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

Judges Appointed by Trump Disagree in E. Jean Carroll Lawsuit

Left: Journalist E. Jean Carroll departs from the courthouse after the damages…

Court Stops Trump’s Directive Aimed at Safeguarding US Elections

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the media at a joint press conference…

Parents Allegedly Serve Beer to Toddler at Bar, Claim It Was Tea: Police

Main, from left to right: Craig Banks and Paetyn Gregory (Coweta County…

Police Report: Man Kills Pregnant Girlfriend and Shoots Her Cousin

Inset: Tony Wray (Metropolitan Nashville Police Department). Background: The area surrounding The…

Man Releases Live Raccoon in Bar After Being Ejected: Police Report

Inset: Jonathan Mason (Murray Police Department). Background: The Big Apple Grill and…

Lawyers for Abrego Garcia seek penalties against Trump administration

Left: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen residing in Maryland who was…

Parents Go on Florida Vacation, Leaving Teenage Daughter Home Alone with Deceased Pets

A couple from upstate South Carolina is facing charges related to animal…

Couple from Ocala caught at Gainesville Walmart for stealing a car used in street racing

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two individuals from Ocala, Charlette Joleen Rothgeb,…

South Carolina Lawmaker Charged with 10 Counts of Child Pornography Distribution

A state legislator from South Carolina, who helped establish the ultra-conservative Freedom…

Sheriff vows to end violent protests by any means necessary, including lethal force

Brevard County, Florida Sheriff Wayne Ivey during a press briefing with Florida…

Judge Permits Trump Administration to Dismiss Education Department Staff

President Donald Trump attends the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington…

Trump Administration Files Lawsuit Against New York for Preventing Non-Violent ICE Arrests

Inset: President-elect Donald Trump on “Meet the Press” Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024…