Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs grabbed, dragged then-girlfriend in NYC hotel, male stripper testifies

The high-profile sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs commenced this week in Manhattan federal court, drawing significant media attention.

On the opening day, a male stripper, Daniel Phillip, took the stand as the prosecution's second witness. Phillip testified that he had sexual encounters with Combs' then-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, on multiple occasions in 2012 and 2013, stating these acts occurred for payment and that Combs was present and observed them.

Phillip also recounted a disturbing episode at a New York City hotel. According to his testimony, Combs threw a liquor bottle in Ventura's direction, grabbed her hair, and dragged her, screaming, into an adjacent room. Phillip stated he then heard shouting and sounds of slapping from that room.

Following this alleged incident, Phillip described Ventura as visibly shaken and terrified. He testified that she was "literally shaking" and "jumped into my lap" after Combs left the hotel room.

Mr. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to the serious charges brought against him. These include five felony counts related to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted on all counts, he faces a potential sentence ranging from a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison.

Prosecutors allege that Combs manipulated women into romantic relationships, compelling them to participate in multi-day, drug-fueled sex parties. They claim he then used recorded videos of these encounters to blackmail them.

Assistant prosecutor Emily Johnson stated in her opening remarks that Combs would "viciously attack" women when they resisted participating in the parties, referred to as "Freak Offs," or otherwise displeased him.

Jurors were shown a 2016 video during the trial. The footage, which first aired on CNN last year, appears to show Combs assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles area hotel hallway, throwing her to the ground and kicking her as she attempted to enter an elevator.

The video also shows Combs, wearing only a towel, grabbing Ventura’s belongings and dragging her back into the hallway before leaving her lying motionless on the ground for a moment.

Sean Combs publicly apologized for the actions depicted in the video after it was broadcast last year.

The prosecution's first witness was Israel Florez, a former security guard who testified about receiving a call for assistance during the 2016 incident. When asked to describe Ventura's state, Florez replied that she appeared "Scared."

Florez also told the jury that Combs offered him a sum of cash, which he understood as an attempt to bribe him into silence about the incident. Florez testified that he declined this offer.

Prosecutor Johnson informed the jury they would hear testimony from alleged victims who claim Combs routinely physically assaulted them and became enraged over minor provocations. She described how witnesses would testify about participating in the defendant's "sexual fantasies" while high on drugs in hotel rooms, acknowledging these were "some of the most painful experiences of their lives."

The defense presented its counter-argument, with lawyer Teny Geragos asserting that prosecutors were attempting to portray consensual relationships as criminal racketeering and sex trafficking.

"Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case," Geragos told the court, arguing that the case revolved around "voluntary choices made by capable adults in consensual relationships."

Marc Agnifilo, Combs' lead attorney, previously stated that the 2016 hotel incident reflected the aftermath of a dispute concerning infidelity. In a prior court hearing, Agnifilo also suggested that Ventura had a history of domestic violence, seemingly seeking to challenge the prosecution's portrayal of her as solely a victim. Ventura's lawyer declined to comment on the matter.

Combs' family, including his mother, Janice Combs, and six of his children, were present in the courtroom's front row. Combs, dressed in a beige sweater, smiled at his family and blew them a kiss before taking his seat with his legal team.

He appeared in good spirits when leaving for a lunch break, pumping his fist and smiling at his children, one of whom made a heart symbol with her hands in response. Outside the courthouse, onlookers and media gathered, recording videos as they vied for a glimpse of Combs' family.

Combs is widely recognized for his significant impact on the music industry, notably for launching the careers of artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige and contributing to hip-hop's mainstream popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s.

A key component of the defense strategy at trial is anticipated to involve challenging the credibility of the women providing testimony against Combs. The defense highlighted potential motives for the accusers.

Defense attorney Geragos questioned the timing and motivation behind the allegations, stating, "Ask yourself why are they making this allegation now? What is their motive? For many of them the answer is simple: money."

It is noted that Combs has faced at least 50 civil lawsuits containing allegations of sexual abuse. Among these is a lawsuit filed by Casandra Ventura herself, which was ultimately settled for undisclosed terms.