Pop star Usher and former President Barack Obama were among the high-profile names mentioned in testimony during the sex trafficking and extortion trial of rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs on Monday.
The court heard testimony from a number of Diddy’s former assistants, associates and his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, as the trial moves into its third week. Diddy’s trial began on March 5 with jury selection, while opening statements were made on May 12.
Diddy — who is facing multiple felony charges relating to sex-trafficking and extortion — sat through testimony from Cassie, her mother, and former Homeland Security Investigations agents, according to a report from Fox News. The court also heard from rapper Kid Cudi and singer Dawn Richards.
Combs’ former assistant, David James, testified on May 20 that the rapper typically carried “25 to 30” undisclosed pill bottles on his person at all times. According to James, some of the pills were ecstasy.
“Can you describe the ecstasy that you saw him taking?” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik asked. “There were various pills, but there was one that was in the shape of a former president’s face,” James explained.
When asked which former president, James named former President Barack Obama.
Former Danity Kane singer testified that Usher was present at a dinner where Combs allegedly punched Cassie Ventura in the stomach.
“We were having a private conversation, and we were all sitting, eating at the tables together,” Richard recalled during her testimony. “When I say we, I mean some Bad Boy, some of our other label, and even some celebrities were in the room. And they were secretly arguing, and he punched her in the stomach. Sean Combs punched her in the stomach.”
“She immediately bent over and then was – he was – he told her to leave because I could see him point out, and she went out and left the room,” she added.
Richard further testified that in addition to Usher, music executive Harve Pierre, two of Diddy’s assistants, the rapper’s security and Kaleena Harper were present for the West Hollywood dinner. Upon cross examination, it was revealed that Richard failed to name all the A-list celebrities who were at the dinner.
“Usher was there, Jimmy Iovine was there, Ne-Yo came through,” Richard eventually added. “There were a few others, too. I don’t recall those people, but those are the ones I remember talking to.”
Kid Cudi, a successful singer and rapper, was first mentioned in testimony on May 14, Fox News reported. Combs had allegedly gone through her phone at a “freak off” party and found an email correspondence between her and the rapper.
The “freak off” parties have been central to the allegations against Diddy, as the rap mogul has been accused of forcing attendees, particularly up-and-coming artists signed to his record label and his personal employees, to perform sex acts and take illicit drugs.
Cudi took the stand on May 22 and testified about an alleged break-in that occurred at his home the day Diddy found out Cudi was dating Ventura. Cudi further alleged that his car was set on fire a month later.
“I reached out to Sean Combs after my car had caught fire and … finally told him that we needed to meet up to talk,” Cudi testified. “He had been wanting to talk to me. So, after the fire, I was like, ‘This is getting out of hand/ I need to talk to him.’”
“Why was it Mr. Combs you reached out to after the fire?” prosecutors followed up, at which point Cudi claimed he knew Diddy “had something to do with it.”
Judge Arun Subramanian then sustained an objection from Diddy’s defense, while the jury was instructed to disregard Cudi’s answer.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty in Manhattan federal court to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
