Jury Selection Underway in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex-Trafficking Trial
Share this @internewscast.com

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former executive assistant testified on Wednesday, having reached an arrangement to sign an immunity agreement in return for his testimony.

CNN reported that George Kaplan exercised his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination upon being subpoenaed to testify. Judge Arun Subramanian announced he will issue an immunity order necessitating Kaplan’s testimony.

Kaplan mentioned that he began his career at Combs Enterprises in 2013, serving as an executive assistant to the chief operating officer. He further revealed that he earned $125,000 while working 80 to 100 hours each week.

According to CNN, Kaplan recalled stocking Combs’ hotel rooms with various items — including candles, liquor, baby oil, and personal lubricant. Kaplan said he was also responsible for cleaning up the hotel rooms, which included discarding bottles of liquor and baby oil.

Kaplan also alleged that he was tasked with picking up drugs for Combs. One of the instances reportedly involved retrieving MDMA for Combs, while the other time he picked up an unknown substance.

Kaplan’s testimony is expected to continue on Thursday.

Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, previously testified that Combs “stifled” her music career while forcing her to participate in “freak offs,” which often entailed her having sex with other men in Combs’ presence. Ventura said the drug-fueled ordeals left her sleep-deprived and dehydrated, as they would last for days on end.

Ventura said Combs “often” injured her during these rendezvous.

Another witness, Daniel Phillip, said he was a male stripper when he was paid to have sex with Ventura at a New York hotel while Combs watched and masturbated. The alleged arrangement lasted about a year or two, and Phillip testified that Ventura appeared to “be on drugs” during at least one of the encounters.

Phillip stated that he watched Combs throw a liquor bottle at Ventura when she did not walk over to him fast enough. Phillip then dragged her to another room and possibly smacked her. He recounted another instance where he overheard Combs hitting Ventura as she said, “I’m sorry.” Phillip said Combs left the hotel, and Ventura ran to him and sat on his lap.

Additionally, Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard testified that she witnessed Combs punching Ventura in the stomach at a restaurant in 2010. Richard alleged that various celebrities were present when Combs assaulted Ventura — including singers Usher and Ne-Yo, and Beats Electronics CEO James lovine. She also claimed she saw Combs try to throw a skillet filled with eggs at Ventura in 2009.

Combs was arrested on September 16, 2024, outside a Manhattan hotel on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has been denied bail three times, as Judge Andrew L. Carter determined there was a “serious risk” of witness tampering in this case.

Federal authorities raided Combs’ homes in Holmby Hills, California, and Miami in March 2024. Reports indicated that the raids were connected to an ongoing sex trafficking investigation that resulted in his arrest months later.

The reported raids also occurred four months after Ventura accused him of sex trafficking and abuse. In a multimillion-dollar lawsuit, she alleged that Combs drugged her and forced her to have sex with other men. The pair settled the lawsuit a day after its filing.

However, in May, the video surfaced showing Combs assaulting Ventura. After the video was released, Combs put out a video expressing remorse for his behavior.

Two more accusers came forward a week after Ventura’s lawsuit. One of the women claimed Combs drugged and raped her at Syracuse University in New York in 1991. Combs denied those allegations before a third accuser, Liza Gardner, levied similar allegations against him.

Combs turned down a plea deal days before jury selection began. His trial is expected to last two months.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Judge: Trump Administration ‘Clearly’ Breached Court Order

President Donald Trump addresses the press upon his arrival for a House…

Defendant Arrested at Obama’s Home in Jan. 6 Case Found Guilty on All Charges

The Justice Department’s court exhibits display an image posted on Facebook by…

Court Blocks Man’s Deportation Citing Alien Enemies Act

President Donald Trump smiles as he speaks in the Oval Office of…

Police Seek Public Assistance to Identify Individuals Connected to Downtown Shooting on May 18

Release from Gainesville Police Department GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early on Sunday, May…

Former Officer Spotted at Stagecoach Festival Despite Disability Claim: DA

Background: Scene of the Stagecoach Festival (Stagecoach Festival/YouTube). Inset: Nicole Brown (Westminster…

Chef Overwhelmed with Emotions in Hospital Post-Lunch Incident, Says Court

Accused triple murderer Erin Patterson “became emotional” and cried about her children…

Trump Administration Requests Court to Keep Abrego Garcia Documents Sealed

President Donald Trump pauses as he speaks in the Oval Office of…

Father Fatally Injures 5-Year-Old Daughter, Citing Dispute with Ex, Police Report

Inset: Zachary Arnold (Indianapolis Metro Police Department). Background: The east Indianapolis residence…

“Husband in Arizona Fatally Attacks Wife with Baseball Bat, Drives Over 100 Miles with Her Body”

An Arizona man is behind bars after allegedly admitting to fatally beating…

Two Men Charged Following Sydney Raids Yielding $130,000 and Drugs

Two men have been charged after police uncovered $130,000 in cash, drugs,…

Lawsuit Alleges Faulty Tires on Rental Dodge Charger in Fatal Accident

Background: The U.S. District courthouse in Cleveland, Ohio (Google Maps). Inset: Robert…

Court in California Halts Temecula School Board’s Ban on CRT

Main: Photo of California Court of Appeal, Fourth District (California Judiciary). Inset:…