What witnesses told Court as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sex trafficking trial begins

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Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial began on Monday, with opening statements and shocking testimonies that gave the public a disturbing glimpse into the allegations.

Combs faces five federal charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

He has strongly denied all accusations.

Prosecutors said Combs used his celebrity status to run a “criminal enterprise” that involved drug-fueled “freak offs” — sex parties with paid workers.

They claimed he used violence and intimidation to force people, including ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, to participate.

The defense admitted Combs could be jealous and physically aggressive, but argued that everything was consensual.

They stated, “His physical abuse and love of baby oil were not federal crimes.”

The first witness was a former hotel security guard named Florez.

He testified about a 2016 incident between Combs and Cassie at the InterContinental Hotel. Florez said Combs held up a $100 bill and a “sack of money,” which he believed was a bribe. “100%,” he said when asked if he took it that way.

Florez also recorded videos of the aftermath, saying he wanted proof for his wife because she might not believe the story otherwise.

One video showed him motioning Cassie into a room; another captured him calling his supervisor.

He didn’t include in his report that Combs told Cassie she couldn’t leave, saying he didn’t consider it “a significant fact.”

Next to testify was Daniel Phillip, a male escort and stripper. He told the court he was hired around 2012–2013 to have sex with Cassie while Combs watched. He said he expected a strip tease job for $200, but ended up having sex with Cassie and was paid thousands more.

“We ended up having sex, rubbed baby oil on each other for a couple minutes.

He (Combs) was sitting in a corner masturbating,” Phillip said.

Phillip claimed Combs started giving specific instructions during the encounters, including how to role play, when to orgasm, where to ejaculate, and what acts to perform.

“He started really directing us after the second time,” he testified.

He also said Combs offered him drugs, which he declined. In one instance, he arrived to find Cassie half on and half off the couch, appearing “completely passed out.” Combs told him, “I don’t think this is going to happen today.”

Phillip recounted a disturbing incident at the Essex Hotel. He said he heard Cassie yelling, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” and sounds of someone being slapped and slammed. He claimed Combs exited the room, possibly wearing only a towel, and Cassie ran out shaking and jumped into his lap.

“She basically tried to convince me that ‘it’s OK’ and ‘I’ll be OK,’” Phillip said. “And I said, ‘It is not OK and you need to get help.’”

Another time, Phillip said Cassie didn’t come to Combs immediately when he called for her. “I heard him yell out, ‘Babe, come here,’” he recalled. When she delayed, Combs allegedly threw a liquor bottle at the wall, dragged her by her hair, and slapped her.

Phillip said he was terrified and didn’t intervene, noting that several bodyguards were present in the other room.

He also testified that Combs intimidated him into silence. “He asked for my driver’s license and took a picture of it and said, ‘It’s just for insurance,’ that if I spoke about it to anybody, I understood it to be that he was threatening me.”

The day ended with the defense beginning their cross-examination of Phillip. He is scheduled to return to the stand on May 13.

Judge Arun Subramanian instructed him not to speak to his attorney overnight.

The trial is expected to continue for eight to ten weeks.

(NBC)