Dawn Richard says she wasn’t alone in witnessing Sean “Diddy” Combs’ abuse.
On her second day of testifying in the federal trial involving the music mogul (who is accused of racketeering, sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion, as well as transporting individuals for prostitution), the 41-year-old woman recounted an alleged incident from 2010 where Combs struck his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, forcefully at a West Hollywood restaurant in California. She also mentioned that Usher was present during this event.
According to NBC News, Richard testified on May 19 that Mr. Combs struck Cassie in the abdomen during their private discussion. Upon being hit, she bent forward and departed instantly.
Beyond Usher, Richard also claimed that other artists such as singer Ne-Yo, executive Jimmy Iovine, and rapper Big Daddy Kane were among those who were there too, in addition to him, who gained fame as a member of the girl group Danity Kane, which was created on Combs’ show Making the Band in 2004.
I’ve attempted to contact representatives of Usher, Ne-Yo, and Jimmy Iovine for their insights, but I haven’t received a response from them as of now.
As Richard and Ventura prepared to depart following the reported restaurant incident, Richard claimed that another scuffle occurred involving Combs (who denies all accusations) and his former girlfriend.
Richard went on with his account, saying we got into the car to return to her home. Combs then seized her, struck her, hit her mouth, and demanded she be silent. The remainder of the journey was met with an eerie silence.
Last week, the former member of Danity Kane – who filed a civil lawsuit against the founder of Bad Boy Records in September, claiming years of cruel working conditions that involved groping, assault, and false imprisonment – provided further details about other instances of Combs physically abusing her. Among these incidents was an alleged event from 2009, when he is said to have struck her with a skillet filled with eggs.
According to NBC News, during his May 16 testimony, Richard stated that he came downstairs and asked where his phone was. He then aggressively pushed her to the floor. In an attempt to protect herself, she fell to the ground, curled up into a ball, and covered her head.
On her second day of testifying, the singer who later teamed up with Combs in the group Diddy – Dirty Money (following Danity Kane’s breakup), claimed that the rapper involved in “I’ll Be Missing You” made threats towards her after she saw what was alleged to be a skillet incident.
In my testimony on May 19th, as reported by NBC News, I stated, “He warned me that we might disappear or even lose our lives.” Hearing those words left me taken aback and filled with fear. I couldn’t fathom that this could be the start of our adventure with the Dirty Money group.
Read on for all the revelations from the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
As an ardent admirer, I’m compelled to share a chilling revelation: Once upon a time, a close friend of Cassie Ventura’s took the stand on the 19th of May. This friend testified that they personally observed Sean “Diddy” Combs physically abusing Ventura during their getaway in Jamaica, and again at a residence he was leasing in the Hollywood Hills.
Kerry Morgan declared that her 17-year friendship with Ventura ended following an attack by Combs at his apartment in 2018. According to NBC News, she stated that Combs approached from behind and choked her, leaving finger marks on her neck, and struck her on the head with a wooden hanger. At the time, Cassie was in the bathroom; the blow landed near Morgan’s right ear.
In the course of our discussion, it transpired that she retained a legal representative, yet chose not to initiate a court case. Instead, she consented to putting her signature on a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), receiving $30,000 in return.
Morgan stated under oath, “I haven’t had a conversation with Sean since, and the last time I interacted with Cassie was when I put my signature on the Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Additionally, during her testimony, Morgan stated that she had already moved forward with her life, but she was compelled to appear due to a court order issued by the government.
She stated that she recommended Ventura to part ways with Combs, but she explained she couldn’t, due to her employment, her vehicle, and her residence.
During questioning from defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo, Morgan stated that she ceased communicating with Ventura due to his lack of support following the 2018 incident. She further explained, “I have a limit when it comes to physical violence.
Dawn Richard, formerly of Danity Kane, declared on May 16th that she observed him chasing his then-girlfriend Ventura with a skillet filled with eggs back in 2009.
In a court setting, as reported by The Washington Post, Richard stated that he descended the stairs in an angry state, shouting about the whereabouts of his eggs. He also blamed Cassie for always getting things wrong and demanded to know where his food was. Then, he approached the skillet containing the eggs and attempted to strike her on the head, causing her to fall to the ground.
Ventura “went into the fetal position,” Richard continued, “literally trying to hide her head.”
During “freak offs,” Combs didn’t have any drug mixtures added to the baby oil he preferred, according to Ventura’s testimony on May 15th.
2024 saw a legal claim made towards Combs in October, accusing him of adding GHB, also known as the ‘date rape drug’, into the oil he provided.
During a defense questioning session on May 15, Ventura stated that Combs could become envious and react in a volatile manner when she used drugs with others rather than with him.
She indicated that Combs had previously experienced an overdose due to painkillers. When questioned by defense attorney Anna Estevao about whether her former partner’s mood changes were related to the pills, Ventura responded affirmatively, stating that such issues were indeed a factor.
Earlier today, when someone inquired about Combs’ substance use habits, I responded by stating, “In my opinion, he was an addict.
Her response affirmed that Combs grew agitated or temperamental during his withdrawal period.
“I’m not a doctor,” Ventura said, but “coming off of certain pills he would be pretty irritated.”
During Ventura’s testimony on May 15, Judge Arun Subramanian temporarily halted the proceedings as Combs’ defense presented graphic emails and texts during their questioning.
When attorney Estevao showed Ventura sexually suggestive texts exchanged by them as a couple from 2009 to support that their relationship was consensual, the defense objected, and the judge agreed with this objection.
After the argument, Ventura was spotted talking quietly to the judge, at which point the court official unexpectedly declared a 10-minute recess.
Before the jury’s arrival, a vigorous disagreement unfolded between prosecution and defense, with the main defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, pressing for additional texts to be presented in court. However, the judge expressed concern that certain messages breached federal guidelines regarding evidence.
To my absolute delight, a variety of pieces of evidence were allowed in court, shedding light on the intimate details of Drew’s and Ozzie’s relationships. (First-person narration of an obsessed fan)
On May 15, Ventura admitted that she couldn’t definitively say how many instances, which she referred to as “freak offs,” she participated in with Combs. However, she estimated that the number was around hundreds.
She claimed that her former partner secretly recorded their intimate acts with the intention of threatening or extorting her. She mentioned that he warned her he would distribute these recordings, potentially damaging her professional reputation.
Ventura explained that he often brought up the issue when he felt upset about something, stating it was quite frequent. However, it was a source of great fear for him, not just for his career but also for his family. He described it as humiliating and awful, something that no one should subject anyone else to.
On May 14th, Ventura testified that she received a $20 million settlement from her former boyfriend Combs, following a lawsuit she filed against him in November 2023. The lawsuit alleged that he had sexually assaulted and physically abused her throughout their relationship.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: Last year in 2018, I had an unfortunate encounter. After enjoying a pleasant dinner with Diddy in Malibu, he escorted me back to my apartment. However, instead of upholding the respectful interaction we had earlier, his behavior turned inappropriate and crossed a line. It’s important to clarify that at the time of this incident, I was already in a relationship with Alex Fine, whom I later married in 2019.
She testified, “I entered the house, and then he followed, violently attacking me on the living room carpet. All I can recall is sobbing, pleading for him to stop, but it happened so quickly. His eyes seemed lifeless, as if possessed, leaving me feeling helpless and violated.
Comb’s lawyers have consistently argued that he did not partake in any acts of sexual activity without consent, and that the individuals accusing him of sexual misconduct had given their consent for any sexual activities they were involved in.
Testified Ventura, she engaged in consensual sexual activity with Combs on another instance following the alleged attack. Asked for her reason behind repeating such act with Combs, she replied, “You can’t simply switch feelings off like that. I still held a positive image of him as an individual.
Back in late 2011, I found myself parting ways with Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi. The reason for our split was a serious one: I felt threatened due to comments made by Diddy, suggesting that Scott’s vehicle could be targeted for destruction. It was an unfortunate turn of events, but my safety and well-being always come first.
Ventura stated to the court that the situation carried an excessive risk, with an unpredictable outcome should they continue their meetings. He mentioned that Sean had threatened them both with harm.
Departures from Ventura were accompanied by urinary tract infections, mouth ulcers, and gastrointestinal problems, as she testified on May 14.
In my passionate enthusiasm, I found myself engaged in repeated bouts that we affectionately called “freak offs.” These battles were one after another, and at times, I even participated in a “freak off” while battling an infection. Desperate for relief, I attempted to wash it away with water. Unfortunately, the antibiotic CIPRO became ineffective, leaving me in a state of utter chaos.
She continued, “It was really painful for a long time. I can’t believe I actually dealt with that.”
In one of the texts presented in court, Ventura informed Combs that she had ulcers on her tongue. His response was, “I apologize.
On his second day as a witness, Ventura described the 2016 hotel incident that was captured on security cameras and broadcast by CNN in May 2024.
She stated that Combs hurled a vase towards her following an attempt to exit the Intercontinental Hotel, preceded by a physical attack on her.
Ventura stated during his testimony on May 14 that the vase seemed to be moving towards him. It struck the wall instead of him. He didn’t receive any impact, but he was being shouted at by the person involved. That person appeared to have thrown it at him, although Ventura can’t recall the exact words used. He’s confident the individual was using a name other than his own.
However, she said that Combs told her “that I wasn’t going to leave him, that I couldn’t.”
Shortly following the hotel incident, Ventura mentioned that she needed to attend the premiere of her movie “The Perfect Match” sporting bruises on her face and body alongside Combs. To mask her black eye and swollen lip, she also had to apply a lot of makeup. Furthermore, she explained that she had several bruises on her legs, so she altered her outfit for the event.
On May 13, the singer declared that Combs assaulted her in a Los Angeles hotel corridor back in March 2016, as he was enraged over her leaving a “freak off,” an altercation. (Footage of the incident captured by hotel security cameras was made public by CNN in 2024. However, the defense’s attempt to keep this video from being presented as evidence was unsuccessful.)
Ventura explained to the court that he decided to depart. Afterwards, Sean accompanied him into the corridor and forcefully grabbed him, pushing him down, kicking him, and dragging him back to the room before collecting his belongings.
Initially, she didn’t wish to take part, but she had a film premiere scheduled just a few days ahead, and she wanted to keep Combs content. She put it this way: “If I could win him over with a little surprise,” Ventura said, “then my event would go off without a hitch.
After he inflicted a black eye on her, she added, “At that moment, all I could focus on was escaping there safely. My debut was coming up and I didn’t want to ruin it.” Upon being shoved to the floor in the hallway, Ventura mentioned, she chose to remain down because “I didn’t want him to inflict any more harm than he already had.
Testified Ventura, she consumed alcohol and ecstasy during her initial sexual encounter with an escort in Combs’ presence. To endure what she referred to as “freak offs,” she admitted to using marijuana, ketamine, mushrooms, or whatever the popular drug was at that time.
“I couldn’t imagine myself doing any of that without having some sort of buffer,” she said.
At times, she’d become so overwhelmed that she’d end up “really retching” during heated arguments, Ventura explained, and Combs would urge me to carry on regardless.
She expressed to Combs that the hurtful remarks he made left her feeling extremely bad about herself, even worthless, according to Ventura. However, he seemed to disregard her worries with a casual response.
Following an unexpected incident, it appears that baby oil spread throughout the hotel room, according to Ventura’s testimony. If Combs had given orders for someone to wet the bed, stains might be found on the sheets. Furthermore, if she was menstruating at the time, there could also be blood spots on the sheets and furniture.
According to Ventura, being urinated on left her feeling deeply embarrassed. She expressed that the situation was revolting and overwhelming. She struggled, wishing she wasn’t in this position, as it was one she found difficult to escape.
Ventura stated, “It was something that excited him, so the event transpired,” Ventura said. When questioned by prosecutor Emily A. Johnson about why she didn’t resist Combs’ instructions in these instances, she responded, “I believed it was clear that I didn’t wish to comply.
Testified on May 13, Ventura stated that Combs instructed her and the other participants of the “freak off” event to apply baby oil onto their bodies.
She stated in court, “Sean preferred it hot and shiny, so we applied it every five minutes.
At a surprising incident at the Montage Beverly Hills, Ventura recounted that Combs requested her to enter an inflatable pool full of baby oil, all while she was dressed in clothing.
She wasn’t keen on it, but if it was something Combs desired to occur, well, that was what was going to transpire, she explained. “We employed ten standard-size bottles of baby oil,” she added.
In my expert opinion, during the initial phase of my ten-year bond with Diddy, I was approached with a unique proposition: incorporating voyeurism into our intimate moments. This unconventional step started when I decided to engage an escort and orchestrate a setup that allowed me to “perform” for him, with another person in the room as his audience.
Over time, she explained, organizing sexual shows that Combs referred to as “freak offs” essentially turned into a full-time occupation for her, with these performances lasting between 36 hours and four days.
She remembered, “At first, Sean arranged everything, including making the necessary arrangements in the hotel room, and I went along with it.
Ventura said that her “stomach churned” when he first proposed the experience.
She admitted she didn’t initially understand why it would arouse him, but she took on the task. She was perplexed, anxious, yet deeply cared for him and desired his happiness. It wasn’t an action she eagerly embraced, especially not as frequently as it evolved, but her love for him overpowered these feelings.
She admitted, “At some point, I felt I didn’t have much of a choice.”
In a statement made public, Ventura claimed that Combs often displayed violent behavior towards her during the period of their on-again, off-again relationship spanning from 2007 to 2018.
She told the jury that the disagreements between us were indeed intense, often escalating into acts of physical violence. He would forcefully strike my head, push me to the ground, drag me across the floor, and even kick me.
I’m so passionate about this, I just can’t help but share! You know, she’d frequently sport telltale signs of her battles – knots on the forehead, shiner and swollen eyes, and a body adorned with various bruises. It’s a testament to her unwavering determination!
On May 13th, it was prepared for Ventura to testify following Daniel Philip, a male escort. Combs’ legal team asked that she be seated in the witness stand prior to the jury’s entrance, as she is currently eight months pregnant.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo stated to the judge, “I believe there’s a biased aspect,” suggesting that pregnancy can evoke feelings of empathy or admiration.
It’s apparent that Ventura was called in later, which suggests that his legal team didn’t succeed in their initial motion, meaning they were unable to prevent the jury from being selected.
On one particular instance when Ventura didn’t immediately respond to Combs’ call for her, Philip testified on May 12 that Combs angrily hurled a liquor bottle in her vicinity, then forcefully grabbed her by the hair and pulled her into the bedroom. “She was screaming,” Philip recalled, and from another room, it sounded like he was hitting her. Philip also heard Combs say, “‘I tell you to come here, you come here now, not later.’
Phillip said he was “terrified” and did not intervene.
As a diligent bystander, I can attest to having overheard what appeared to be a disturbing incident involving Mr. Combs allegedly assaulting Ventura in a separate instance at the Essex House hotel in New York. The sounds of distress echoed through the corridors – a woman’s apologies followed by the unmistakable slaps and bangs reverberating around the room. Peeking around the corner, I witnessed Mr. Combs exiting the hotel naked or barely covered by a towel.
Ventura exited the room and leaped onto Philip’s lap, as he stated later on. He went on to say, “She seemed to be trying to reassure me that ‘everything will be alright’ and ‘I’ll manage fine,'” but Philip countered with, “This is not acceptable and you need professional assistance.
“I tried to explain to her that she was in real danger if she stayed with him,” Phillip said.
In response to a question posed by prosecutor Maureen Comey, Philip explained that he didn’t contact the police because he viewed Combs as someone with immense authority, and there was a possibility that even if he had reported the matter, his life could still have been at risk.
Daniel Philip claimed that during the specified period, he was operating a male dance show. He testified that he received “a few thousand dollars” for engaging in sexual activities with Ventura, while Combs watched at New York’s Gramercy Hotel in 2012. Philip identified Combs by his voice, despite the fact that Combs was wearing a robe, a baseball cap, and a bandanna concealing his face.
Ventura compensated him and mentioned, “I’ll give you a tip when you depart,” Philip informed the court. “Subsequently, we engaged in sexual activity, applied baby oil to one another for a few moments. [Combs] was seated in a corner pleasuring himself.
Afterward, the witness continued, Ventura gave him “a couple of thousand more.”
Philip shared that he was reached out to on various occasions during the following year for similar experiences with both Ventura and Combs at different hotels and their homes in New York. He revealed that Combs filmed him and Ventura engaging in sexual activities one or two times, and sometimes Combs would step in and have sex with Ventura while Philip was present.
In the lawsuit she filed in 2023 against her former partner for allegations of sexual assault and physical violence, Ventura claimed that Combs coerced her into having intimate relations with male escorts.
According to Florez, Ventura appeared frightened. She huddled in the corner, with her hood up and herself concealed. Her facial features were hidden, as she was primarily in the corner. A shattered flower vase lay on the floor nearby.
After Ventura departed from the hotel, Florez stated that she had a noticeable purple eye. Following her exit, Florez and the desk manager ascended to the upper floors to discuss hotel regulations with Combs, as he believed. According to Florez, Combs assumed the desk manager was filming him on his phone and attempted to seize it. In response, Florez claimed that Combs then tried to take his own phone, and he restrained Combs against a wall. “We told him we weren’t recording him,” Florez testified, “and diffused the situation.
As a lifestyle advisor, I’d like to share an intriguing update from my perspective: In May 2024, footage surfaced on CNN depicting an altercation that seemed violent. However, during court proceedings, I had the opportunity to view this slowed-down surveillance video, which was initially alleged by the defense to have been sped up, potentially exaggerating the intensity of the incident involving Combs and Ventura. Additionally, the jury was presented with a separate video, taken by Florez on his cell phone, responding to a distress call on the sixth floor. This video was recorded at the time when a woman needed help.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: In my personal account, I didn’t contact the authorities immediately since Ventura declined to discuss the incident and expressed her desire to depart.
During the March 5, 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel, Los Angeles Police Officer Israel Florez served as a security guard. It was during this time that Combs allegedly assaulted Ventura. In her opening statement, Geragos described the surveillance footage of the attack, initially released by CNN in May 2024, as “compelling evidence of domestic violence,” primarily concerning infidelity discovered on a cell phone, rather than sex trafficking.
On May 12th, Florez testified that he witnessed signs of a scuffle on the day in question, and Combs subsequently offered him a pile of cash to overlook the incident.
During questioning, Florez stated that he was absolutely certain he perceived Combs’ action as an attempt to bribe him.
During her initial remarks, the defense lawyer, Teny Geragos, expressed that the prosecution aims to portray consensual sexual acts as instances of sex trafficking. However, she stated emphatically that this attempt will be unsuccessful.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man,” she said, “but this is not a complicated case.”
The discussion here revolves around the private, intimate aspects of Sean Combs’ personal life, which are unrelated to his legitimate business dealings.
She informed the court that her client exhibited aggressive behavior, used illicit substances, and had anger management problems. However, it’s important to note that he isn’t on trial for being rude or unpleasant. The charges against him do not pertain to his behavior as a jerk or an unkind individual.
As a devoted adherent, I affirm that the evidence presented will reveal an individual with significant flaws. However, it will not portray them as a racketeer, a perpetrator of sex trafficking, or someone engaged in transportation for the purpose of prostitution.
Courtroom reporter from NBC News stated that Prosecutor Emily Johnson alleged Defendant Combs employed an extensive team to execute unlawful activities, including multi-day “freak offs,” as outlined in the federal indictment.
She informed the court that he occasionally referred to himself as a king, demanding to be treated accordingly to fulfill his every whim. His businesses were allegedly used to coerce women into having sexual encounters with male escorts in his presence. He and his closest associates ensured all his wishes were granted.
Johnson commenced her speech to the jury by portraying Combs as an extraordinarily impactful individual who oversaw a criminal organization.
Johnston emphasized an instance of the alleged crime, stating to the jury that the founder of Bad Boys Record was “actively seeking” Ventura one evening following the news of her starting a romantic relationship with someone else. Johnston claimed Combs attacked “her violently, kicking her in the back and tossing her around recklessly,” after discovering her.
He made a threat, saying that if she disobeys him once more, he would expose videos of her engaging in intimate acts with male escorts – mementos of the most shameful moments of her past,” she went on.
The prosecutor alleged that Combs’ inner circle covered up “crime after crime.”
As a dedicated follower, I would rephrase the given sentence as: Judge Arun Subramanian expressed his belief that this trial might come to an end by July 4th. He mentioned that he is hopeful we can wrap up by then, but acknowledged that it could extend past that date, although he doesn’t anticipate that happening.
On the opening day of his sex trafficking trial on May 12, both Janice Combs, his mother, and six of his oldest children were there to show their support.
Quincy Brown, Christian “King” Combs, Jessie Combs, D’Lila Combs (Kim Porter’s kids), Justin Combs (Misa Hylton’s son), and Chance Combs (Sarah Chapman’s daughter) – all his children from various relationships – had the opportunity to embrace their father before he met with his lawyers.
In the agreement between the prosecution and Combs’ legal team, they decided on an 12-person jury consisting of eight men and four women, along with four male and two female alternates for the trial proceedings.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, contended that the prosecution appeared to be deliberately excluding prospective Black jurors. He asserted this could indicate a pattern, and urged the judge to require justification for these dismissals.
On the contrary, Prosecutor Maurene Ryan Comey refuted the allegations, stating, “We’ve acted impartially throughout this process. Our jury is multicultural, featuring several non-white members.
12 jurors reside in New York City or Westchester, among them are:
* A 69-year-old man who is an actor and masseur.
* A 31-year-old male investment analyst.
* A 51-year-old male scientist.
* A 30-year-old woman who works at a deli.
* A 42-year-old female nursing home aide.
* A 41-year-old male communications clerk at a correctional facility.
* A 68-year-old retired banker.
* Another 68-year-old retiree from the telecommunications industry.
* A 43-year-old female physician assistant.
* A 39-year-old male social worker.
* A 67-year-old male logistics analyst.
* A 74-year-old female treatment coordinator.
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2025-05-20 03:18