced and exploited.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

• MORE: Diddy reportedly accused by three more men of sexual assault in NYC
• MORE: Diddy charges explained: Racketeering and sex trafficking allegations

What is in the indictment?

In a blistering three-count indictment, Diddy is accused of running an enterprise to fulfill his sexual desires. 

From around 2009 and for years, he allegedly assaulted women by striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects, and kicking them. 

• MORE Diddy charges explained: What the indictment alleges

The indictment claims he operated under "The Combs Enterprise," which includes Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises, and Combs Global, involving individuals and activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

It also details Diddy's "Freak Off parties," where he and his associates allegedly lured female victims and then coerced them into sex acts with commercial sex workers. 

Diddy held behind bars in Brooklyn

Since his arrest, Combs has been held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn — the borough where he was born and raised.

Sources tell FOX 5 NY that security around his holding location has been heightened due to his celebrity status.

What is Diddy accused of?

Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing serious charges that include sexual assault, sex trafficking, drugging, coercion, and racketeering. These allegations span across multiple civil and criminal lawsuits, with some plaintiffs claiming that Diddy used his wealth and power to exploit and abuse vulnerable individuals. 

• MORE: Diddy indictment: Baby oil, 'Freak Off' parties explained
• MORE: Diddy reportedly accused by three more men of sexual assault in NYC: Details
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The charges stem from various accusations, including participation in "Freak Off" parties, where victims were allegedly drugged and coerced into sex acts. Combs has been accused of multiple counts of abuse, trafficking, and obstruction of justice.

Diddy indictment

The federal indictment against Diddy includes eight counts. The charges are extensive and include racketeering and sex trafficking, as well as more specific allegations of drugging victims and keeping an enormous supply of baby oil, orchestrating the "Freak Off" parties, and money laundering. The indictment paints a disturbing picture of a powerful figure using his influence to exploit and abuse vulnerable individuals, including minors.

How many years does he face?

In the context of Diddy’s legal troubles, the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charge plays a crucial role in the prosecution’s case. According to the FBI, RICO laws allow authorities to target organizations or individuals engaged in patterns of criminal behavior over time, including activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, extortion, and fraud. 

In Diddy’s case, federal prosecutors have included RICO charges as part of the broader criminal indictment, alleging that he orchestrated a "freak off" sex trafficking operation, which involved drugging and coercing victims into sex acts. These allegations suggest a coordinated, long-term pattern of criminal behavior, which is a key component of what RICO is designed to address. The RICO charge helps prosecutors target not only Diddy but also any associates or business entities that may have been involved in a broader criminal enterprise.

As part of the case, Diddy faces allegations of racketeering, which could lead to significant penalties if convicted, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines, highlighting the severity of the charges.

‘Freak Offs’

The "Freak Offs" are described by federal prosecutors as private parties organized by Diddy, where participants were allegedly drugged and coerced into performing sex acts. These gatherings, at times, reportedly involved minors. Diddy is accused of trafficking victims and providing drugs to facilitate the abuse. Authorities are investigating further claims that these "Freak Off" parties were part of a larger pattern of sex trafficking.

History of Diddy

Diddy, originally known as Puff Daddy, became famous in the 1990s when he founded Bad Boy Records. He launched the careers of iconic hip-hop artists like The Notorious B.I.G., and the label became one of the most successful in the music industry. Diddy expanded his influence into fashion with Sean John, and into television with the reality show "Making the Band." His business savvy and larger-than-life persona made him a dominant figure in pop culture.

1999 NYC nightclub shooting

In 1999, Diddy was involved in a shooting at a nightclub in New York City, which led to charges of bribery and weapon possession. The shooting occurred while Diddy was dating Jennifer Lopez. He was acquitted of all charges. Although this event does not relate directly to the current trial, it is part of Diddy's controversial history.

Who are Diddy’s family members?

Diddy has six biological children with various women, including Kim Porter and Sarah Chapman. He is also the father of Quincy Brown, Porter’s son from a prior relationship. His family has been central to his public image, with his children and his late ex-partner Kim Porter making regular appearances in the media. Porter’s tragic death in 2018 deeply affected Diddy, and he has publicly spoken about the impact it had on his life.

• MORE: Diddy family tree: The rapper’s kids, their moms, and Kim Porter explained
• MORE: Who was Kim Porter? Diddy's ex partner, mother of 3, since passed

When was Diddy arrested and what happened?

Diddy was arrested in October 2024 at a New York City hotel on charges related to sex trafficking and drugging victims. A newly released video shows the moment of his arrest, which included his handcuffing and questioning. Authorities continue to investigate his connections to "Freak Off" parties and potential human trafficking.

• MORE: Video shows Diddy arrested at NYC hotel

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