Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: Kid Cudi testifies
his Porsche was torched with Molotov cocktail
after relationship with Cassie Ventura
Combs faces five criminal counts in total, including two of sex trafficking, and has denied all the allegations.
Rapper Scott Mescudi, known professionally as Kid Cudi, testified about his relationship with Cassie Ventura and the abusive nature of her relationship with Sean Combs Thursday. He testified his car was torched with a Molotov cocktail after his relationship with Ventura ended and he suspected Combs was involved.
Earlier in the day Combs’ former assistant George Kaplan returned to the witness stand describing the demanding job of being Combs’ bag man and cleaning up liquor bottles and baby oil from hotel rooms.
MATTHEW RUSSELL LEE of I.C.P
reporting as the ears to the inside
for MIND OF MONKEY STUDIO
6h / 11:50 AM
Judge: Enjoy
6h / 11:47 AM
Judge: No more witnesses. Jurors, I intend to release you early - any objections?
[laughter]
Don't read anything about the case. Go for a walk. Watch the Knicks avenge their Game 1 loss
[more laughter] And you must tattle. We're making great progress. All rise!
6h / 11:42 AM
Defense: On one of the laptops there was a Frank Black profile?
Agent Croft: Yes.
Defense: Did you process every file?
Agent Croft: Yes.
Defense: Have a wonderful weekend.
AUSA: Frank Black, did you proceed under Ms. Ventura's consent?
Agent Croft: Under warrant.
6h / 11:36 AM
AUSA: So on these three laptops, how were they backed up?
Agent Croft: iTunes was used, before iCloud. Some looks a little funky.
AUSA: But you can can validate the funky, as you say, data by going to the raw data?
Agent Croft: Yes.
AUSA: Nothing further
6h / 11:29 AM
AUSA: What is unallocated space?
Agent Croft: Something not viewable, something previously deleted.
AUSA: Explain how computers store data.
Agent Croft: You have a table of contents. A file can still be stored, in unallocated space.
6h / 11:23 AM
AUSA: Did you boot it up?
Agent Croft: I got to the Macbook factory default screen?
AUSA: But you got data?
Croft: Yes. The hard drive had data not over-riden by the factory re-set.
6h / 11:22 AM
AUSA: What tools do you use?
Agent Croft: TX1 and Digital Collector.
AUSA: Whose laptops did you extract?
Agent Croft: Cassie Ventura. This is a Macbook Pro, roughly from 2010, 2011, with a white case.
6h / 11:12 AM
AUSA: Where do you work?
Agent Croft: HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] I extract data from computers.
AUSA: What is your training?
Agent Croft: The SANS Institute
AUSA: What does that stand for?
Agent Croft: I don't really know, they are opaque in that way
6h / 11:07 AM
AUSA: What are these complaints?
Zemmour: Candle wax on carpet, security called. Charge $500.
AUSA: No further questions.
Judge: Cross examination?
Defense: None.
Judge: Next witness
AUSA: Special Agent Josh Croft
6h / 11:05 AM
AUSA: This reservation - what's the bill?
Zemmour: Over $2000. It says only charge if Kristina Khorram approves.
AUSA: What were the instructions?
Zemmour: Put room out of service for cleaning. Like the room hot, set it for 75 degrees.
7h / 10:56 AM
AUSA: How reserved this room for Sean Combs?
Zemmour: Ryan Lopez. Also other names were used.
AUSA: When was this profiled first created?
Zemmour: 2006, it said Sean Combs and Bad Boy Records. Then they changed it to Jackie Star.
AUSA: Let's look at 2011-2012
7h / 10:51 AM
AUSA: Are you familiar with the hotel's reservation system?
Zemmour: We have a system called Opera. We enter in personal preferences.
AUSA: How long do you keep them?
Zemmour: They stay forever
7h / 10:49 AM
Combs' Estevao: You sold the photos to CNN for $1000?
Mylah Morales: Yes.
Estevao: No further questions.
Judge: Next witness.
Frédéric Zemmour, the general manager of L'Hermitage Hotel LA
AUSA: Why are you here?
Zemmour: I receive a subpoena.
7h / 10:46 AM
Combs' Estevao: So you asked permission to speak to Dateline?
Morales: Of course I asked.
Estevao: After the incident, neither Mr. Combs or anyone from his company ever approached you?
Morales: No one did.
Estevao: For a documentary were you paid?
Morales: Therapy
6h / 10:43 AM
Combs' Estevao: You did an interview with CNN, and with Extra TV, Don Lemon, Piers Morgan?
Mylah Morales: Yes.
Estevao: Did Dateline reach out to you?
Morales: I don't look at those any more.
Estevao: Did you ask the Government if you could do more? Look at this
7h / 10:40 AM
Combs' Estevao: You met Ms. Ventura's family?
Mylah Morales: Her father.
Estevao: You called a doctor - and a lawyer?
Morales: The lawyer lives in San Francisco.
Estevao: You provided emotional support?
Morales: Yes.
7h / 10:38 AM
[Photos from a video shoot]
Combs' Estevao: The goal was that she looked put together?
Mylah Morales: Yes.
Estevao: These photos show your artistry, you re-posted them on Instagram?
Morales: Yes.
Estevao: You were in her hotel room though you lived near?
Yes
7h / 10:31 AM
AUSA: No further questions.
Judge: Cross.
Combs' Estevao: Did you assist Ms. Ventura for any red carpet events?
Mylah Morales: Possibly. And some music video. Black and Yellow
Combs' Estevao: We have photos. 647, please
7h / 10:27 AM
AUSA: Have you done interviews about this?
Mylah Morales: A couple.
AUSA: Were you paid?
Morales: No.
AUSA: Did you provide evidence?
Morales: Photos of me and Kim Porter, early 2000s.
USA: Were you paid?
A: $1000
7h / 10:26 AM
AUSA: Then?
Mylah Morales: My doctor friend came and examined her, to see if she had a concussion.
AUSA: What were you afraid of?
Morales: Sean. I feared for my life-
Combs' Estevao: Objection. Move to strike.
Judge: Overruled.
AUSA: How long did she stay?
Days.
7h / 10:24 AM
AUSA: What did you hear behind the door?
Mylah Morales: Yelling and screaming, both of them. Then Sean Combs left.
AUSA: What did you see next?
Morales: Cassie. She had a swollen eye and knots on her dead. I packed her things up, we went to my house
7h / 10:22 AM
AUSA: Where were you with her?
Mylah Morales: Beverly Hills. I fell asleep in the room and woke up to a commotion. Cassie walked in - then Sean, asking Where the f*ck is she?
AUSA: What did he do?
Morales: Walk into the bedroom, shut the door
7h / 10:20 AM
AUSA: When did you work with Cassie?
Mylah Morales: 2007 until COVID. She was like a little sister to me.
AUSA: How much older than her are you?
Mylah Morales: A few years
AUSA: Did you see her with injuries on her face?
Morales: 2010, Grammy weekend. Prince party
7h / 10:17 AM
AUSA: Do you recognize anyone you've worked for?
Mylah Morales: Sean Combs. In the gray sweater and white collar.
AUSA: When did you work for Mr. Combs?
Mylah Morales: 2000 to 2005.
AUSA: Then who?
Morales: Rihanna.
AUSA: Who else?
Morales: Jennifer Lopez, Cassie
6h / 10:15 AM
Judge: This one is of a public event, so what's the problem?
AUSA Comey: It's a low-cut dress.
Judge: I'm allowing it in. But not 652 nor 745. Bring in the witness and the jury.
AUSA: What's your name:
Witness: Mylah Morales. I'm a celebrity makeup artist
7h / 10:08 AM
Judge: What's the relevance of these exhibits? The next witness did Ms. Ventura's makeup. But what's the purpose of the pictures? It's a 402 issue first, relevance
Combs's Estevao: Ms. Ventura testified about her career being impacted.
AUSA Comey: I'll stipulate
7h / 10:05 AM
Judge: I only have the album cover -
Combs' Estevao: We can bring it up on the screen. [Does, but not for the public gallery] We have withdrawn some of the exhibits. It's rather about her career opportunities and the like.
7h / 10:03 AM
[They're back, before the jury is brought it]
AUSA Comey: They want to put in exhibits showing Ms. Ventura scantily clad, we think it plays into a stereotype that if she dresses like this, she must have consented to the freak-offs.
8h / 9:19 AM
Judge: Break
8h / 9:17 AM
Judge: Any re-cross?
Combs' Steel: No, Your Honors.
Judge: Mr. Mescudi, you're done.
Mescudi: All right
[Leaves]
8h / 9:16 AM
AUSA: The meeting at the Soho House, Mr. Combs said, I don't know what you're talking about, about your car. Did you believe him?
Combs' Steel: Objection
Judge: Re-phrase.
AUSA: What was your understanding?
Mescudi: That he was lying.
AUSA: No further questions
8h / 9:12 AM
AUSA: Why did you have safety concerns?
Mescudi: Because I knew Sean Combs was violent -
Combs' Steel: Your Honor, may we approach?
[Sidebar]
8h / 9:11 AM
AUSA: Why did your relationship with Ms. Ventura end?
Mescudi: The drama, it was getting out of hand. I wanted to give space
AUSA: What drama?
Mescudi: The break in. For my safety, her safety-
Combs' Steel: Objection
Judge: Grounds?
Steel: Speculation
Overruled
8h / 9:09 AM
AUSA: What did Capricorn Clark tell you?
Mescudi: Sean Combs and an affiliate forced her into a car to come to my house... I called the police.
AUSA: How would you describe Cassie that day?
Mescudi: Just really shook. Him finding out about us
8h / 9:08 AM
Judge: Re-direct?
AUSA Johnson: What did Ms. Ventura confide in you about abuse?
Mescudi: That he would hit her, sometimes kick her.
AUSA: The day of the break in, was she carefree?
Mescudi: No.
8h / 9:06 AM
Combs' Steel: Do you know what a burner phone is?
Mescudi: Untraceable
Steel: The trespass, you call it a break-in, Ms. Ventura told you she'd given your home address to Mr. Combs?
Mescudi: Yes. In the morning.
Steel: No more questions. Thanks.
Mescudi: No problem
8h / 9:04 AM
Combs' Steel: In the 13 years since, have you ever been notified in California that there has been any more action on this car fire?
Mescudi: No
Steel: Did Ms. Ventura have multiple phones?
Mescudi: I don't remember.
Steel: 35-12..
Mescudi: If I said it, I said it
8h / 9:02 AM
Combs' Steel: But she never said she was sexually abused, true?
Mescudi: She did not.
Steel: You loved her? Tell me if I'm wrong.
Mescudi: I did.
Steel: You got played by the same person who played Mr. Combs... Cassie Ventura.
9h / 8:57 AM
Combs' Steel: You went to see him, you didn't think he had a gun?
Mescudi: I couldn't call it.
Steel: You are a strong person, that's how you categorize yourself?
Mescudi: Yeah. This crossed the line.
Steel: Ms. Ventura told you she was abused
Mescudi: Yes.
9h / 8:54 AM
Combs' Steel: You believe they left your front door unlocked?
Mescudi: Yes.
Steel: No forced entry?
Mescudi: No.
Steel: Just presents opened, door in the bathroom - I'm not belittling, just asking... You called Sean Combs?
Mescudi: Yeah.
Steel: He was calm?
Yes
9h / 8:49 AM
[After sidebar]
Mescudi: Mr. Steel, can I-
Judge: No, you can do that on re-direct.
Steel: Do you want to tell me something?
Mescudi: Sean Combs asked about me doing a song with Ms. Ventura in 2010.
Steel: Thank you.
9h / 8:48 AM
Combs' Steel: In 2011 you went on a tour?
Mescudi: Yes.
Steel: 65 locations?
Mescudi: Yeah.
Steel: At that time, Sean Combs as an icon, fair to say?
Mescudi: Yes.
Steel: You and Ms. Ventura had a sexual relationship?
AUSA: Objection!
SIdebar
9h / 8:40 AM
Combs' Steel: Ms. Ventura told you it was over?
Mescudi: We just stopped talking
Steel: You told this honorable court and this jury, that she played you?
Mescudi: Yes.
Steel: She played you and you had no clue?
Mescudi: No clue.
9h / 8:39 AM
Combs' Steel: The DNA taken, are you aware it came back being a female?
AUSA: Objection. No foundation.
Judge: Sustained
Steel: Do you know there were DNA results
Judge: I'll allow that
Mescudi: No
9h / 8:37 AM
Combs' Brian Steel: I want to ask you some questions about your Porsche, in 2022
Mescudi: 2012.
Steel: I apologize. You get a call about damage to your vehicle. Any surveillance photos?
Mescudi: No. My dog's babysitter did send me pictures of the damage
9h / 8:36 AM
AUSA: Did you see Sean Combs later?
Mescudi: A few years later, also at Soho House, he said, I'm just sorry for all that bullsh*t. I was surprised, so I found peace with it.
AUSA: No further questions at this time
Judge: Mr. Steel
9h / 8:35 AM
Mescudi: It was weird, Sean Combs being so calm.
AUSA: What did Cassie say?
Mescudi: That we have fallen in love, things happened
AUSA: What did you say to Mr. Combs?
Mescudi: What about my car. He said, "I don't know what you are talking about." I walked away
9h / 8:33 AM
AUSA: What was Mr. Combs doing?
Mescudi: Standing there like a Marvel Super Villain
[some laughter]
Mescudi: He said, We were homies, you know that is my girl
AUSA: What did you say?
Mescudi: I thought you had broken up. Then Sean Combs offered me water, twice
9h / 8:32 AM
Combs' Brian Steel: Can we have a sidebar?
Judge: Do you have an objection?
Steel: Yes.
Judge: Sustained. Disregard and move on.
AUSA: Who set up the meeting at Soho House?
Mescudi: D-Roc and my manager
9h / 8:30 AM
AUSA: Did you think it was accidental or intentional?
Mescudi: Intentional.
AUSA: Where did you last see Ms. Ventura?
Mescudi: At the Soho House... I'd reached out to Sean Combs and said, Let's talk, this is getting out of hand.
9h / 8:29 AM
Before jurors back
Judge: Will you finish the witnesses of today?
AUSA: Yes, though the cross of Mr. Kaplan was three times long that we thought
Jury entering!
AUSA: Was the damage on your car present before the call from the dogsitter?
Mescudi: No.
9h / 8:13 AM
Judge: Break
9h / 8:12 AM
AUSA: What was your reaction to your car being set on fire?
Mescudi: What the fuck
Objection
Judge: Overruled
9h / 8:10 AM
Mescudi: That's the damage to my Porsche from the Molotov cocktail.
AUSA: Who took these photos?
Mescudi: Chip, a good friend and collaborator.
AUSA: What's depicted here?
Mescudi: The hole they cut in the roof of my car to put in the Molotov cocktail
9h / 8:06 AM
AUSA: Where were you?
Mescudi: At a relative of my ex-girlfriend
AUSA: Where did you go?
Mescudi: To my house. 8925 Hollywood Hills Road
AUSA: Let me show you 6 pictures. Do you recognize?
Mescudi: My Porsche.
9h / 8:05 AM
AUSA: What did you say?
Mescudi: That I didn't want to talk with him, he broke into my house, hurt my dog
AUSA: Did you and Ms. Ventura break up?
Mescudi: Yes.
AUSA: What about your car?
Mescudi: My dog's babysitter called me and told me my car was on fire
9h / 8:03 AM
Judge: Ask a new question.
AUSA: When you saw Cassie, how did she seem?
Mescudi: Depressed.
AUSA: Did you see Cassie in Connecticut?
Mescudi: Yes. She needed it.
AUSA: Did Mr. Combs call you?
Mescudi: Yes, he hit me a few times?
AUSA: Hit?
Mescudi: Called me.
9h / 8:02 AM
Mescudi: I got back in & called Sean Combs again. I was looking for him. I wanted to fight him. You know.
AUSA: Did he answer?
Mescudi: Yeah. He said, I'm on my way. I thought to myself-
Combs' Steel: Objection
Judge: Grounds?
Steel: Non responsive
Overruled
10h / 7:59 AM
AUSA: How did you usually leave your dog?
Mescudi: I let him roam.
AUSA: How long had you had your dog?
Mescudi: Three years.
AUSA: What changes were behavior of your dog, after the break in?
Mescudi: Jittery, on edge all the time
10h / 7:58 AM
Mescudi: But the security cameras had been moved.
AUSA: Did you move them?
Mescudi: No.
AUSA: What did you see inside your home?
Mescudi: Gifts were open, some stuff I got from Chanel. And my dog was locked up in the bathroom.
10h / 7:57 AM
AUSA: You called Sean Combs?
Mescudi: I did... He said, I'm over here waiting for you.
AUSA: When you arrived, what did the outside look like?
Mescudi: Pretty normal.
AUSA: Any security camera?
Mescudi: Yes but I found out they weren't working
10h / 7:54 AM
AUSA: Who else did you speak with?
Mescudi: Capricorn Clark. She sounded near tears.
AUSA: What did she say?
Mescudi: That Sean Combs in the car, near my house
Combs' Brian Steel: Objection
Judge: Overruled
10h / 7:52 AM
AUSA: What was her demeanor?
Mescudi: Very stressed and worried.
AUSA: Where did you go?
Mescudi: The Sunset Marquis.
AUSA: Why?
Mescudi: I thought it was safe, off the radar
10h / 7:50 AM
AUSA: In December 2011 did law enforcement respond to your home?
Mescudi: Yes. I had a break-in. Cassie called me at 5:30 or 6 am. She said Sean Combs had found out about us. She asked me to pick her up. So I did. Yeah.
AUSA: Why?
Mescudi: She was worried
10h / 7:48 AM
Scott Mescudi: We dated in 2011.
AUSA: Who else was she involved with?
Mescudi: Sean Combs.
AUSA: What did you know about their status?
Mescudi: That she and Sean Combs had some problems and they weren't dating anymore
10h / 7:47 AM
Next witness
AUSA: We calls Scott Mescudi.
[Kid Cudi takes the witness stand in a leather jacket, white shirt and blue jeans]
AUSA Johnson: What did you do for work?
Mescudi: I'm an actor and musician. Known as Kid Cudi.
AUSA: Who is this? [photo]
A: Cassie
10h / 7:43 AM
AUSA: You told Ms. Khorram about both incidents?
Kaplan: Yes. And I told her, I am unwilling to stand behind the behavior, that I was quitting.
AUSA: Did Kristina say she would quit?
Kaplan: No
AUSA: How long did she stay after you told her?
Kaplan: Until recently
10h / 7:42 AM
Kaplan: I felt guilty I didn't do anything after the incident with Cassie on the plane.
AUSA: But you didn't see any injuries.
Kaplan: People can be injured without injuries being visible. The tonality and tension with the apples he threw at Gina, it was troubling
10h / 7:40 AM
Combs' Agifilo: They found you and subpoenaed you?
Kaplan: I had to retain counsel right away.
Agnifilo: No further questions.
Judge: Re-direct?
AUSA: Which incidents shook you?
Kaplan: The plane with Cassie and the apples with Gina.
10h / 7:39 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: What's this photo of?
Kaplan: Me, KK and Mr. Combs at Teterboro Airport, he'd just got the jet, that's why there's champagne
Agnifilo: You're happy there, right?
Kaplan: No, refresh it. It's that I was glad I had found the mascara in the back seat
10h / 7:37 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You sent him a photo of him & Kim Porter?
Kaplan: After she died. I was heartbroken for him
Agnifilo: You were close?
Kaplan: I invited him to my wedding. I didn't hear back-
Agifilo: Objection!
[Surprised looks]
Agnifilo: You respected him?
Yes.
10h / 7:30 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: When you set up hotel room for Mr. Combs & Ms. Porter, there was no baby oil, right?
Kaplan: Lotions.
Agnifilo: You expressed caution about hotels, why you cleaned the room afterward.
Kaplan: Hotel staff could sell photos. Everyone wants a payday
10h / 7:23 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: He threatened your jobs - but did he physically threaten you?
Kaplan: No.
Agnifilo: You talked about Kim Porter, how she was different
Kaplan: His respect for her. They had incredible kids
Agnifilo: Thank you.
10h / 7:20 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You don't remember how a person could get out of the gate at Two Star Island?
Kaplan: No. I just heard screaming and commotion.
Agnifilo: Screams of terror or of how can I open this gate?
Kaplan: I don't know how to distinguish between the two
10h / 7:17 AM
Combs' Agnfilo: On cheeseburgers? (smiles)
Kaplan: On everything.
Agnifilo: Let's talk about the plane. You heard glass breaking - you didn't see it?
Kaplan: I didn't see it.
Agnifilo: The incident with Gina - you walk into the house- there's a thin table?
A: IDK
10h / 7:14 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: How did Mr. Combs pay?
Kaplan: KK held his wallet, with a black AmEx in it.
Agnifilo: You have no reason to think he kept track of how baby oil was paid for?
Kaplan: No reason.
Agnifilo: Or apple sauce.
Kaplan: He loves apple sauce
10h / 7:13 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Was it a creative environment?
Kaplan: Absolutely. It attracted all kinds of creative people... Lawyers... Musicians... Advertising people
Agnifilo: A few specific questions - you used a corporate credit card?
Kaplan: Yes.
10h / 7:07 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: He didn't need to yell at you when you brought two waters
Kaplan: I worked hard.
Agnifilo: OK, who was Biggie?
Kaplan: A huge rapper who unfortunately passed away.
Agnifilo: Wasn't Biggie's birthday a holiday at Combs Enterprises?
A: Yes.
10h / 7:03 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You ran an offsite training.... a graduate from Harvard Business School... Also Kenny Burns
Kaplan: I remember
Agnifilo: You were effective, right?
Kaplan: I worked hard
Agnifilo: I don't know how you'll answer - was it good or bad?
A: Complicated
11h / 6:56 AM
Combs' Agnfilo: Is there a binder near you? I can't read that.
Kaplan: It says Southern District-
Agnfilo: I'm handing you something to refresh your recollection. Take a look at it as long as you want to.
11h / 6:55 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Your job, what was it?
Kaplan: For example, Mr. Combs would say, we are going to leave the house. He meant three to five minutes. I had a check list for the bags and toiletry. It was a bad look in me if something wasn't in there.
11h / 6:53 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: What did Blue Flame do?
Kaplan: Marketing for Ciroc.
Agnifilo: What is Diageo?
Kaplan: They own Johnnie Walker and others... Mr. Combs set up an marketing entity for Ciroc.
11h / 6:49 AM
Kaplan: I was an employee when Revolt TV launched.
Combs' Agnifilo: Tell me about it.
Kaplan: We were on 6th floor of 1710 Broadway, everyone was there. It was momentous.
Agnifilo: Diversity was important to Mr. Combs?
Kaplan: Specifically for African Americans
11h / 6:43 AM
Cross examination:
Combs' Agnifilo: Why did you go to work for Combs Enterprises?
Kaplan: He was an incredible entrepreneur. I have learned from him.
Agnifilo: What did Brian do as COO?
Kaplan: Ensuring profitability of each unit
11h / 6:40 AM
AUSA: When you left, what did you do?
Kaplan: I collected myself... Then went to work for an integrated marketing firm.
11h / 6:35 AM
AUSA: What was he throwing?
Kaplan: Green apples.
AUSA: How hard?
Kaplan: Very hard... Later I took the medicine bag into their room. Mr. Combs wanted me to leave quickly.
AUSA: Then what?
Kaplan: I heard Gina at the gate, and male voices.
AUSA: Who?
A: Security
11h / 6:31 AM
AUSA: Why did you leave Combs Enterprises?
Kaplan: I didn't think I should be covering things up, like buying the witch hazel. Also, my father had prostate cancer.
AUSA: Any of violence?
Kaplan: He threw things at Gina. In the entryway of the main home on Star Is
11h / 6:29 AM
AUSA: After the last glass breaking, what did Mr. Combs do?
Kaplan: He came forward. Cassie stayed in the back... He asked me to get creams, to conceal the bruising on her face.
AUSA: How did you pay for it?
Kaplan: Corporate credit card.
11h / 6:25 AM
AUSA: The jet flight to Las Vegas. What was the lay out of the jet?
Kaplan: Four chairs. A partition. I had a partial view over my right shoulder.
AUSA: When you witnessed violence by Mr. Combs on Ms. Ventura, why didn't you intervene?
Kaplan: My career.
11h / 6:20 AM
AUSA: What long term relationships of Mr. Combs were you aware of?
George Kaplan: Cassie... Kim... Gina.
AUSA: Who was Kim?
Kaplan: Mother of his children.
AUSA: Cassie?
Kaplan: Girlfriend.
AUSA: Gina?
Kaplan: Another girlfriend
11h / 6:18 AM
Judge: Let's get Mr. Kaplan back on the stand.
[Witness enters; jury enters]
AUSA: When did you carry cash for Mr. Combs?
George Kaplan: $50,000 on his private jet.
AUSA: Did you pick up cash for Mr. Combs?
Kaplan: $10,000 at Western Union, from Combs Enterprises
11h / 6:11 AM
[Note: down at courthouse entrance much security, presumably for arrival of Kid Cudi]. Now up in court, before jury is brought in]
Judge: I didn't hear Government objecting to Mr. Kaplan testifying about Ms. Ventura asking for drugs in Boston
11h / 6:09 AM
OK - US v Sean Combs Day 9, six witnesses including Kid Cudi, on Molotov cocktail,
cross by Brian Steel -
MATTHEW RUSSELL LEE of I.C.P.
the ears to the inside for
MIND OF MONKEY STUDIO
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
6h ago / 11:53 AM PDT
Witnesses next week include another former assistant of Combs, members of LAPD and LAFD
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Court will resume on Tuesday, giving jurors an extended holiday weekend, with another round of witnesses for the prosecutor.
Maurene Comey told the judge that Capricorn Clark, Combs' former assistant, will take the stand, as well as unnamed members of the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department.
6h ago / 11:51 AM PDT
The weekend comes early for jurors
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
HSI Special Agent Joshua Croft, who specializes in computer forensics, left the witness stand and drew a close on testimony for the week.
Court will not be in session tomorrow and Monday for the federal observance of Memorial Day.
When Croft left the witness stand and it was said that there'd be no more testimony, Judge Arun Subramanian jokingly asked jurors if they had any objections.
And after a bit of laughter in the courtroom, Subramanian told jurors to go for a bike ride or watch the Knicks playoff games this weekend.
6h ago / 11:48 AM PDT
Photos show damage to Kid Cudi's convertible
Doha Madani
Prosecutors admitted photos into evidence today that showed burn damage to Kid Cudi's car, which he said was caused by a molotov cocktail in 2012 after Combs learned Cassie was dating Kid Cudi.
The photos show what appears to be a burned hole through the top of the convertible roof as well as scorch marks on the driver's seat leather and door.
7h ago / 11:13 AM PDT
Hotel manager says room marked out-of-order after Combs' stay and would require 'deep cleaning'
Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and Doha Madani
Frederic Zemmour, the hotel manager at L’Ermitage hotel in Beverly Hills, testified that a room would require deep cleaning after Combs' stayed there.
Zemmour told the court that Combs would stay under an alias. Notes marked in his hotel profile included that Combs used excessive amounts of oil and spilled candle wax on everything.
The room had to be marked out of order for a deep cleaning after Combs left, Zemmour testified, and an additional $500 fee was charged for damage.
Combs' defense did not cross-examine the hotel manager.
8h ago / 10:56 AM PDT
Makeup artist testifies she gave a handful of interviews
Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Morales, under cross-examination, confirmed that she's done a handful of interviews in recent months as misconduct allegations agains Combs surfaced.
She acknowledged speaking on the record to well known media figures such as Don Lemon and Piers Morgan in 2024 and participating in some documentaries about Combs.
The defense sought to paint Morales as an attention seeker, but the effort seemed to fall flat.
8h ago / 10:31 AM PDT
Cassie left with swelling and busted lip after going into room with Combs, Morales says
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Morales corroborated some prior testimony from Cassie Ventura, who alleged that Combs beat her in a hotel bedroom after spotting her at an unexpected party at Prince's Los Angeles home.
The makeup artist told the court that she stayed behind to take a nap on the coach of Ventura's Beverly Hills hotel room that night and woke up to a commotion later. Morales testified that Ventura came in and went straight to the bedroom with Combs behind her.
The couple shut the door to the bedroom and Morales said she heard yelling and screaming before Combs left the hotel. She did not witness what occurred between the couple but said Ventura had a swollen eye, busted lip and knots on her head after the incident.
Morales testified that Ventura stayed with her for a few days after the incident and a doctor friend came to check on the singer, who refused to go to the emergency room.
The incident left Morales in fear for her life, so she didn't call the police, she said. She and Ventura saw each other a few times after that night but never acknowledged the incident, she said.
8h ago / 10:15 AM PDT
Government calls out 'sexual stereotypes' conveyed in topless pictures
Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Prosecutors accused the defense of prompting "sexual stereotypes" by handing over topless pictures of Cassie Ventura.
Combs' team gave the government pictures that showed when the next witness, the makeup artists Morales, did work for the defendant. Several of those pictures were of a topless Ventura, which drew Comey's ire.
"We don't want the suggestion of sexual stereotypes that if she dressed like this for photo shoots and in public it is more likely she consented to sexual activity," Comey told the judge.
Judge Subramanian also questioned whether any of the topless photos were relevant and defense lawyer Anna Estevao responded: "It shows that she had a full and blossoming career."
Subramanian allowed the defense to use some of the images, but not the topless ones.
9h ago / 10:00 AM PDT
Makeup artist Mylah Morales to take the witness stand
Doha Madani
Mylah Morales, a makeup artist Cassie Ventura mentioned in her testimony, is expected to take the witness stand when court resumes after lunch.
Last week, Ventura told the court that Morales stayed behind to nap as she and her friends went to a last-minute party at Prince's home. But Ventura rushed out once she saw Combs, whom she said she didn't speak to before going to the party.
According to Ventura, Combs tracked her down and beat her in another room while Morales was in the vicinity. Ventura told the court she then stayed with Morales for a few days as her injuries healed.
9h ago / 9:32 AM PDT
Government and judge livid over 'sexual' questions
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Away from the ears of jurors, Judge Subramanian chastised the defense for asking Kid Cudi about any sex he might have had with Cassie Ventura.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey called defense lawyer Steele's line of questioning "outrageous" and said: "We were shocked that defense spoke about sexual activity with this witness."
The judge agreed and said, "The line was clear and crossed."
"Mr. Steele, you knew the rule and it you did anyway," Subramanian said. "Is it going to happen again?"
"No," Steele replied.
9h ago / 9:21 AM PDT
Kid Cudi testimony concludes, court goes to lunch
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Kid Cudi is off the witness stand and is not expected to return.
Judge Subramanian instructed everyone to go to lunch and return at 1 p.m. ET, giving everyone roughly 45 minutes to break.
9h ago / 9:20 AM PDT
Kid Cudi testifies he had to break away from Cassie, as 'drama' was 'out of hand'
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Kid Cudi said he and Cassie needed to stop seeing each other due to the blowback of events that seemed to unfold.
"The drama was too out of hand and to give her some space," the witness said of them pumping the brakes on any possible relationship.
9h ago / 9:19 AM PDT
Cassie was worried and shaken up over Combs, Kid Cudi says
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Cassie was worried that Combs would go to Kid Cudi's home and appeared to be shaken about Combs' discovery of her relationship with Kid Cudi, the rapper testified.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson took over Kid Cudi's questioning after the defense, asking what Cassie told him about Combs' abuse. Kid Cudi told the court that Cassie informed him that Combs would hit and sometimes kick her.
9h ago / 9:07 AM PDT
Kid Cudi agrees he and Combs met over both of them being 'played' by Cassie
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Defense attorney Brian Steele asked Kid Cudi about the meeting he had with Combs, characterizing it as about a relationship where both men were "played."
Cudi agreed with Steele and responded "true" when Steele asked if the person who "played" both men was Cassie. Steele also asked Kid Cudi if Cassie was living two different lives, to which the rapper responded that she was.
10h ago / 8:55 AM PDT
The intimate life of Cassie and Kid Cudi ruled to be out of bounds
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian appeared to shut down defense efforts to get into the deeply private details of Ventura and Kid Cudi's relationship.
When Combs' attorney Brian Steele, on cross-examination, asked Kid Cudi if he and Ventura ever had consensual sexual relations, the government objected and both sides met the judge for a sidebar away from jurors' ears.
When that meeting broke up, Steele went on to another line of questions.
10h ago / 8:54 AM PDT
Combs apologized years after off-putting meeting, Kid Cudi said
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Combs' calmness during their meeting after the car fire was off-putting, Kid Cudi told the court.
At the end of the meeting, he said, he shook hands with Combs and asked Combs what they were going to do about his car. Combs told Kid Cudi he didn't have any idea what he was talking about, the rapper testified.
Combs then asked if they were cool, Kid Cudi told the court, but Cudi responded that Combs burned his car. A few years after the meeting, Cudi testified, Combs gave him a general apology for the past.
It was the last thing he expected to hear from Combs, Kid Cudi said.
10h ago / 8:41 AM PDT
Witness compares Combs to a 'Marvel supervillain'
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Kid Cudi recalled thinking Combs was like a comic book bad guy shortly after the witness' car had been torched in an attack he blamed on the defendant.
The pair agreed to see each other at Los Angeles hotel meeting room and Combs was already there by the time Kid Cudi arrived, the witness said.
Combs was calmly looking out the window with hands behind his back, looking like a "Marvel supervillain," Kid Cudi said.
10h ago / 8:37 AM PDT
Tense moment in court as defense objects to Kid Cudi connecting Combs to car fire
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
There was a hot moment in court when Kid Cudi was asked why he requested to meet with Combs after his car was set on fire.
The rapper responded that he reached out because he knew Combs was involved with the fire. Combs' defense objected to Kid Cudi's speculation, and his answer was struck from the record.
Judge Subramanian denied a request for attorneys to sidebar and the prosecution continued to question Kid Cudi.
10h ago / 8:33 AM PDT
Kid Cudi is comfortable and matter-of-fact in his testimony
Adam Reiss and Katherine Koretski
Kid Cudi doesn't appear to be nervous or stressed at all on the witness stand, answering questions with a very matter-of-fact tone.
The rapper seems comfortable and is speaking in a conversational manner as he relays his past interactions with Combs.
10h ago / 8:15 AM PDT
Combs calmly listening to Kid Cudi's testimony
Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Combs appeared to be calmly taking in Kid Cudi's testimony without showing much emotion.
At times, he sat back in his chair at the defense table with arms and legs crossed, as Kid Cudi described wild confrontations with the defendant.
Combs wore was cream-colored top and khaki pants to court today.
10h ago / 8:14 AM PDT
Molotov cocktail set Kid Cudi's car aflame, he said
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Kid Cudi's car caught fire in his driveway one day in 2012 while Cudi said he was about 45 minutes away from home.
The rapper testified that his dog sitter called to tell him what was happening and he rushed home. A friend sent him photos that showed the top of his Porsche open where a Molotov cocktail was thrown in, Kid Cudi said.
Prosecutors showed photos of the car in court and had Kid Cudi describe them.
Cassie testified that Combs threatened her and Kid Cudi, saying that Combs wanted to set fire to Kid Cudi's car in the man's driveway. She also told the court that Combs assured it would not be by his hands and he would not be in the country when it happened.
10h ago / 8:05 AM PDT
Combs allegedly broke into Kid Cudi's home
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Kid Cudi recalled how angry he was when Combs allegedly broke into his home in the Hollywood Hills.
The Grammy-winning rapper said Combs was remarkably calm when he called to confront him.
"He said, 'What's up?'" and I said, 'Motherf-----, are you in my house?' He said, 'I am here waiting for you,'" Kid Cudi testified.
He told the court that he wanted to fight Combs, but reminded himself that he didn’t know who Combs might have with him.
11h ago / 8:02 AM PDT
Combs' employee told Kid Cudi that Combs was in his house
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Kid Cudi testified that he got a call from Ventura in December 2011 saying that Combs had found out about the couple and that she asked him to pick her up. She was nervous and told Kid Cudi that Combs was abusive, he said.
Once Ventura was with him, Kid Cudi told the court, he took her to the Sunset Marquis to keep her safe and away from Combs.
At one point, he said, he received a call letting him know that Combs and an associate were at Kid Cudi’s home. Cudi said the call was made by Combs' employee at the time, Capricorn Clark, and Ventura was with her on speakerphone.
11h ago / 7:51 AM PDT
Kid Cudi says he and Cassie Ventura starting dating during break in her relationship with Combs
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Kid Cudi briefly met Ventura at an event in 2008 but they didn't start to date until 2011, he testified.
According to him, Ventura was having problems with Combs at the time and, to his knowledge, the couple were not dating when Ventura and Kid Cudi got together.
11h ago / 7:46 AM PDT
Debate over whether Kid Cudi can talk about his dog gets some laughs
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Earlier this morning, before the jury was seated, the attorneys had some humorous debate over whether Kid Cudi could testify about his dog's behavioral changes after a 2011 break-in at his home.
Defense attorney Brian Steele told Judge Arun Subramanian that the government wanted Kid Cudi to testify that his dog was traumatized after being put behind a closed door in December 2011. Prosecutor Emily Johnson argued that observations about the dog are relevant to the break-in.
"He's not going to testify to what the dog thought," Subramanian said, eliciting laughter from those in the courtroom.
Kid Cudi can testify about the dog, the judge decided, but only in broad terms, as Johnson noted that the dog is "no longer with us."
11h ago / 7:44 AM PDT
Kid Cudi takes the stand to testify against Combs
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Scott Mescudi, known by his stage name Kid Cudi, has taken the witness stand.
The rapper had a brief relationship with Combs' former girlfriend Ventura in December 2011 that prompted a threat of violence and blackmail from Combs, she testified last week.
Kid Cudi is expected to confirm much of Ventura's prior testimony in regard to Combs' violent threats against him.
11h ago / 7:43 AM PDT
Assistant doesn't remember if he told security about apple throwing incident
Doha Madani and Katherine Koretski
Combs' former assistant doesn't remember if he told Combs' security about a violent incident involving Combs pelting decorative apples at a woman.
Kaplan testified that he had no recollection of telling anyone on the security team about the incident, which he described under direct examination. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo also asked Kaplan whether he was ever personally threatened by Combs.
Though Kaplan said his job was threatened by Combs frequently, he said he was never subjected to threats of physical violence from his former employer.
11h ago / 7:20 AM PDT
Biggie Smalls' birthday a company holiday
Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
The witness knows that late rapper Christopher Wallace, better known as Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G., was born on May 21 — because that date was a Combs company holiday.
The defense lawyer Agnifilo asked Kaplan if he would've been working yesterday if he were still employed by Combs.
Kaplan said no, because Combs gave everyone the day off from work to mark the 1972 date when Wallace was born. The 24-year-old Brooklyn rapper was gunned down in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.
11h ago / 7:14 AM PDT
Working for Combs was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Though he didn't always like how Combs acted, Kaplan described his time working as the mogul's personal assistant as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Kaplan told the court during cross-examination Combs that pushed him to depths he didn't know he was capable of and that Kaplan's friends described it as his Harvard University. He described his work setting up Combs' meals, schedule, travel and planning a company "offsite" as part of his administrative duties.
It appears that Combs' defense is trying to undermine the government's case on Combs' racketeering charge, which asserts that Combs used his business as a criminal enterprise.
12h ago / 6:43 AM PDT
Violence prompted former assistant to quit in 2015, he says
Doha Madani and Katherine Koretski
George Kaplan left his job as Combs' assistant in December 2015 because he was not comfortable with the physical behavior he witnessed over the months in his role, he said.
He said it was a challenging decision but that he knew it was the right thing to do. In addition to the plane incident he said he witnessed and attending to Ventura's wounds at a different time, Kaplan told the court he saw Combs throwing decorative apples at another woman.
The alleged incident occurred in Miami between Combs and a woman named Gina. Kaplan testified that he saw an angry Combs throwing three of the apples at Gina as she tried to shield herself.
Kaplan said he heard a commotion later that night with screaming back and forth — after Kaplan said he gave Combs a medicine bag. Others have testified that Combs had a Louis Vuitton "med bag" full of illicit drugs.
The former assistant said he put in his resignation in September 2015 but that the reason he gave Combs was that his father was sick with cancer. Combs was very gracious at the time, he told the court, also testifying that he had to compartmentalize his experience working for Combs.
12h ago / 6:36 AM PDT
Ventura's bruised face needed immediate attention
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The witness said he once had to rush out of Combs' home to buy health and beauty items to cover up nasty bruises on Ventura's face.
Kaplan recalled the incident in Los Angeles in 2015 when he said he saw a visibly upset Ventura with bruising under her right eyebrow. That prompted Combs to order him to get over-the-counter lotions and other remedies to mask the discoloration, Kaplan told jurors.
The witness said he specifically remembered buying witch hazel.
12h ago / 6:32 AM PDT
'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Former assistant says Ventura cried for help during incident with Combs on private plane
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
George Kaplan, Combs' former assistant, told the court today that he witnessed a physical altercation between Combs and Ventura in 2015 during a private plane ride to Las Vegas.
Kaplan testified that he was seated at a table on the plane and that he heard glass shattering behind him. He then saw Combs standing over Ventura with a whiskey glass, who was on her back with her legs out trying to create space.
He heard a scuffle as Ventura screamed, "Isn't anybody seeing this?" before hearing more glass crashing, Kaplan testified. The former assistant said he was only 23 years old at the time, he told the court, and security did not intervene.
He said Combs came up to sit in the plane's cabin but told Ventura to stay in the back, where the bedroom was located behind a partition.
12h ago / 6:17 AM PDT
Court is in session
Pilar Melendez
Court is now in session, marking the ninth day of Combs’ trial.
12h ago / 6:16 AM PDT
George Kaplan returns to the stand
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
George Kaplan, a former personal assistant working for Combs, has returned to the witness stand to continue his testimony.
Prosecutor Maurene Comey will be questioning him.
13h ago / 5:14 AM PDT
Who is Kid Cudi?
Deon J. Hampton and Pilar Melendez
Grammy Award-winning rapper Kid Cudi is expected to testify today.
The 41-year-old, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, is expected to testify about his romantic relationship with Cassie Ventura over a decade ago, including an allegation that Combs blew up his car.
Cudi’s testimony will be key for the prosecution as it tries to bolster its charges that Combs engaged in racketeering and sex trafficking.
Cudi first gained national attention in 2008 with the release of his mixtape "A Kid Named Cudi." He is known for his hits "Pursuit of Happiness" and "Day N Nite."
Cassie Ventura testified last week that Combs kicked her after finding out she was cheating on him with Cudi in 2011.
Ventura's 2023 lawsuit alleges Combs told her at Paris Fashion Week in 2012 that he was going to blow up Cudi’s car after learning about the affair. Around that time, the lawsuit alleges, Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.
14h ago / 4:35 AM PDT
Here’s a recap of yesterday
Daniel Arkin and Pilar Melendez
A federal agent, a former executive assistant and a clinical and forensic psychologist testified at the trial yesterday.
Gerard Gannon, a federal special agent who planned the search of Combs' Miami home last year, walked jurors through photos of items seized at the property. Among the items were cellphones stuffed inside a designer boot, a designer bag filled with drugs including ketamine and MDMA, dozens of bottles of lubricant, and a .45 caliber handgun in a red suitcase.
Dawn Hughes, a clinical and forensic psychologist, testified about the impact of abuse trauma. She told jurors that victims of domestic violence often stay with their abusers and sometimes delay disclosing what they have experienced. The prosecution called Hughes to attempt to rebut the defense’s suggestion that Ventura (and other women) could have left Combs.
George Kaplan, a former assistant to Combs who was granted immunity to testify, told jurors that the music mogul "threatened" his job monthly. He told jurors how he bought "supplies" for Combs' hotel room, including candles, baby oil and lubricant.
15h ago / 3:38 AM PDT
Kid Cudi taking center stage today
Grammy-winning rapper Kid Cudi will be the biggest name yet to take the witness stand in Combs’ trial.
The 41-year-old’s name has been mentioned several times in testimony, as Cudi's ties to Combs’ former girlfriend Cassie Ventura allegedly sent the defendant into violent tantrums.
Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, is set to testify once Kaplan is finished. After Cudi finishes his testimony, makeup artist Mylah Morales, former Combs Enterprises CFO Tony Abrahams and John Croft are next on the witness list to take the stand.
15h ago / 3:38 AM PDT
Former assistant back on the stand this morning
David K. Li
The ninth day of testimony in Sean Combs' federal trial is set to begin this morning. George Kaplan, the rapper’s onetime assistant, will continue to be questioned.
Kaplan on Wednesday delivered an insider’s view of Combs’ frantic celebrity life. According to Kaplan, Combs was a difficult boss who made exacting demands and regularly threatened to fire him.
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