Sean “Diddy” Combs is speaking out on his relationship with ex Cassie Ventura.
Just a day before the music executive-who was convicted of two offenses related to prostitution in July, but found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking-is scheduled for sentencing, he wrote a letter to the judge. In the letter, he discussed surveillance footage from 2016 showing him physically attacking the singer of “Me & U” in a hotel corridor. This footage had been a key piece of evidence in the case.
In a letter to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, obtained by NBC News on Oct. 2, Combs, 55, wrote, “The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie replay in my head every day.” He continued, “I completely lost control. I was absolutely wrong to hurt the woman I loved. I am and always will be sorry for that.”
He went on to say that experiencing domestic violence would always be a difficult weight for him to bear. He described it as encompassing feelings of remorse, sorrow, regret, disappointment, and shame.
Sean Combs-father to Christian “King” Combs, Justin Combs, Quincy Brown, Chance Combs, Jessie Combs, D’Lila Combs, and Love Combs-also mentioned that having children made it more difficult to justify his past behavior.
He admitted feeling conflicted, stating, “I find it difficult to excuse something I wouldn’t tolerate from others – specifically, if someone harmed one of my daughters.” He continued, “That’s what makes self-forgiveness so challenging. It feels like a lasting injury, leaving a permanent scar.”
TopMob News has reached out to Ventura’s rep for comment but has not heard back.
During the trial of Combs earlier this year, Ventura, 39, played a crucial role as a witness for the prosecution. She shared details of the physical and emotional abuse she experienced throughout her ten-year relationship with the hip-hop artist. (Their relationship had been on-and-off, but they officially separated in 2018.)
This week, Judge Subramanian-the judge overseeing Combs’ case-rejected a motion from Combs’ lawyers asking for both an acquittal and a retrial. The judge stated, in a ruling seen by Deadline, that prosecutors presented “significant proof of Combs’ guilt under the Mann Act multiple times concerning” Ventura and another former partner known only as Jane.
The evidence included statements from Ventura and Jane, accounts from the escorts who were present, and content from text messages and emails, the ruling stated. The government demonstrated its case repeatedly and convincingly.”
Although Cassie hasn’t made a public statement regarding Combs’ apology, her attorney Douglas Wigdor has previously shared details about her and her team’s reaction to his guilty verdicts.
“She demonstrated remarkable courage and highlighted the problematic behavior of influential figures, as well as the decades of misconduct that have gone unpunished,” Wigdor stated in a July 2nd statement to TopMob News. “This case showed that significant improvements are urgently needed, and we remain dedicated to supporting those who have experienced harm.”
Keep reading for more details on Combs’ sex trafficking trial…
In July, Judge Arun Subramanian set Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ sentencing date for October 3, 2025. The judge rejected Combs’ request for release on bail before the sentencing, explaining that the rapper had a “years-long pattern of violence” and should remain in jail.
Following the trial, where Combs was acquitted of charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking involving both Cassie Ventura and a woman known as “Jane“-but convicted of transporting them for the purpose of prostitution-the singer’s attorney responded to the court’s decisions.
The legal case began when our client, Cassie Ventura, bravely filed a civil lawsuit in November 2023,” Douglas Wigdor stated in a July 2nd announcement to TopMob News. “While the jury didn’t find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie with enough evidence, her actions allowed them to find him guilty of transporting someone for the purpose of prostitution. By sharing her story, Cassie has significantly impacted both the entertainment world and the pursuit of justice.
Okay, so I was following everything with the charges – and Puff Daddy, I mean Combs, pleaded not guilty, which, honestly, I expected. But my lawyer, Wigdor, she just *had* to say what we all know is true! She added, and I’m quoting because it was *that* important, “We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial.” It’s just…amazing. I’m so glad someone is finally standing up for him. I totally believe him, and Wigdor gets it!
Wigdor also commended Ventura, one of the 34 people who testified during Combs’ 29-day trial, for her dedication and hard work.
He added that she demonstrated remarkable courage and shone a light on the harmful behavior of influential people and the decades of unchecked wrongdoing. “This case showed how urgently things need to change, and we remain committed to supporting those who have experienced trauma,” he said.
I was so relieved to hear that Combs was acquitted on three of the five charges in his federal case! Knowing he faced life in prison if found guilty on everything, I can only imagine the weight lifted off his shoulders. NBC News reporters in the courtroom said he immediately fell to his knees, bowing his head in what looked like a moment of prayer. It was a really powerful scene.
According to reports from the news outlet, Combs’ family members were in the courtroom, applauding and celebrating the outcome for the music executive. The lawyers representing Combs embraced one another, and Combs himself hugged attorney Brian Steel.
On July 2, the 12-member jury delivered their verdicts on the five federal charges Combs faced in his sex trafficking trial. The jurors, who were on their third day of deliberation, found himguilty of two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, relating to ex-girlfriendsVentura and a woman referred to as “Jane.”
Sean Combs-who maintained his innocence regarding all accusations-was acquitted of one charge of conspiring to commit racketeering and two counts related to sex trafficking.
The jury informed U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that they couldn’t agree on the racketeering charge before delivering their final decision, citing firmly held, differing opinions. Judge Subramanian spoke to the jury, urging them to keep discussing the case. They ultimately reached a verdict a few hours after resuming deliberations the following day.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik took nearly five hours – four hours and fifty minutes, to be exact – to summarize the case for the jury. She contended that Sean “Diddy” Combs consistently relied on intimidation, force, and the threat of violence to achieve his goals.
“He absolutely refuses to accept ‘no’,” she explained. “He considered it his domain, and everyone existed to fulfill his wishes.”
Slavik highlighted two incidents involving Sean Combs: a physical assault on his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016, and an alleged assault on his then-girlfriend in 2024, who is being referred to as “Jane” throughout the trial.
“These two incidents are separated by eight years, but they’re not separate stories,” she said. “They’re chapters in the same book, the story of Sean Combs and the criminal enterprise he led made up of his inner circle.”
She continued, stating that the criminal group consistently fulfilled the defendant’s wishes by using a deliberate cycle of violence, intimidation, and control. The defendant believed that keeping people silent and ashamed would conceal his offenses, and he felt his celebrity, riches, and influence meant he was exempt from legal consequences.
Slavik contended that during the trial, Combs benefited from the assistance of what she characterized as “a small army of personal staff”. Their primary focus, she explained, was to fulfill the defendant’s every need, enhance his influence, and safeguard his image no matter the cost.
The prosecution filed a document with the court asking for permission to change some details of their arguments regarding the attempted arson and kidnapping charges. They want to revise their existing theories on how these crimes were attempted.
Despite still being charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking – including accusations of kidnapping and arson – prosecutors stated in a letter dated June 24th that they had removed specific instructions from the charges. These removed instructions concerned attempted kidnapping under the laws of both California and New York, attempted arson under California law, and assisting with sex trafficking.
The government also stated it hopes that making the language easier to understand will not only make the instructions more straightforward, but also prevent any misunderstanding.
Combs told JudgeSubramanian that he will not take the stand during his sex trafficking trial.
The judge made it clear that, no matter what the rap mogul chose to do, “no one – not even the jury – could assume he was guilty just because he didn’t take the stand.”
Combs stated he had discussed with his team the possibility of not testifying, but he stressed that the ultimate decision to do so was “solely” his own.
“I’ve given this a lot of thought, and this is what I’ve decided,” he told the judge. “It’s my call, and I’m standing by it.”
According to Teny Garagos, Combs’ lawyer, both the defense and the prosecution anticipate needing “at least four hours” apiece to deliver their closing statements to the judge.
After Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello finished several days of testimony on June 24th as a witness for the prosecution, the defense will start presenting their case. Combs’ legal team announced they won’t be calling any witnesses and will instead concentrate on the evidence that has already been submitted.
During Ceriello’s testimony on June 23rd, the jury saw explicit videos. According to NBC News reporters present in the courtroom, these videos seemed to be recordings of Combs’ “freak offs” and were officially presented as evidence.
The special agent reported finding 50 explicit videos dated from 2021 and 2022, but the jury only viewed two of these files-using headphones and individual screens.
In voicemails to his former chief of staff Kristina Khorram played on June 23, Combs outlined a number of requests he had while staying at a hotel in November 2021. These included asking for more baby oil, something he said he often used when he became upset-referring to these moments as “freak offs.”
He told Khorram, “Have them call me before they start driving.” Then, seemingly frustrated, he added, “I can’t believe I’m being released. Put 20 bottles in this thing.”
In addition to extending her hotel stay by one day, Khorram responded, “OK. The baby oil is right outside the door.”
According to messages from a group chat, his previous employee messaged him saying she was setting up an IV drip for both him and Jane. He had apparently used this as part of a recovery process following at least one intense competition, referred to as a “freak off” in the texts.
She also made sure that there were Plan-B pills, an emergency contraceptive, in his nightstand.
The jury saw text messages exchanged between Combs and Ventura. In those messages, the singer of “Long Way 2 Go” openly described how the alleged abuse was affecting her.
In March 2017, after Combs inquired if Ventura – his on-again, off-again partner from 2007 to 2018 – wanted some space, she responded, “No. I simply don’t want to be criticized or diminished for standing up for myself, ever. Your actions make me feel unimportant.”
In another instance, she further accused her ex of physically assaulting her.
I offered you my love, but the moment I looked away, and you messed up, you physically assaulted me, pulling me by my hair. I’m 30 years old,” Ventura wrote to him that May. “This is no longer a game. Last night, I felt as though I was dying, and it was strangely comforting to witness my own strength and beauty even in that moment.”
Sean Combs’ previous assistant, Brendan Paul-who worked for him from 2022 to 2024-stated in court that he bought drugs for Combs several times. These drugs included “Marijuana, 2C, cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy.”
Paul explained that they would contact the drug dealer by text, and the dealer would then come to one of their houses. He also remembered being fired on several occasions for different reasons, including leaving a Lululemon fanny pack behind. He said he first met the dealer either through text messages or phone calls.
However, Paul vehemently denied being a “drug mule” for the rap mogul.
Judge Subramanian ended the court session for the day on June 18th because one of the jurors was unable to return due to feeling unwell. (The court will also be closed on June 19th for Juneteenth.)
The judge explained, “We’ve had a juror fall ill and unable to attend court. They experienced dizziness-vertigo-and had to return home.” The judge continued, “The juror’s partner informed us of the situation. Since this juror is a member of the main jury, it seems we won’t be able to proceed with the trial today.”
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following this case, and the judge has expressed some concern about a juror experiencing vertigo. It’s understandable – vertigo can cause really unpleasant symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and headaches. The judge rightly pointed out that we don’t yet know if this is just a temporary flare-up or something that could be ongoing. So, they’ve decided to monitor the situation closely, which is a sensible approach. It’s important to ensure all jurors are feeling their best to deliver a fair verdict. We’ll be keeping an eye on this and providing updates as they become available via our news feed.
Since the court is closed on June 19 for Juneteenth, Judge Subramanian stated the trial will continue on June 20 with a shorter day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Just after Judge Subramanian removed Juror No. 6 due to inconsistent answers about where he lives, another juror is now potentially facing removal. This is because of a reported inappropriate conversation about the case with a previous coworker. The juror was questioned by the judge and, according to NBC News, turned over his phone for review.
By the end of the court session on June 16, a decision about whether to dismiss the member had not yet been reached.
Kanye West showed up at the New York City courthouse on June 13th to support Sean Combs. The “Stronger” rapper spent roughly 30 minutes at the courthouse, briefly appearing in the waiting area but didn’t go inside the courtroom itself. The courtroom is specifically for Combs’ family, lawyers, and the media and public who waited a long time to get a spot.
Jane remembered a disagreement that happened after she took a trip to Las Vegas with a fellow rapper and his spouse.
I was shocked to hear her testimony. She described how things escalated after she reached out to Anton, a sex worker that she, and Combs, frequently used. Apparently, during the trip, a group of us ended up watching him have sex with a woman in a hotel room – it was a disturbing instance of sexual voyeurism, and I’m still processing it.
Jane informed Combs’ lawyer, Geragos, that the music executive was angry because he believed she had gone to another man’s “freak off.”
During the 21st day of the Combs trial, Maurene Comey, a U.S. assistant attorney, revealed that her legal team wants to dismiss one of the twelve jurors.
“We really didn’t want to submit this letter,” she explained to Judge Subramanian just before the jury came into the New York City courtroom. “It seemed like someone wasn’t being honest with the court, and that’s a major concern for us.”
Defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro-noting that Juror No. 6 is one of the Black jurors-requested a day or two to submit a written response and review relevant legal precedents.
Judge Subramanian stated he will delay making arrangements for the juror until a decision is reached.
Let me tell you, things got pretty heated between Jane and Garagos on June 10th. It was a really uncomfortable situation because Garagos strongly implied that Jane was, well, exchanging favors for expensive gifts. It was a deeply personal and inappropriate accusation, and honestly, it just felt like a low blow. I always advise my clients to maintain respectful communication, and this was definitely a breach of that. It’s never okay to insinuate something so damaging and private.
Geragos reviewed text messages from November 2021 exchanged between Jane and Combs. These messages revealed the witness was distressed to learn Combs was having sexual relations with other women. According to the texts, she questioned Combs about whether he had given one of these women “a Chanel bag” after their encounter.
Jane said that she didn’t get a Chanel purse from Combs, telling Garagos that she “got trauma.”
When the attorney asked what a Bottega bag was, she replied, “I’m sure you have one.”
And when Geragos asked how much the item costs, Jane asked, “How much does my body cost?”
Jane was granted a 10-minute break following the exchange.
Jane stated that in approximately 2022, she came to believe that Combs was a “cuckhold”-someone who derives enjoyment from observing their partner engaging in physical intimacy with another person-after researching their relationship and sexual interactions.
“It helped me understand things better,” she explained, describing her motivation for the research. “I was really trying to thoroughly investigate all the reasons why they found so much enjoyment in seeing their partner with other men.”
The witness suggested that Combs’ interest in “hotel nights”-experiences very similar to Ventura’s “freak offs”-might stem from him exploring his own sexuality.
She testified that some individuals might harbor a genuine curiosity but feel too embarrassed to explore it personally. Therefore, they might use a woman as a proxy to satisfy that curiosity without directly participating in the act.”
Jane stated that she gave Paul-an escort she and Combs hired several times-the nickname “Trifecta.” She explained that she chose the name because she felt their sexual connection was as strong and successful as that of top basketball players.
“I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq [O’Neil],” she told jurors. “Combs was Michael Jordan.”
She said Paul was “really nice,” and mentioned that if she “had to” engage with sex workers, she preferred “someone with a warm energy.”
Oh my gosh, you won’t *believe* what I heard in court! Apparently, Jane said that Puff’s relationship with Khorram was a *huge* issue – she actually called it a “point of contention“! And get this – it was causing problems in *her* romance with him! Can you even imagine? It was like, everything was amazing with her and Puff, but then Khorram would come around and it just…created tension. It’s just so messy, but I’m totally fascinated!
“She was constantly by his side,” Jane explained about Khorram. “It created problems for Sean and me. I think she felt very strongly about me, and that really affected how Sean behaved towards me.”
On June 10th, Judge Subramanian rejected a request for a mistrial from Combs’ lawyers. They had claimed that Ventura and her friend Bryana Bongolan weren’t truthful about Bongolan being threatened with being dropped from the 17th-floor balcony by the rapper.
His legal team, who had previously asked for a mistrial but were turned down, claimed in their latest filing that the prosecution engaged in “misconduct” by presenting “perjured testimony.”
The letter states, “In this case, the government presented evidence they knew, or should have known, was false. This relates to their claim that Mr. Combs threatened Bryana Bongolan by holding her over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016.” The letter argues, “To prevent an unjust conviction, the Court should declare a mistrial.”
Jane alleged that the rap mogul had beaten her for hours June 2024.
Jane stated that an argument started between her and Combs because he was seeing a woman much younger than him – 25 years younger, to be exact. She said this disagreement resulted in her calling him a “pedophile” and physically assaulting him by pushing his head into a marble kitchen counter.
I heard in court that she hid in the main bedroom, and then Sean Combs started trying to break the door down. (They actually showed pictures of the cracked door as evidence!) She testified that, as she was trying to get away, he kicked her in the back of her thigh, and that’s what caused her to fall. It was really upsetting to hear, and I believe her account of what happened. You can find more information about the case here.
She told the prosecution that he pinned her to the ground in a chokehold, lifting her up until she struggled to breathe and was forced to stand on her tiptoes. She said she was simply trying to escape his hold.
Jane stated she quickly left the house and concealed herself behind an outdoor wall for about two hours, waiting for him to go away, but he stayed. She explained that they then went back to his house, and she huddled in the backyard, trying to shield herself while Combs supposedly assaulted her.
Jane testified that the fight got worse after Combs supposedly hit her in the back. “He began punching my head,” she stated to the court. “He then started kicking me and repeatedly punched me while yelling various things.”
She alleged that he told her that she was “trying to take him away from his kids and his family.”
She testified that she told him, ‘No, I’m not. Please just leave me alone. Just go. Please stop.’ She said that then he grabbed her by the arm and hair and began dragging her back towards the house… pulling her by her hair and arm.”
Following the reported attack, Jane stated she noticed “two welts about the size of golf balls” on her forehead, and also had a black eye.
Jane stated that investigators with Homeland Security Investigations searched her home – which Sean Combs paid for in March 2023 – as well as several other properties owned by the music mogul. She explained that agents arrived at her house, and she immediately contacted Combs’ chief of security to inform him of the search.
Jane claimed that the powerful businessman threatened to share intimate videos of them with the father of her child in December 2023.
As Jane and Combs’ relationship worsened, she stated that he told her he had “nothing to lose” by making the videos public. She explained in court that it was “just back-to-back pressure phone calls.”
She told Khorram about what happened, and this conversation became part of the legal record. In her messages, Jane explained that Combs was threatening to release the video, and she stated that she felt like she was very heavily drugged at the time.
She also explained that she required “time away from” Combs to process “all the trauma” he had inflicted.
Jane told the court that Khorram assured her that Combs would not use the footage.
During her testimony, Jane stated that certain aspects of Ventura’s lawsuit from November 2023-which was eventually resolved-were similar to what she herself went through with Combs.
“I nearly passed out, and I believe I actually did,” she shared with the jury, tears welling up. “There were three particular pages that were a deeply upsetting reflection of what I was going through.”
Jane, a participant in the “hotel nights,” shared that the experience felt like she was reading her own story. This prompted her to reach out to Combs through text messages.
After seeing the lawsuit, I just… I felt completely shattered. It was like reading my *own* nightmare, my own sexual trauma laid bare. Honestly, I was physically sick. Every single detail, those drug-filled days and nights… it was all there, word for word! I knew, deep down, he’d do something like this. He totally gaslit me, made me question my own sanity, drove me absolutely crazy.
“I’m deeply upset and felt pressured to engage in sexual activity repeatedly,” the messages read. “You made me question my own feelings about the sexual trauma I experienced. I feel incredibly violated. What happened was sexual exploitation.”
Combs then called Jane and secretly recorded their conversation, which was later presented as evidence. During the call, he told her they “did these things together” and that he needed her “to be there” at “this is when” – referring to a specific time or event.
Jane, unaware she was being recorded, shared with Combs that she felt physically ill to her stomach after reviewing Ventura’s documents. She described feeling “sick” as a result.
I remember Jane telling me about her time with Combs and the “Hotel Nights” events. She said that, usually, she’d take ecstasy while she was with the male escorts, but there was this one night… she made a conscious decision *not* to use any drugs before, during, or after being intimate with three men. It was a big deal for her, apparently, and she wanted people to know she was clear-headed at least that one time. It really stuck with me.
She testified that she had been with several men that night. She vomited, and then Sean came in, saying, ‘You’ll feel better now. Let’s go outside.’
Jane said that at the end of the night, she felt “absolutely terrible.”
Oh my gosh, after 18 days of this amazing trial, Diddy’s lawyers – seriously, they’re fighting so hard for him! – filed for a mistrial on June 7th. They’re saying that Ventura and Bongolan were lying about that whole thing with Bongolan supposedly being threatened and dangled off the 17th-floor balcony by Diddy! Can you believe it? It’s all so dramatic! I’ve been following every detail and it’s just… shocking! I really hope Diddy wins this.
The legal team for Combs-after Judge Subramanian previously rejected their request for a mistrial-claimed the prosecution engaged in “misconduct” by presenting “perjured testimony.”
As a long-time observer of this case, I’ve been following the developments closely. According to a recent letter, the government presented evidence during the trial that they knew, or should have known, wasn’t true. This concerns statements they made about Mr. Combs allegedly holding Bryana Bongolan over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment back in September 2016. Because of this, the letter argues that allowing the trial to continue would be unfair, and a mistrial should be declared. It’s a really concerning development, and I think it highlights some serious issues with the prosecution’s case.
As a lifestyle and court observer, I’ve been following this case closely. The defense team is really challenging Bongolan’s account of what happened, claiming she wasn’t truthful and highlighting what they see as holes in her story. We’ll hear back from the prosecution on June 9, and the judge is expected to deliver his decision the very next day. It’s a tense situation, and I’ll be sure to keep you updated with any new developments – you can find more information on our website.
Jane stated in court that Combs started covering her rent in April 2023, after they had been together for about two years, and continues to do so. She explained that they had previously agreed, just a month before, that he would give her a regular monthly allowance.
“It happened during that ‘hotel night’-I recall that’s when Sean brought up this ‘love contract’ between the two of us,” she explained to the jury. “He was asking me how much money I’d want as an allowance each
month, just moving forward, that’s what he was going to do for me.”
She explained that they had disagreed about the amount of money – she had suggested $15,000, while he proposed $10,000 – regarding an allowance. “I then began searching for a different place to live and eventually moved into a new house, utilizing that financial plan,” she continued. “I really wanted a large and comfortable home for my child and me to share, a place where I could find peace and a better balance in our relationship. I had been giving him all of my affection, and this felt like his way of reciprocating and providing something for me.”
Jane stated that, according to their agreement, she was entitled to financial support “for everything without pressure for two years.”
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