Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates:
L.A. hotel security supervisor to testify
Prosecutors are expected to call to the witness stand a security supervisor at the Los Angeles hotel where Combs was filmed attacking Cassie Ventura.
What to know about the sex trafficking trial
Prosecutors say they will begin today by calling Eddy Garcia to the witness stand. Garcia worked as a security supervisor at the Los Angeles hotel where Combs was filmed attacking Cassie Ventura in March 2016.
Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him.
This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
MATTHEW RUSSELL LEE of I.C.P.
the ears to the inside for
MIND OF MONKEY STUDIO
1h / 12:57 AM
[Out-
1h / 12:56 PM
[Judge goes to side with US Marshal. Then]
Judge: For today, you can use the courtroom until 6 pm. I'll try to figure it out for the rest of this week.
Combs' Agnifilo: I would like more time.
Judge: Everyone else, get out of the courtroom. As will the Court
1h / 12:44 PM
Defense: We still oppose the compilation video.
Judge: It would be better if we had the original. And why don't we?
Defense: It would have been deleted after ten days anyway.
1h / 12:36 PM
Judge: For the SCIF we'd need a special officer, I'm told.
Combs' Agnifilo: The courtroom would be better. We don't mind the Marshals.
Judge: There are Marshall Service issues...
1h / 12:33 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: We just need a solution.
Judge: Why does the screen prevent you? Paint a picture for me.
Agnifilo: The screen is thick mesh. You want to see with your client and use a highlighter.
Judge: There's time in the courthouse. 7 am to 8:30 am, and after
1h / 12:32 PM
AUSA: These text message were produced in Rule 16 discovery, they've had them for months. We expect the direct of Jane to run to Monday - so they'll have the weekend.
Judge: The texts are sensitive?
AUSA: There's nudity. A paralegal could sit with Mr. Combs
1h / 12:28 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: What is we use the courtroom tonight?
Judge: There would be Marshals here.
Agnfilo: Fine with us. He needs to see the texts, he can only see them with he is with us. We need more time, without a screen between us. It's a 6th Amendment issue
1h / 12:26 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: Mr. Combs is prevented from possessing any of the text messages of Jane. Here's the ask: We need to meet with our client in a place with a desk, with no separation, to go through the text messages
Judge: Could you do it if you leave now?
1h / 12:25 PM
AUSA: The new compilation, I understand there is still a defense objection.
Judge: I don't need further argument on that.
AUSA: I do intent to show Jane some explicit videos, I proposed we turn off the attorney screens, so the gallery can't see
1h / 12:22 PM
AUSA: With Jane tomorrow, we want to avoid the type of accident that happened with Mia - so we want the public screens turned off. We want to avoid a situation where accidentally a non redacted version goes up.
Judge: OK, for Jane's testimony
1h / 12:19 PM
Judge: Re-cross?
Combs' Agnifilo: You didn't go to his home or hotel because that's his personal life, right?
AUSA: Objection.
Judge: Sustained.
Agnifilo: Nothing further.
Judge: Jurors, you may go. All rise!
1h / 12:17 PM
AUSA: On this org chart, who is the chairman?
Ferguson: Sean Combs.
AUSA: And you see Kristina Khorran here?
Ferguson: Yes.
AUSA: Do you see the name Mia?
Ferguson: Development and acquisitions
AUSA: Nothing further
1h / 12:16 PM
Judge: Re-direct?
AUSA: Was Revolt Films entirely separate from Revolt TV?
Ferguson: Yes.
AUSA: Who was the head of Revolt Films?
Ferguson: I don't know.
AUSA: Did you ever stay in a hotel room with Mr. Combs?
Ferguson: No.
1h / 12:14 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: The school tries to work with at-risk children?
AUSA: Objection! 403.
Judge: Sustained. Let's move on.
Agnifilo: Do you think highly of Mr. Combs?
Ferguson: I don't know how to respond to that.
AUSA: Sidebar?
Agnifilo: Nothing further.
1h / 12:13 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: Did you tell Mr. Combs you learned so much from him?
Ferguson: Yes. He pushed the entire team. He had passion.
Agnifilo: You're a religious man?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Sustained.
AUSA: You're on the board of his charter school?
Ferguson: Yes.
1h / 12:09 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: Through sexual abuse or trafficking?
Ferguson: No
Agnifilo: You were there 19 years. How hard was it?
Ferguson: Building from scratch. Long hours.
Agnifilo: Did you sent Mr Combs a text in November 2017?
Ferguson: I don't.
Agnifilo: I'll show you
1h / 12:06 PM
[They've back]
Combs' Agnifilo: Did you see anyone help Sean Combs commit crimes?
Ferguson: No.
Agnifilo: Did you see anyone make the company stronger through coercion?
Ferguson: Can you explain that one? What did you mean by coercion?
Agnifilo: Fair enough.
1h / 11:57 AM
Agnifilo: Sidebar?
Judge: Yes
1h / 11:54 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Security's job was to be in close proximity with Mr. Combs so that no one would do something dangerous to him, right?
Ferguson: Right
Agnifilo: Let's talk about cash. What was the cash receipt form - when it is used?
Ferguson: For example, touring
1h / 11:48 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: When there was a partnership with another company, they would look at the books as well, right?
Ferguson: Yes.
Agnifilo: Many high profile people have personal assistants, yes?
Ferguson: They do.
Agnifilo: Security was part of the business?
A: Yes
1h / 11:43 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: What is Digital?
Ferguson: Uh...
Agnifilo: Your pause says enough. Personal versus business expenses- what's your accounting background?
Ferguson: I was a CPA for a time.
Agnifilo: You never saw Mr. Combs sitting reviewing his AmEx bill
A: No
1h / 11:38 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Let's look at DX 1901, about Combs Enterprises. Let's put up the redacted version.
[Chart of executive shown]
Agnifilo: Here you have James Cruz... And the HR officer after Vashta Wilson... Andre Herrell and yourself.
Ferguson: This is the team
1h / 11:32 AM
Ferguson: Yes, two of five seats on Revolt.
Combs' Agnifilo: What were you at Revolt?
Ferguson: Chief Operating Officer.
Agnifilo: What did that entail?
Ferguson: Finance, production.
Agnifilo: And Sean Combs wasn't in the management, right?
Ferguson: He was not.
1h / 11:27 AM
Ferguson: Diegeo was marketing it more in urban areas than more broadly.
Combs' Agnifilo: OK. What about Revolt - it was owned by Highbridge Capital Management, which was purchased by JPMorgan Chase?
Ferguson: I think so.
Agnifilo: Highbridge had two seats?
1h / 11:24 AM
[They've back]
Combs' Agnifilo: Were you concerned that Diageo was marketing Ciroc primarily in... certain areas to certain people?
Ferguson: My opinion?
Agnifilo: On your personal knowledge.
Ferguson: The distribution was highly concentrated. The question was wh
1h / 11:19 AM
AUSA: Sidebar
Judge: OK.
1h / 11:18 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: What issues arose with Diageo?
AUSA: Objection!
Agnifilo: Were there differences about how to market?
Ferguson: There are always differences of opinion. We had conversations, how do we drive it more, was the brand everywhere like competitors1h / 11:14 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Who is Andre Herrell?
Ferguson: He founded Uptown Records, went to Motown, then back to Bad Boy.
Agnifilo: What was the spirits business called?
Ferguson: Eventually it was called Combs Wines and Spirits. I was involved in the start with Diageo
1h / 11:10 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Do you remember Notorious LLC?
Ferguson: It was a magazine called Notorious.
Agnifilo: Bad Boy Records was established in 1993?
Ferguson: I think it was in 1996
Agnifilo: Did Bad Boy have connections to Interscope?
Ferguson: Yes. & UMG, Rhino
1h / 11:05 AM
Ferguson: I met Benny Medina, some others.
Combs' Agnifilo: So you didn't just meet Mr. Combs and get the job.
Ferguson: No.
Agnifilo: How did Bad Boy change from 1999 to 2012?
Ferguson: It added other businesses, records were getting competitive.
1h / 11:01 AM
Ferguson: Coming from The Bronx, I thought he needed more companies that would hire people from the community. I saw that in Sean Combs. I thought it was a chance to have an impact.
Combs' Agnifilo: What was the onboarding?
Ferguson: Interview, met some at Arista
1h / 10:59 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Then BMG Music Group?
Ferguson: Yes. They own over 100 music labels worldwide. They own Arista, 50% of Bad Boy Records at a certain period of time.
Agnifilo: Could Mr. Combs then do whatever he wanted?
Ferguson: No. There were Arista agreements
1h / 10:55 AM
Ferguson. I see...
AUSA: Nothing further.
Judge: Mr. Agnifilo?
Combs' Agnifilo: You grew up in the Bronx - where did you go to high school?
Ferguson: Stuyvesant.
Agnifilo: Where did you go to business school?
Ferguson: Harvard, MBA 1990
1h / 10:51 AM
AUSA: When did you leave the CFO position?
Ferguson: End of 2012. Then chief growth officer, the Revolt Media and TV
AUSA: After you left, how often did you communicate with Mr. Combs?
Ferguson: He texted me in 2024. I don't remember the day.
AUSA: Let me show you
1h / 10:49 AM
AUSA: And this outward transfer, to whom did it go?
Ferguson: Casandra Ventura.
AUSA: For how much?
Ferguson: $20,000.
AUSA: And this one coming in?
Ferguson: Roderick Ventura, for $20,000
1h / 10:46 AM
AUSA: What are these internal transfers?
Ferguson: $190,000 and $575,000 and $100,000. In December 2011.
AUSA: Who decided whether to initiate an internal transfer?
Ferguson: Usually the comptroller.
AUSA: Do you remember these?
Ferguson: No
1h / 10:37 AM
Judge: Bring the witness back.
[Witness enters; jury enters]
AUSA: Mr. Ferguson, before the break we were discussing these banks records. What is 207 Anderson LLC?
Ferguson: Mr. Combs' property in Alpine, New Jersey.
AUSA: What is the mailing address?
1710 B'way
1h / 10:34 AM
Judge: The objection is overruled. How are we doing on the compilation video?
Defense: We still object.
Judge: But the compilation is put together?
Yes.
AUSA: We would like some material to be taken down and other relief.
1h / 10:25 AM
[They're back. Before jury in]
Combs' least-used lawyer Jason Driscoll: This exhibit is full of hearsay.
Judge: I have the gist. Ms. Foster, are you saying none of this of for the truth [of the matter asserted]?
AUSA Foster: Yes. This is not excludable hearsay
1h / 9:41 AM
Judge: Break
1h / 9:39 AM
udge: How much more with this witness?
AUSA: 20 minutes, we think. And Jane starting late tomorrow, we expect two days for her cross examination.
Judge: Only Mr. Ferguson today?
AUSA: Yes. And if Mr. Agnifilo's cross goes long, may we stay late?
Judge: OK
1h / 9:34 AM
AUSA: Were you aware of him supporting other people?
Ferguson: Yes. From his personal earnings.
AUSA: Your Honor, this might be a good place for us to take our break.
1h / 9:33 AM
AUSA: What properties did he own?
Ferguson: The Hamptons, New York, Miami - they were held in LCCs for anonymity, and liability reduction, and tax benefits.
AUSA: Did you oversee other personal accounts of Mr. Combs?
Ferguson: Yes
1h / 9:29 AM
AUSA: Were you aware of Mr. Combs' security staff carrying cash for him?
Ferguson: I was not aware of that.
AUSA: And when you were responsible for his personal finances, what did you do?
Ferguson: Budget for the year
AUSA: Properties?
Ferguson: Inflows & outflows
1h / 9:27 AM
AUSA: How was outgoing cash handled?
Ferguson: We had a petty cash account, and cash advances, for example for those traveling who didn't have American Express cards.
AUSA: When Mr. Combs was paid in cash, how did it work?
Ferguson: We'd match it if a contract
1h / 9:22 AM
AUSA: What about credit cards?
Ferguson: Primarily American Express, expense reimbursements.
AUSA: Did Mr. Combs have an AmEx?
Ferguson: Yes.
AUSA: Did he use it for personal as well as professional?
Ferguson: Yes.
AUSA: And the companies paid?
Ferguson: Yes
1h / 9:20 AM
AUSA: Mr. Ferguson, are these your initials in Section 4?
Ferguson: Yes. It was 9/29/09.
AUSA: Is this also a business checking account?
Ferguson: Yes.
AUSA: And this one?
Ferguson: With Diageo, about Ciroc.
AUSA: How was this account funded?
Ferguson: Inflows
1h / 9:14 AM
AUSA: Could you sign on the accounts?
Ferguson: Yes.
AUSA: Which banks did the Combs companies use?
Ferguson: Citibank, HSBC and Signature Bank.
AUSA: What is this one?
Ferguson: Janice Combs Music Inc. It furnished his name and likeness.
1h / 9:13 AM
AUSA: How was Mr. Combs paid?
Ferguson: Sometimes salary, sometimes distributions from the companies
AUSA: What is a distribution?
Ferguson: If solely-owned, or pass-through like S-Corp, the owner determines to draw down.
AUSA: Did each have a bank account?
A: Yes
1h / 9:10 AM
AUSA: What was his role?
Ferguson: Creative and marketing.
AUSA: Did some ventures have partners?
Ferguson: Bad Boy Records with with Arista, also with Warner. Sean Jean clothing had a partner.
AUSA: What were the profits?
Ferguson: Very profitable.
1h / 9:06 AM
AUSA: Who is this? [Uncle Paulie photo shown]
Ferguson: Paul.
AUSA: And these individuals?
Ferguson: Roger Bonds and D-Roc. They were security.
AUSA: What Mr. Combs' the sole owner?
Ferguson: Yes. 100% of Bad Boy Productions, and films
1h / 9:02 AM
AUSA: Who was your supervisor?
Ferguson: Sometimes to Mr. Combs himself.
AUSA: How often did you interact with Mr. Combs?
Ferguson: A couple of times a week. Later he became more of a chairman.
AUSA: How did you communicate with him?
Ferguson: Back then, pagers
2h / 9:01 AM
AUSA: What was your role?
Ferguson: CFO.
AUSA: How were your bonuses determined?
Ferguson: Company results and my performance.
AUSA: Were you responsible for managing Mr. Combs' personal finances?
Ferguson: Yes at times during my tenure.
2h / 8:56 AM
AUSA: We are also entering into evidence records from Signature Bank.
Judge: Any objection?
Defense: No.
AUSA: With that, the Government calls Derek Ferguson. How do you know Mr. Combs?
Ferguson: Worked for him 1998 to 2017
2h / 8:51 AM
AUSA: Publish that for the jury...It says 24 contacts, including "Eddy My Angel" and his phone number, and "Eddy My Angel friend Inter-Continental." There was also a photo of the IDs on the device.
2h / 8:49 AM
Judge Subramanian: Let's bring our jury back out.
All rise!
AUSA: I am going to enter a stipulation into evidence. During a search at Miami airport, law enforcement seized two cell phones from Kristina Khorram's person
2h / 8:18 AM
AUSA: Nothing further
Judge: Break
2h / 8:06 AM
Combs' Steel: I have nothing further.
Judge: Re-direct?
AUSA Steiner: NDA, para 4. Can you read it, after However?
Garcia: notify company, to allow company to prevent disclosure
AUSA: So you'd have to notify them first?
Garcia: Yes.
Steel: Objection!
Overruled
2h / 8:03 AM
Combs' Steel: Let me show you the NDA - this part says Exclusions, right?
Garcia: Under NDA you can't speak, is my understanding
Steel: It says, nothing prohibits truthful statement in a legal proceeding
Garcia: I see that
Steel: You weren't law enforcement?
A: No
3h / 7:57 AM
Combs' Steel: Sir, you were in the condominium unit with Mr. Combs and others and receive double what your boss was requesting, fair?
Garcia: Yes.
Steel: You told your boss because you are honest, right?
Garcia: Yes.
Steel: You asked Mr. Combs for work?
A: Yes
3h / 7:55 AM
AUSA: Were you contacted by law enforcement?
Garcia: Yes.
AUSA: Did you tell the truth?
Garcia: No. I wanted nothing to do with it.
AUSA: Did you get your own lawyer and then told the truth?
Garcia: Yes.
AUSA: No further questions.
Judge: Mr. Steel?
3h / 7:54 AM
[They've back]
Judge: Anything further Ms. Steiner?
AUSA Steiner: Yes. Mr. Flores, did you see this video again?
Garcia: Yes, on a news outlet. Also, Mr. Florez messaged me a screenshot
AUSA: Did you keep these messages?
Garcia: No. I wanted nothing to do with it
3h / 7:45 AM
AUSA: Did you hear from Mr. Combs again?
Garcia: Yes, he called and told me, Happy Easter, if I ever needed anything.
AUSA: And did you reach out to him later?
Garcia: A few year later via Instagram, asking if there was work in LA. I never heard back
AUSA: Sidebar
[Sidebar
3h / 7:42 AM
AUSA: What did you do?
Garcia: Called Bill Medrano and gave him $50,000.
AUSA: How much to Mr. Elias?
Garcia: $20,000.
AUSA: What did you do with your $30,000?
Garcia: Bought a used car with cash.
3h / 7:41 AM
Garcia: Mr. Combs escorted me to my car. He asked how I'd be spending it, he said not to make any big purchases
Judge: Mr. Steel, if you are objecting, speak into the microphone... That's sustained. Disregard the last part of that.
3h / 7:38 AM
AUSA: How did Mr. Combs give you the $100,000?
Garcia: In a brown paper bag.
AUSA: Was the bodyguard there?
Garcia: Yes.
AUSA: And Ms. Khorram, was she present?
Garcia: I would say at some point yet. I stood up.
AUSA: Signifying?
Garcia: That's I'd be leaving
3h / 7:37 AM
AUSA: Then what?
Garcia: Mr. Combs put cash through the money counter. There were stacks of ten thousand at a time. The machine displayed at the end, $100,000.
AUSA: Why the additional $50,000?
Garcia: For me and what he thought was Israel Florez.
3h / 7:34 AM
AUSA: Did you read it?
Garcia: No, I was nervous.
AUSA: Were you given a copy?
Garcia: No.
AUSA: And the NDA, what were the liquidated damages?
Garcia: $1 million.
AUSA: How much were you making?
Garcia: $10.50 an hour
3h / 7:30 AM
Garcia: When Mr. Combs saw the IDs, he looked at Henry's and said, Yeah, that's him. Then he brought out the NDAs, that I wouldn't speak about it.
AUSA: GX C-106. Do you recognize this?
Garcia: It states I have provided the only copy of the video.
3h / 7:23 AM
Garcia: He wanted my ID, and that of Mr. Medrano and the responding officer, Mr. Florez. But he is a very straight guy and probably wouldn't do it. I told Bill Medrano.
AUSA: What did Mr. Medrano say?
Garcia: We'd get Henry Elias, the other responding officer.
3h / 7:21 AM
Garcia: Mr. Combs said don't worry, Cassie wanted it gone too. He called her on Facetime and showed me. She was in a hoodie but I recognized her.
AUSA: What did Ms. Ventura say?
Garcia: That she had a movie coming out and wanted this to not come out.
3h / 7:19 AM
Garcia: Mr. Combs said it had to be the only copy, nothing in the cloud. I called Mr. Medrano and he said it was the only copy, he took it off the server.
AUSA: What else did you say?
Garcia: That if Cassie filed a complaint I could get in trouble.
3h / 7:18 AM
Garcia: Mr. Combs told Kristina to go get me some of the tea that he liked. Then he asked, Do you have it? I said yes & handed it to him.
AUSA: What'd he do?
Garcia: He left, came back. He asked if it was the only copy?
AUSA: And you said?
Garcia: I believe so
3h / 7:16 AM
AUSA: What did he say?
Garcia: That he kind of came up with Mr. Combs, that he was a good guy & I was doing a good thing.
AUSA: Upstairs?
Garcia: Mr. Combs was smiling, called me Eddy My Angel. My voice was cracking so I said I was coming down with something
3h / 7:14 AM
AUSA: Where was the meeting point?
Garcia: A big high rise building. I called the number and someone came, said he was Mr. Combs' bodyguard.
AUSA: How did he look?
Garcia: Older African American, heavyset, 6'3'' to 6'5".
3h / 7:12 AM
AUSA: Where did Mr. Combs want to meet?
Garcia: West LA. He said, Let's get it done. He wanted the video as soon as possible. I told Bill Medrano, he told me to tell the others I was on an errand for him.
AUSA: GX 8-A-104, what hours did you list?
A: 10-1800
3h / 7:10 AM
Garcia: Mr. Combs told me, I knew you could do it. Let's do it right away. I told Bill Medrano.
AUSA: What'd he do?
Garcia: He went into the server room. Then he handed me a black USB & said, Done. The video was in the USB.
AUSA: What did you do?
A: Told Mr Combs
3h / 7:08 AM
AUSA: Who was your supervisor?
Garcia: Bill Medrano. He told me he would do it for fifty.
AUSA: What did you think that meant?
Garcia: He'd give the video for $50,000.
AUSA: What did you do?
Garcia: Called Kristina, who put Mr. Combs on. He called me Eddy My Angel
3h / 7:06 AM
Garcia: I said I didn't have access to the server. He told me he believed I could make it happen, he would take care of me.
AUSA: What did you think he meant?
Garcia: Money for the video.
AUSA: What did you do?
Garcia: Reached out to my supervisor about it.
3h / 7:05 AM
Garcia: Ms. Khorram passed the phone to Mr. Combs again.
AUSA: What did he say?
Garcia: That I sounded like a good guy, that he could help. That something like this could ruin him. He wanted the video. He said if it got out it would ruin his career.
3h / 7:03 AM
[Email as shown has Khorram's phone number on it, not redacted. It says Combs "aka P. Diddy" says he is a patron and wants to talk to you].
AUSA: Did you get more calls from Ms. Khorram?
Garcia: Yes. On my personal number.
AUSA: How did you react?
A: Nervous
3h / 6:59 AM
AUSA: How did he sound?
Garcia: He was talking fast, and stuttering. He sounded nervous.
AUSA: Did you email management?
Garcia: Yes.
AUSA: Bring up GX 7-R-149. What is it?
Garcia: The email I sent.
Combs' Steel: Objection.
Judge: Overruled
3h / 6:57 AM
Garcia: It was Ms. Khorram. She put someone else on the phone.
AUSA: Who?
Garcia: Mr. Combs. He asked, Do you know who I am?
AUSA: What did you say?
Garcia: I said yes. He asked for the video, said he had been intoxicated. I told him, I can't give the video
3h / 6:55 AM
AUSA: How did you respond?
Garcia: That she had to talk to management or file a subpoena.
AUSA: Did you tell her what you saw on the video?
Garcia: Yes. I told her, Off the record, it's bad.
AUSA: Did you get another call?
Garcia: Yes. From an NY area code
3h / 6:54 AM
[They've back]
AUSA: What did you tell Ms. Khorram?
Garcia: That she would have to talk to management.
AUSA: Did she reach out again?
Garcia: Yes, I got a call from the lobby that she was there looking for me.
AUSA: What did she ask for?
Garcia: The video
3h / 6:48 AM
[Sidebar
3h / 6:47 AM
AUSA: From who?
Garcia: Kristina Khorram, with a NY area code. She asked if I had the video.
AUSA: What did she ask for?
Garcia: The video. She said Mr. Combs had been intoxicated and didn't remember exactly -
Combs' Steel: Objection!
J: Sustained
AUSA: Sidebar?
4h / 6:45 AM
AUSA: Why was law enforcement not called?
Garcia: Ms. Ventura did not request it.
AUSA: Did you review the incident report?
Garcia: Yes. There was an attachment that I didn't open on the computer, a video file.
AUSA: Did you receive a call?
Garcia: Yes.
4h / 6:43 AM
AUSA: Did you initially recognize the individual involved in this incident?
Garcia: Not at first. But when I looked closer, yes. It was Mr. Sean Combs.
AUSA: And did you learn who the second individual was?
Garcia: Yes. Ms. Cassie Ventura.
4h / 6:39 AM
AUSA: Let me show you your sign-in sheet for that day
Garcia: Yes, I signed that. Week ending March 10, 2016.
AUSA: Could you monitor all the cameras?
Garcia: Not all. But more than one at time.
AUSA: Would you be required to check the monitors?
Garcia: Yes
4h / 6:30 AM
AUSA: The Government calls Eddy Garcia... Where did you work on the day in question?
Garcia: The Inter-Continental Hotel. I was told there was an incident involving Sean Combs.
AUSA: Do you see him here?
Combs' Steel: We stipulate [So, Steel will be doing cross]
4h / 6:29 AM
Judge: Bring in the jury.
All rise!
Judge: Jurors, there are some scheduling modifications including that on June 11 we will not start until 1 pm... Also June 5, from 11 to 4, and June 20, the day after Juneteenth, we'll stop at 1 pm.
Call your next witness.
4h / 6:18 AM
Judge (continuing) The video timestamps... How long is it? If 40 minutes, it would be a good 403 argument.
Combs' Agnifilo: This could be an easy fix. But the witness on this will be on the stand in two hours.
Judge: Where does he live? NY?
AUSA: Florida4h / 6:14 AM
AUSA: There was someone broadcasting Mia's name just outside the courthouse - in Foley Square - yesterday. We'd ask-
[From the back of the courtroom: Diddy, their coming after you, those motherf*ckers
Judge: Court Security Officers, escort that person out
4h / 6:10 AM
AUSA: Given that the defense played the video of Mia's birthday video for Mr. Combs, we want to introduce recording of his jail calls about organizing social media celebrations of his birthday, which he views as a way to change the narrative
4h / 6:04 AM
Judge: The defense's concern could be allayed by inserting breaks between the clips.
AUSA: Since they will be testifying, it's hard for them to be editing the clips at the same time. We don't think it's misleading.
Judge: The defense can cross examine on this
4h / 5:58 AM
Combs' Teny Geragos: The way the video is cut makes it appear that Mr. Combs came right after Ms. Ventura and she didn't.
AUSA Steiner: I'd like to address the time stamps - on security videos, they are routinely inaccurate.
4h / 5:52 AM
Judge: Is Mr. Garcia competent to testify about this video, given his position in the hotel's security?
AUSA Steiner: I have not really asking him about that aspect.
Judge: We are not using the correct cell phone video, so this could get in under the rules.
4h / 5:49 AM
Courtroom deputy: Marshals, can you bring the defendant out? Oh, I think Mr. Donaldson is in there [the holding cell] with Mr. Combs.
[Combs is brought in]
Judge Subramanian: Let's start with the compilation video. I got this letter
4h / 5:47 AM
OK - US v Sean Combs Day 15, Garcia with immunity, video fight, then Jane
DAY: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
AND NOW THE VERSION NBC NEWS
POSTED TO THEIR WEBSITE
2h ago / 12:32 PM PDT
Jury done for the day as attorneys hash out details for the week
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
The jury has been dismissed as attorneys stay back to discuss additional details on how the rest of the week will go.
Prosecutors are concerned for the identity of Victim-2, who is referred to under the pseudonym "Jane." They are requesting that her face isn't shown in the public overflow rooms to avoid publicly outing her as "Mia" was this last week.
"Jane" is expected to take the stand Thursday.
Combs' attorneys are once again asking for more time with him without a dividing screen because they wish to go over text messages between him and "Jane" that will likely be entered into evidence.
2h ago / 12:27 PM PDT
Ferguson was never in Combs' home or hotel rooms, he says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
The prosecution offered a brief redirect of Ferguson, where the former finance chief was asked to qualify his time with Combs after the defense questioned him on observations of criminal conduct — or lack thereof.
Ferguson testified that he worked in the New York office for Combs' company and had not spent time in his hotel rooms or private residences with him.
2h ago / 12:25 PM PDT
Former CFO says he didn't see evidence of alleged crimes
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Combs' former chief financial officer said he doesn't know of any specific crimes his ex-boss might have committed.
Defense lawyer Agnifilo asked Ferguson several questions, inquiring if the witness had ever seen Combs commit an act of violence, sexual assault, use coercion or enlist the help of an employee to commit an illegal act.
Each time, Ferguson said no.
Ferguson probably gave the prosecution all it really needed from him earlier in his testimony when he confirmed that a $20,000 payment was made from Ventura's family to Combs.
2h ago / 12:11 PM PDT
Combs' ex-finance chief says he tried to keep track of company taxes
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Amid questioning from Agnifilo, Ferguson said Combs' personal and business expenses were kept separate, and that tax records were closely monitored
"I would do everything I could to make sure it [financial impropriety] did not happen," Ferguson said.
3h ago / 11:16 AM PDT
Former Bad Boy CFO said he wanted to work for Combs as a Bronx native
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Combs' defense attorney Marc Agnifilo took up cross-examination for Ferguson, who worked for Combs between 1998 and 2017.
Ferguson was asked why he was interested in working for Combs' Bad Boy companies, which included the production company and record label. The former CFO told the court that he felt interested in Combs' companies because he felt it hired from communities where he was from.
A Bronx native, Ferguson testified that he felt that Combs and his brands gave young executives from those types of communities opportunities.
3h ago / 10:59 AM PDT
Financial records show $20K wire from Ventura's father
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Prosecutors showed financial records from a Combs bank account, including a $20,000 wire transfer from Ventura's father Dec. 23, 2011.
Ventura's mother, Regina Ventura, previously testified that Combs demanded the family pay $20,000 to keep him from releasing sexually explicit videos of Ventura after he learned she was seeing rapper Scott Mescudi, also known as Kid Cudi. She also told the court she received the money back days later.
Prosecutors pointed out two other $20,000 transfers that same month while questioning Combs' former CFO.
The first was an outgoing transfer to Ventura on Dec. 14, 2011, and another to an unspecified entity Dec. 27, 2011.
3h ago / 10:44 AM PDT
Government seeks action against outlet reporting the ID of 'Mia'
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
The true name and identity of key prosecution witness "Mia" are being reported, according to prosecutors who want to ban the outlet that made the information public from court.
Judge Subramanian asked prosecutors to draft a possible court order, and he'd consider it.
2h ago / 10:24 AM PDT
Court returns from lunch
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
The court is back in session after the lunch break, and Ferguson is expected to return to the witness stand for direct questioning by prosecutors.
2h ago / 9:39 AM PDT
Court adjourns for lunch break
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
The courtroom will empty out for a lunch break, with U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian instructing everyone to return at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Prosecutors say they have about 20 minutes of direct questioning left for Ferguson, who has been going over how Combs' financials were managed.
2h ago / 9:34 AM PDT
Charting out the trail of money
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Although most of Ferguson's early testimony has been procedural, it is potentially crucial to the government's case.
He's been asked to verify a laundry list of bank accounts, real estate holdings, credit cards, and other financial records connected to Combs Enterprises and confirm that the defendant had signatory power over these funds.
Though most of the headline-grabbing testimony so far this trial has dealt with sexual abuse and other incidents of alleged acts of violence, Combs' real problems would be any evidence that he might have run a criminal enterprise to pull off these suspected crimes.
2h ago / 9:12 AM PDT
Former Bad Boys CFO sometimes reported directly to Combs, he says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Derek Ferguson, who used to be the chief financial officer for Bad Boy Entertainment, said he sometimes reported to Combs.
Ferguson told the court he held many roles working for Combs between 1998 and 2017, but went into detail on his role as CFO of Bad Boy Entertainment.
He handled budgets and salaries, was involved in deal-making and, at times, was responsible for Combs' personal finances. Ferguson told the court that he mainly reported to whoever served as president of Bad Boys Entertainment.
At times, there was no president, Ferguson said, and he reported directly to Combs.
2h ago / 8:56 AM PDT
Derek Ferguson takes the witness stand
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
The government called Derek Ferguson, the former CFO of Combs Enterprises, to the witness chair. Ferguson, wearing a suit and tie, said he received a subpoena to appear in court today.
2h ago / 8:13 AM PDT
Defense points out NDA didn't prevent Garcia from speaking with law enforcement
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Defense attorney Brian Steel briefly cross-examined Garcia, pointing out a line in the NDA that said Garcia was not prevented from speaking about the 2016 assault in legal proceedings.
This was presumably intended to undermine the government's potential obstruction of justice, one of the predicate crimes that falls under racketeering.
Prosecutors quickly took up a redirect, however, showing that the NDA requires written notice to the company in those cases. It says this would allow the company to seek options to prevent disclosure.
Garcia testified on redirect that he understood the "company" to be Combs' company.
2h ago / 8:07 AM PDT
Garcia says he wasn't initially truthful with police over 2016 assault
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
When police began asking about the March 2016 assault at the InterContinental hotel, Garcia said he wasn't initially honest with investigators.
Garcia testified that he was contacted by law enforcement and wasn't truthful about his involvement at first. He later got his own attorney and met with the government, where he said he was more forthcoming.
2h ago / 8:07 AM PDT
Combs celebrated Easter by making his beating of Ventura go away, Garcia said
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Combs had kind words for the security guard who was making sure the damaging footage was disposed of, Garcia testified.
"On Easter, he said, 'Happy Easter my angel, God is good,' and then proceeded to ask if anyone had asked about the incident or the video," Garcia testified about the March 2016 beating. "I said I hadn't heard anything and he said, 'OK.'"
Garcia said he later asked Combs about employment possibilities with the defendant's company. It is not immediately clear if Combs answered.
3h ago / 7:54 AM PDT
Combs warned hotel guard not to make big purchases, Garcia said
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Garcia told the court that Combs asked him if he wanted to count the money he was getting from the video sale and asked how he intended to spend it.
Garcia opted to trust the money counter, he testified, and explained to Combs that he didn't know what he'd use the $30,000 he was getting from the deal. Combs then warned him not to make any big purchases, Garcia said.
The hotel security guard said he assumed Combs was advising against drawing attention to the money. Garcia added that he didn't deposit any of the cash into the bank and used the money to buy a used car.
3h ago / 7:49 AM PDT
Garcia, who was making $10.50 an hour, signed NDA with $1 million penalty
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Garcia, who was making $10.50 an hour as a security guard, agreed to an NDA that included a $1 million penalty if he breached it.
Garcia received $100,000 for himself and two other employees for helping Combs keep the music mogul's 2016 hotel beating of Ventura under wraps.
3h ago / 7:45 AM PDT
Combs presented hotel security with $100K in a brown paper bag, Garcia said
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
After the hotel security signed NDAs, Garcia told the court that Combs left and returned to the room with a brown paper bag and a money counter.
Combs put stacks of money into the counter — $10,000 at a time — until it reached a total of $100,000, Garcia testified.
According to Garcia, the original deal for the video with Garcia's boss was $50,000, but Combs said the excess cash was for the other two security guards.
3h ago / 7:41 AM PDT
Garcia's NDA for Combs footage presented in court
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
As part of the deal to get Combs' footage of the hotel beating, Garcia signed a nondisclosure agreement that called for his silence and the destruction of evidence.
According to the NDA presented in court, there were to be no duplicates of footage or stored communications about the incident.
When asked if he read through everything before signing, Garcia said, "No, I was nervous."
3h ago / 7:35 AM PDT
Combs had Ventura on call to reassure hotel security for video sale, Garcia said
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Garcia testified that he expressed concerns about selling the only copy of the 2016 assault video, especially if Ventura had filed a police report in the matter.
He told the court that he ended up on a FaceTime call with Combs and Ventura. Combs told Ventura to tell Garcia she also wanted the video to go away, Garcia said in court.
According to Garcia, Ventura then said it wasn't a good time for the video to come out and wanted it gone.
3h ago / 7:34 AM PDT
Garcia said his boss wanted $50,000 for tape of Ventura's beating
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Garcia testified that Combs desperately wanted a copy of surveillance footage of him beating Ventura at that Los Angeles hotel in 2016 — and implied that he was willing to pay.
The footage sold to Combs had to be the "only copy," because he didn't want it getting out, Garcia said. Garcia said he talked to his boss, who was willing to do it for $50,000.
3h ago / 7:13 AM PDT
Combs said video of Ventura being beaten would ruin his career, Garcia said
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Garcia testified that a call from Combs' team to his personal cellphone number had him nervous and that Combs repeatedly told him he could help regarding the footage of him assaulting Ventura.
Garcia said Combs' employee, Kristina Khorram, first made the call, but Combs eventually got on the phone himself. He told the court that Combs said the video would ruin his career.
Garcia explained on the call that he did not have access to the server room where the original video was and could not help. Combs offered to take care of him for the video, which Garcia said he believed to mean financially.
3h ago / 7:11 AM PDT
Combs' team realized the damage of his taped beating of Ventura, Garcia said
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
According to Garcia, Combs’ former chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, quickly understood the potential career-ending problems that surveillance video of her boss beating Ventura could cause.
When Khorram asked Garcia for the tape, the witness told her he didn't have the authority to produce the footage. He then told her to get a subpoena.
4h ago / 6:48 AM PDT
Garcia says he didn't initially recognize Combs in hotel assault video
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Garcia didn't initially recognize Combs or Ventura when watching the video of the March 2016 assault at the InterContinental hotel.
He told the court that he was later notified of their identities. Garcia also testified that law enforcement was not contacted and was told that Ventura did not request medical attention or police.
4h ago / 6:35 AM PDT
Eddy Garcia takes the stand
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Eddy Garcia, the security supervisor at the InterContinental hotel in L.A. in 2016, when Combs beat Ventura, has taken the witness stand.
Garcia took the stand briefly yesterday to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He was offered an immunity deal to protect him from prosecution so long as he was honest.
4h ago / 6:25 AM PDT
Disruptive courtroom spectator removed
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
A person who was screaming in the gallery was removed from the courtroom shortly after prosecutors complained about the real identity of witness "Mia" being broadcast.
The woman, who appears to be a supporter of the defendant, was cursing as she was taken away by law enforcement.
"Everyone is laughing at Diddy!" said the woman, a regular courtroom spectator who claims to be a transit employee. "It's not right what they’re doing to him!"
"Escort her out right now!" U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian bellowed, in the first major courtroom outburst of the trial.
There have been disturbances in overflow viewing spaces in the courthouse during this trial, but this is the first such situation in the courtroom itself.
5h ago / 5:54 AM PDT
Others expected to testify today
Adam Reiss and Marlene Lenthang
Frank Piazza will testify today, followed by either Derek Ferguson, former CFO of Combs Enterprises, or Bryana Bangolan, who alleges Combs dangled her over an apartment balcony.
5h ago / 5:52 AM PDT
Court is in session
Marlene Lenthang and Adam Reiss
Court is now in session on Day 15 of Combs' racketeering and trafficking trial.
5h ago / 5:29 AM PDT
Former hotel security supervisor to testify on $100K Combs payoff
Adam Reiss and Marlene Lenthang
Eddy Garcia, a former security supervisor at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, will testify under an immunity order, after asserting his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.
His deal with the government provides him with immunity, as long as he tells the truth on the witness stand. He’s expected to speak on the $100,000 payoff Combs made in a brown paper bag to purchase the incriminating video of his attack on Ventura.
While Combs doesn’t deny the payoff, his attorneys say the payment was to avoid any negative press.
6h ago / 4:31 AM PDT
'Mia' said she was 'brainwashed' by Combs
Erik Ortiz and Marlene Lenthang
“I was brainwashed” by Combs, 'Mia' said on the stand yesterday, which prevented her from coming forward earlier about the alleged sexual abuse.
"It’s been a long process," she said. "I’m still untangling these things. I’m in therapy."
She felt she had no choice but to testify against Combs because she didn’t want her younger, female loved ones to turn a blind eye to the issue of sexual assault.
"Because I can’t look my niece or my goddaughters in the eyes … in the future if they happen to be in this situation," she testified.
7h ago / 3:36 AM PDT
'Mia' finished her four-day testimony yesterday
Erik Ortiz and Pilar Melendez
Combs' former personal assistant, a woman identified in court by the pseudonym "Mia," finished her testimony yesterday.
She faced cross-examination yesterday after accusing Combs of sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions. The defense repeatedly asked Mia why she stayed with Combs despite the alleged assaults she says she endured. "Because when he was happy, I was safe," she told the court.
7h ago / 3:36 AM PDT
L.A. hotel security supervisor is expected to testify today
Erik Ortiz and Pilar Melendez
Eddy Garcia, a security supervisor at the Los Angeles hotel where Combs was seen on security video assaulting longtime girlfriend Casandra Ventura in 2016, is expected to take the stand today. Garcia was in court briefly yesterday to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
Yesterday, a woman identified in court as "Mia" took the stand for a third and final day.
DAY: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
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