Some of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former sexual partners, a business associate, and a male sex worker are expected to testify at his upcoming federal criminal trial, as reported by multiple sources. The trial, set to begin next week, will include at least four witnesses who have previously filed civil suits against the music mogul.
Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, stands as a central witness and will testify under her real name. Other alleged victims—designated as “Victim-2,” “Victim-3,” and “Victim-4” in court documents—will testify under pseudonyms to protect their identities. In an unusual turn, Victim-3 has opted to testify without a pseudonym, as indicated in prosecutors’ filings.
Combs faces serious charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and coercing women into sexual situations, described by prosecutors as “Freak Offs.” These encounters allegedly involved drugging women and forcing them into non-consensual acts, with some incidents recorded by Combs. The authorities allege he manipulated his victims using threats and promises of financial support.
His legal team has called the allegations outlandish, asserting that they involve former girlfriends with whom Combs had consensual relationships. “These are the same individuals who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion,” they stated.
Ventura’s civil lawsuit, filed in November 2023, accuses Combs of a decade of physical and emotional abuse. It includes claims of being violently assaulted by Combs in a hotel in 2016—a claim corroborated by hotel surveillance footage previously aired by CNN.
The civil suits have broadly informed the criminal case, as many witnesses from those suits have been questioned during the federal investigation, which led to searches of Combs’ homes in March 2024 and his arrest in September 2024.
The trial will focus narrowly on the charges presented in court, as the judge recently ruled that previous allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs prior to the current indictment would not be admissible as evidence.
Combs is already facing over 60 civil lawsuits, heightening the stakes as the criminal trial approaches. The development of this case shines a light on ongoing issues around consent, power dynamics, and accountability within the entertainment industry, and its outcome could significantly impact how such cases are processed in the future.
The legal proceedings underscore the importance of due process and maintaining a fair judicial environment where both defense claims and victim testimonies can be thoroughly examined.
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