This morning, a former personal assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs delivered harrowing testimony in the ongoing sex trafficking trial against the Bad Boy Records founder. The witness, who is using the alias Mia, accused the Grammy-winning artist of raping her "more than once" during her employment from 2009 to 2017. As she spoke quietly in the lower Manhattan courtroom, she detailed a series of violent encounters that left her feeling terrified and helpless.
Mia recounted the abusive behaviors she endured while working for Combs, stating, “He’s thrown things at me, he’s thrown me against the wall, he’s thrown me into a pool, he’s thrown an ice bucket on my head.” These shocking claims were made in front of Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Smyser, who is leading the prosecution. In her testimony, Mia described how Combs slammed her arm into a door and sexually assaulted her, painting a picture of a toxic work environment.
During her testimony, Mia also shared insights into the tumultuous relationship between Combs and his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. She described their connection as "intensely controlling, manipulative, and violent," indicating that Combs was abusive towards Ventura. "He was abusive towards her,” Mia stated, emphasizing the fear that permeated their interactions. She recalled witnessing a moment where Ventura appeared terrified, saying, “I’ve seen him crack her head open.”
On one occasion, Mia and a bodyguard attempted to intervene during an assault in Combs' Los Angeles apartment. She vividly described the scene, noting how Combs’ demeanor changed: “His eyes turned, like, black and there was like no getting through.” Mia expressed the “severe danger” she felt during this incident, which left Ventura with a substantial gash on her head. Following the attack, Combs allegedly instructed Mia to arrange for a plastic surgeon to treat Ventura and to claim that she had merely fallen while intoxicated.
As Mia recounted her experiences, Combs was seated just a few feet away at the defense table, flanked by his legal team. Members of his family, including at least two of his sons and his mother, were also present in the courtroom. Earlier in the day, a motion was made to restrict the media’s access to footage of Mia's testimony, but the judge, Arun Subramanian, denied this request.
This high-stakes trial stems from Combs’ arrest last September on multiple charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, faces the possibility of life in federal prison if convicted. The trial began on May 12 and is anticipated to last approximately nine weeks, with Judge Subramanian indicating that the proceedings may extend beyond the regular schedule.
On Thursday, the jury also heard from celebrity stylist Deonte Nash, a friend of Ventura, who provided detailed accounts of the abuse he witnessed during Combs and Ventura's relationship. He recounted specific instances of violence, including threats made by Combs regarding the release of intimate videos. Nash’s testimony intertwined with the accusations made by Mia, highlighting the pervasive culture of abuse surrounding Combs.
The trial has seen various testimonies, including from law enforcement officials regarding other incidents involving Combs. Despite a motion for a mistrial due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct, Judge Subramanian swiftly dismissed the request, ensuring that the trial would proceed as planned.
In a notable development, it was revealed that Cassie Ventura recently gave birth to her third child, a boy, just days after her testimony concluded. The news, shared by stylist Nash, underscores the significant personal changes Ventura is experiencing amid the ongoing legal proceedings against her former partner.
As the trial continues, more testimonies from witnesses like Mia are expected, with the proceedings scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, possibly extending to 4 p.m. on certain days. The courtroom remains a focal point of media attention as the case unfolds, with many anticipating further revelations about Combs’ alleged abusive behavior.
