Close Menu
Vivid Voice NewsVivid Voice News

    What's Hot

    Babu Owino admitted to the bar as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya

    May 23, 2025

    Uganda among 36 nations targeted in proposed US travel ban expansion

    June 15, 2025

    Tears in court as Eddie Mutwe appears in court on crutches, pleads for medical help

    May 21, 2025
    Explore More
    • Home
    • Entertainment
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
      • Columnists
      • Cartoon
    • Supplements
    • Jobs & Tenders
    • Radio Show
      • Podcasts
    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
    • Home
    • Entertainment
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
      • Columnists
      • Cartoon
    • Supplements
    • Jobs & Tenders
    • Radio Show
      • Podcasts
    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
    Vivid Voice NewsVivid Voice News
    • Home
    • News
      • Africa
        • East Africa
        • West Africa
        • Southern Africa
        • North Africa
        • Central Africa
      • Asia
        • China
        • India
      • Australia
      • Europe
      • Middle East
      • US & Canada
      • United Kingdom
    • Politics
    • Business
      • Economy
    • Culture
      • Lifestyle
      • Film & TV
      • Music
      • Art & Design
      • Books
    • Technology
    • Health
      • Fitness
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Athletics
      • Basketball
      • Boxing
      • Cricket
      • Golf
      • Rugby
      • Olympics
      • Motorsport
    • Travel
      • Tourism
      • Adventures
      • Culture & Experiences
      • Destinations
    Vivid Voice NewsVivid Voice News
    Home » US & Canada » Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs used fame and violence to abuse women, prosecutors claim as trial begins
    US & Canada

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs used fame and violence to abuse women, prosecutors claim as trial begins

    Michael WandatiBy Michael WandatiMay 13, 20255 Mins ReadNo Comments
    Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link Reddit Telegram
    Follow Us
    Google News
    Sean 'Diddy' Combs used fame and violence to abuse women, prosecutors claim
    Rapper, producer and entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs rose to fame in the 1990s, through a music career expanding into business enterprises that in 2022 took his net worth to a reported $1bn.

    NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — In opening statements at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial, prosecutors alleged that the hip-hop mogul leveraged his fame and engaged in violence to sexually abuse women, while the rapper’s legal team characterized his lifestyle as that of a “swinger.”  

    The 55-year-old defendant has entered a plea of not guilty to charges that include racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution.

    The court also heard testimony from the prosecution’s initial witnesses, including a security guard from the hotel where Mr. Combs is depicted in a widely circulated 2016 video assaulting his former girlfriend.  

    ADVERTISEMENT

    His testimony was followed by a man who claimed Mr. Combs abused his ex-girlfriend during paid sexual encounters involving the couple. Following the selection of a jury panel consisting of 12 members and six alternates on Monday morning, both the prosecution and Mr. Combs’ attorneys presented their respective cases.

    Prosecutor Emily Johnson accused Mr. Combs of exploiting his celebrity status and a “loyal” inner circle of employees to sexually abuse women and operate a criminal enterprise. Her focus centered on the two primary alleged victims in the case: Mr. Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, and another unnamed former girlfriend.  

    Prosecutors informed the court that Mr. Combs employed violence and threats to Ms. Ventura’s music career to coerce her into performing non-consensual, humiliating sexual acts with male prostitutes during so-called “freak-offs” that Mr. Combs filmed.

    The defendant “had the power to ruin her [Ms Ventura’s] life”, Ms. Johnson stated.

    As the prosecution outlined the allegations against Mr. Combs, he sat with a composed expression, wearing a grey sweater and trousers, his hands folded in his lap. Central to the government’s case is surveillance footage from 2016 showing Mr. Combs physically assaulting Ms. Ventura and dragging her by her hair in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.

    Lawyers for Mr. Combs acknowledged that the video evidenced Mr. Combs’ “flawed” character but argued against it indicating a broader criminal enterprise. “Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” asserted Teny Geragos, Mr. Combs’ attorney.

    Ms. Geragos suggested that Mr. Combs has a “bit of a different sex life” and shifted focus to the women accusing him, describing them as “capable, strong women” who chose to remain with the rapper.  

    They had “the freedom to make the choices that they made”, Ms. Geragos contended.

    The prosecution’s first witness, Israel Florez, a former security guard at the hotel where the assault video was filmed, testified that on the morning of March 5, 2016, he received a call regarding a “woman in distress” on the sixth floor of the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.  

    He recounted finding Mr. Combs there in a towel, slumped on a chair with a “devilish” look, and a broken vase on the floor. Ms. Ventura was cowering in the corner with her face covered, Mr. Florez said.

    Mr. Florez told prosecutors that Ms. Ventura repeatedly stated her desire to leave, but Mr. Combs forbade her from doing so.

    He testified that Ms. Ventura had a purple eye but declined to call the police and eventually left in a black SUV.

    Mr. Florez alleged that Mr. Combs later attempted to give him a wad of cash to “make it go away,” but he refused.

    Attorneys for Mr. Combs questioned the inconsistencies in Mr. Florez’s testimony, asking why certain details, such as Ms. Ventura’s bruised eye, were not included in his initial incident report.

    His testimony was followed by Daniel Phillip, a former manager of male strippers, who testified that he met Mr. Combs and Ms. Ventura after his employer asked him to fill in as a stripper for a bachelorette party.

    However, Mr. Phillip stated that he was greeted at a hotel by Ms. Ventura, who informed him it was her birthday and that her husband wished to give her a gift.

    Mr. Phillip told the court that he subsequently had sexual encounters with Ms. Ventura on multiple occasions, some lasting up to ten hours and sometimes involving drug use, while Mr. Combs watched and filmed.  

    He alleged witnessing Mr. Combs physically assault Ms. Ventura at least twice, including one instance where he dragged her by her hair as she screamed “I’m sorry.”

    Mr. Combs then returned to the room with Ms. Ventura and asked the two to engage in sexual activity again in his presence, Mr. Phillip testified.

    “I was shocked,” he said. “It came out of nowhere. I was terrified.”

    Mr. Phillip claimed on the stand that he did not contact the police due to fear that Mr. Combs was “someone with unlimited power” and that he could “lose his life” for reporting it.

    The trial is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, with Ms. Ventura expected to testify.

    At the crowded courthouse on Monday, Mr. Combs’ children, including his daughters, were seen holding hands. His mother was also photographed leaving the court alongside his publicist.

    Cassandra Ventura Diddy Sex Trafficking Charges Diddy Used Fame to Abuse Women Emily Johnson Sean 'Diddy' Combs Teny Geragos Video of Diddy Beating Ex-girlfriend Shown at Trial
    Michael Wandati
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn

    Michael Wandati is an accomplished journalist, editor, and media strategist with a keen focus on breaking news, political affairs, and human interest reporting. He is dedicated to producing accurate, impactful journalism that informs public debate and reflects the highest standards of editorial integrity.

    SPONSORED LINKS

    Related Posts

    ‘Diddy’ denied bail after being cleared of most serious charges

    By Michael WandatiJuly 3, 20254 Mins Read
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Latest Posts

    Two killed in Kangemi as Saba Saba protests turn deadly

    July 7, 2025

    Police retreat as protesters take over Kiserian streets on Saba Saba Day

    July 7, 2025

    Nairobi on lockdown as Gen Z-led Saba Saba protests grip Kenya

    July 7, 2025

    Kenya Railways suspends 10PM Mombasa-Nairobi SGR train ahead of Saba Saba protests

    July 6, 2025

    Police issue stern warning ahead of Saba Saba protests, emphasize lawful conduct

    July 6, 2025
    Trending Now

    AI Threatens to Push Human Fashion Models Out of the Picture

    Michael WandatiBy Michael WandatiJuly 15, 20248 Mins Read0

    Sakaja accused of using ‘Goon Z’ to disrupt Nairobi protests, echoing Kenya’s dark political tactics

    Michael WandatiBy Michael WandatiJune 21, 20255 Mins Read0

    Controversial Kenyan ‘miracle babies’ Bishop Gilbert Deya dies in tragic road accident

    Michael WandatiBy Michael WandatiJune 17, 20253 Mins Read0

    Strong winds and heavy rainfall lashes parts of the UK

    Michael WandatiBy Michael WandatiJanuary 26, 20252 Mins Read0

    Moi Kasarani Stadium to host CHAN 2025 Final as CAF brings tournament back to East Africa

    Michael WandatiBy Michael WandatiJune 19, 20252 Mins Read0
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe to News

    Get real-time breaking news alerts and stay up-to-date with the most important headlines from around the globe.

    Vivid Voice News is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Your trusted source for breaking news, bold opinions, and insightful stories from Africa and around the world. Stay informed, stay engaged.

    We're Social. Connect With Us:

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get real-time breaking news alerts and stay up-to-date with the most important headlines from around the globe.

    • Home
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Copyright © 2025. Vivid Voice News. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.