Diddy trial recap: Security guard says Sean Combs handed him $100k in a paper bag for LA hotel assault video

Diddy’s ex-assistant cries while revealing why she stayed silent on alleged assaults as she finishes three days of testimony

The celebrities mentioned during Diddy’s sex trafficking trial

Diddy trial recap: Ex-assistant ‘Mia’ says she was ‘brainwashed’ and didn’t report Sean Combs’s alleged abuse

50 Cent claims he will personally intervene with Trump to stop any pardon of Diddy

Key points

• Recap: Hotel security guard and ex-CFO testify
• LA hotel security guard Eddy Garcia takes the stand in Sean Combs trial
• Eddy Garcia testifies his boss sold footage InterContinental Hotel footage to Diddy for $50k
• Who is Derek Ferguson? Ex-executive at Combs's companies testifies

Jury dismissed

Judge Arun Subramanian has dismissed the jury for today.

Court will resume on Wednesday morning.

Security guard Eddy Garcia set to take stand this morning

Eddy Garcia, the security guard at the Los Angeles hotel where Sean “Diddy” Combs was captured in security footage attacking his longtime girlfriend Casandra “Cassie”Ventura, is set to take the stand.

Garcia was a security supervisor at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City at the time of the infamous assault after a “freak-off” in March 2016.

Did Combs try to buy-back security footage for $100k?

Prosecutors are expected to delve into events that unfolded after Sean Combs’s attack, which allegedly involved the music mogul delivering $100,000 in a brown paper bag in an attempt to purchase the security footage.

Combs does not deny the payoff. His attorneys, however, said the payment was to avoid negative headlines.

Recap: What did Combs's assistant 'Mia' testify yesterday?

Sean “Diddy” Combs’s former assistant “Mia” returned to the witness stand for a third and final time on Monday, kicking off the fourth week of testimony in the music mogul’s sex trafficking trial.

Mia, who was given a pseudonym to protect her identity, testified that she did not report Combs’s sexual abuse because she was “terrified and brainwashed” by him. Her testimony came after Combs’s attorney Brian Steel asked her if she told the truth when she testified last week that Combs sexually assaulted her.

"I would not lie in this courtroom," Mia responded. "I never lied in this courtroom. Everything I have said is true."

Security supervisor to testify under immunity order

To spare himself from potential prosecution, security guard Eddy Garcia will testify under an immunity order. It came after he told the government that he intended to assert his Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate himself.

Recap: Mia's teary testimony as she explains why she stayed silent

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ former assistant ended her testimony Monday with her head hung low as she tearfully explained that sharing the alleged sexual abuse she endured has been “the worst thing” she’s ever discussed.

For almost the entirety of her three days of testimony, “Mia” kept her head down, unable to look up at the lawyers or the man she’s accused of physically, psychologically, sexually and verbally abusing her.

When asked why, “Mia”– a pseudonym – tearfully explained the sexual assaults and rape are “the worst thing I’ve ever had to talk about in my life.”

“I can’t look my nieces or my goddaughter in the eyes and ever advise them if they were in this situation,” the ex-assistant told the court with her head bowed.

Ariana Baio has the full story:

Diddy’s ex-assistant explains why she stayed silent about alleged assault

Woman heckles Diddy in courtroom

A woman disrupted court today when she heckled Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“Diddy, motherf****** laughing at you at every damn courtroom...it’s not a f****** game,” the woman yelled.

Judge Arun Subramanian asked the court officers to remove her.

She entered as prosecutors told Subramanian someone identified Mia, Combs’s ex-assistant, by her legal name rather than her pseudonym yesterday. The judge said he will notify court security.

Judge bans man who shared Mia's real name

A man has been barred from court after revealing the real name of Mia, Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-assistant who testified under a pseudonym.

The man referred to Mia by her real name on his YouTube channel and filmed outside the courthouse yesterday, prosecutors told Judge Arun Subramanian.

Subramanian has now barred the man from court.

Hotel security employee takes the stand

Eddy Garcia, a security employee at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, has taken the stand.

Garcia was on duty shortly after Sean “Diddy” Combs was recorded punching, kicking and dragging Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway after a “freak-off” in March 2016.

Prosecutors are expected to delve into events that unfolded after the infamous assault, which they have said involved the music mogul delivering $100,000 in a brown paper bag to purchase the security footage.

Garcia signed an immunity order, meaning he won’t be prosecuted for what he says on the stand as long as he’s telling the truth.

Garcia details employment at InterContinental hotel

Eddy Garcia says he was 24 years old and had been working as a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel for a few months when Sean “Diddy” Combs was recorded punching, kicking and dragging Cassie Ventura in the hotel’s hallways.

Shortly afterward, Garcia confirmed to prosecutors he’s testifying under an immunity order.

Garcia began working shortly after Diddy attacked Cassie

Eddy Garcia said he started his shift shortly after Sean “Diddy” Combs was recorded punching, kicking and dragging Cassie Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016.

Garcia testified he was told the police weren’t called because Ventura didn’t ask for them.

“Miss Ventura did not request the presence of police or medical attention,” he said.

Garcia said he then watched the footage of the incident and didn’t initially recognize Combs or Ventura.

Combs's ex-chief of staff requested hotel video footage, Eddy Garcia testifies

Eddy Garcia, a security officer at the InterContinental Hotel, testified that Kristina Khorram called the front desk, identified herself as Sean “Diddy” Combs’s assistant, and asked for the footage of him attacking Cassie Ventura.

Khorram was Combs’s chief of staff.

Garcia said Khorram asked if there was “any possible way to get a copy of the video or see the video.” She added that Combs was “intoxicated” and “didn’t remember” the incident, Garcia testified.

Garcia didn't show footage to Diddy's chief of staff

InterContinental Hotel security employee Eddy Garcia testified that he didn’t give Sean “Diddy” Combs’s chief of staff Kristina Khorram access to the footage.

Garcia said he told Khorram to contact hotel management or obtain a subpoena.

Garcia recalled telling her, “Off the record, it’s bad.”

Diddy personally asked Eddy Garcia for video, he testifies

Eddy Garcia testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs personally asked him for footage of the March 2016 incident.

“Mr. Combs sounded very nervous, just was talking really fast, was just saying that he had a little too much to drink and that I knew how things was,” Garcia testified.

Combs told him that “if this got out, it could ruin him,” Garcia said.

Security employee says Diddy offered to 'take care' of him

Eddy Garcia testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs offered to “take care of” him in exchange for the footage of him attacking Cassie Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel. Garcia testified he knew Combs meant it in a financial sense.

“He stated that I sounded like a good guy, that I sounded like I wanted to help, that something like this could ruin him,” Garcia testified. “He was concerned that this video would get out and that it would ruin his career.”

“He again stated that I sounded like I wanted to help and he believed I could make it happen,” Garcia added.

Eddy Garcia testifies his boss sold footage for $50k

Eddy Garcia testified that his boss at the InterContinental Hotel sold Sean “Diddy” Combs the footage of the attack for $50,000.

Garcia said he called Combs and Kristina Khorram to tell them the news.

Garcia said Combs told him, “Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help, I knew you could do it.”

Garcia said his boss then gave him a USB stick with the footage on it and told him to deliver it to Combs.

“He was happy, sounded excited, and said how fast I could get it to him,” Garcia testified.

Security guard testifies Diddy called him 'my angel' and wanted to make him comfortable

Eddy Garcia testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs repeatedly called him “Eddy my angel” and tried to make him comfortable when he delivered the security footage.

“I believe...he was making me feel comfortable,” Garcia testified. “At the time, I was very nervous and my voice kept cracking.”

Garcia said Combs was smiling and happy as he delivered the footage.

Combs wanted only one copy of footage, security guard testifies

Eddy Garcia testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs wanted only one copy of the hotel footage to exist.

“He said it had to be the only copy and that he didn’t want it getting out and if I was sure nothing was on the cloud,” Garcia said.

Garcia testified that his boss confirmed it was the only copy and that the footage had been wiped from the servers.

Combs then FaceTimed Cassie Ventura and told her to “let him know that you want this to go away, too,” Garcia testified.

Eddy Garcia says he signed an NDA

Eddy Garcia, a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel, said Sean “Diddy” Combs had him sign a non-disclosure agreement after he delivered footage of the March 2016 assault.

Garcia said he didn’t read the NDA: “I was nervous, I was in a rush to get out of there.”

The NDA said Garcia must pay $1 million if he breaches the agreement.

Diddy paid Eddy Garcia $100k in a brown bag, he testifies

Eddy Garcia said Sean “Diddy” Combs handed him $100,000 in a brown paper bag after he delivered the assault footage.

Garcia said he assumed half of it was for his boss, whom Combs agreed to pay $50,000 for the footage.

Garcia gave $50,000 to his boss and $20,000 to a fellow security officer on duty, he testified.

Diddy followed up about hotel footage weeks later, security guard testifies

Eddy Garcia testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs contacted him around Easter, several weeks after he delivered the assault footage, and asked if anyone contacted him about it.

“He said Happy Easter, Eddy my angel, God is good, God put you in my way for a reason,” Garcia testified.

“He proceeded to ask if anyone has asked about the incident or the video,” he continued.

Garcia said he spoke to the police after CNN publicly aired the video in 2024. He wasn’t honest with them about his involvement, he added.

Garcia said he was truthful when government prosecutors later contacted him about this case.

Garcia is testifying under an immunity order and can’t be prosecuted for what he says, as long as it’s the truth.

Garcia bought a used car with cash from Diddy

Eddy Garcia said he bought a used car with the $30,000 he took from Sean “Diddy” Combs’s payout.

Combs suggested Garcia not make any big purchases with the cash, he testified. Garcia said Combs handed him $100,000, half of which he gave to his boss. He also gave $20,000 to a fellow security guard on duty.

Defense reviews NDA on cross-examination

Sean “Diddy” Combs’s attorney Brian Steel briefly cross-examined Eddy Garcia, focusing on the NDA he signed.

Steel pointed out the NDA said Garcia could disclose information to police without having to pay the $1 million penalty, as long as he notified Combs’s company.

Prosecutors then launched their re-direct examination, noting that the company could try to prevent disclosure if Garcia notified them.

The jury is now on a short break.

Court resumes

Judge Arun Subramanian has called the jury back into the courtroom after a short break.

Derek Ferguson, the former lead of finance for Combs Enterprises, is now set to testify.

Combs's head of finance testifies

Derek Ferguson, the former head of the finance department for Combs Enterprises, is now testifying.

Ferguson worked for Sean “Diddy” Combs from 1998 to 2017, he testified. Ferguson confirmed he’s testifying because he was subpoenaed.

Derek Ferguson says Diddy was sometimes his supervisor

Derek Ferguson, the former head of the finance department for Combs Enterprises, said Sean “Diddy” Combs sometimes acted as his supervisor.

Ferguson would talk to Combs multiple times a week, he testified.

Who is Derek Ferguson?

Derek Ferguson worked for Sean “Diddy” Combs from 1996 to 2017, he testified today.

Ferguson worked across Combs’s companies, including as head of finance for Combs Enterprises and chief financial officer at Bad Boy Entertainment.

He worked as the CFO for Bad Boy Entertainment from 1998 to 2012.

Ferguson said he reported to Combs and met with him multiple times a week. Ferguson said he and Combs both had access to company bank accounts.

Former CFO says Diddy used company card for personal purchases

Former Bad Boy Entertainment CFO Derek Ferguson testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs used the company card for personal purchases “from time to time.”

Ferguson said he also sometimes managed Combs’s personal finances, such as helping him plan his yearly budget.

Court breaks for lunch

Judge Arun Subramanian has dismissed the jury for a lunch break.

Derek Ferguson will continue testifying when court resumes.

Prosecutors flag concerns about release of 'Mia's' identitity

Prosecutors have told Judge Arun Subramanian that a news outlet is reporting the true identity of “Mia,” Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-assistant who testified under a pseudonym.

Prosecutors now want the outlet banned from court. Earlier today, they also asked Subramanian to ban a YouTuber who revealed Mia’s identity.

Jury sees bank statements showing Cassie Ventura's parents paid Combs

Prosecutors showed the jury bank statements from Sean “Diddy” Combs’s account in 2011.

The statements show a $20,000 transfer to Cassie Ventura on December 14. Just over a week later, Cassie’s father wired Combs $20,000.

Five days after that, the $20,000 was transferred back to Cassie’s father.

This comes after her mother, Regina Ventura, testified that Combs demanded $20,000 from Cassie in December 2011 after she started dating Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi.

Combs said he wanted this money to recoup what he spent on Cassie, her mother testified. Combs said he’d release explicit videos of Cassie if he didn’t get the money, Regina said. She also testified that the money was returned to them shortly afterward.

Ex-CFO had little contact with Diddy after leaving company

Former Bad Boy Entertainment CFO Derek Ferguson said he had little contact with Sean “Diddy” Combs after parting ways in 2017.

Ferguson said he last heard from Combs in September 2024, when he asked the former CFO to meet up in New York City because he wanted advice.

Ferguson wasn’t able to meet him at the time, he testified.

Courtroom sketches: Eddy Garcia testifies, woman removed from court

Ex-CFO says he would 'do everything' to ensure there was no financial impropriety

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked ex-Bad Boy Records CFO Derek Ferguson about potential financial fraud during his time working for Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“You would never let there be financial impropriety on your watch in that company, am I right?” Agnifilo asked.

“I would do everything I could to not let that happen,” Ferguson testified.

Ferguson added that he never saw anyone help Combs commit a crime, be violent or make violent threats.

Defense asks ex-CFO about prostitution and Combs

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked ex-Bad Boy Records CFO Derek Ferguson if he ever saw anyone “enhance” Combs’s reputation or the reputation of his businesses through prostitution.

Ferguson replied that he had not.

The ex-CFO also testified that Combs had a “great business mind” and “worked constantly.”

Recap: Hotel security guard and ex-CFO testify

Court kicked off Tuesday with testimony from Eddy Garcia, a security employee at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City.

Garcia was on shift as a guard shortly after Sean “Diddy” Combs was caught on camera hitting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at the hotel in March 2016.

Garcia testified that Combs wanted to obtain the footage, and his boss sold it to Combs for $50,000. Garcia delivered the footage to Combs, at which point the music mogul verified it was the sole copy.

After Garcia handed it over, Combs gave him a paper bag with $100,000 inside, he testified. Garcia gave $50,000 to his boss and $20,000 to a fellow guard on duty.

Combs had Garcia sign an NDA with a $1 million penalty if he violated it, the security employee testified.

Next up was Derek Ferguson, who worked for Combs from 1998 to 2017. He held multiple roles, including CFO of Bad Boy Entertainment.

As Ferguson testified, prosecutors showed the jury bank statements that corroborated previous testimony from Ventura’s mother.

Earlier, Regina Ventura testified that Combs demanded $20,000 from her daughter after she started dating Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi. If she didn’t pay him, Combs said he would release explicit footage of Cassie, Regina testified.

Regina revealed her and her husband took out a home equity loan to make the payment in December 2011. Today, prosecutors showed bank statements that show Cassie’s father wiring $20,000 to Combs on December 23, 2011. Four days later, the money was sent back to Cassie’s father.

Throughout the day, prosecutors also raised concerns that some are reporting the identity of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-assistant, who testified under the pseudonym “Mia.” Judge Arun Subramanian has barred at least one person from the court who reported Mia’s real name on YouTube.

A woman was also escorted from the courtroom today because she heckled Combs.