Week two of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ racketeering and sex trafficking trial began on Monday, May 19
His ex-girlfriend, Casandra Cassie Ventura, testified for four days last week about how he physically abused her and forced her to perform sex acts with male escorts
Combs pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies ever sex trafficking Ventura
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ made it clear to then-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, and Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard to never cross him, Richard testified at his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
In 2009, a day after Combs allegedly hit Ventura in the head with a skillet, he threatened them both, Richard testified on Friday, May 16 in Manhattan federal court.
“He said you could go missing, that we could die,” Richard told jurors, NBC News reports. “I was shocked but also scared, I couldn’t believe this would be the beginning of a journey for us (with the group Dirty Money).”
The alleged incident took place in Combs’ Los Angeles home in 2009, when Richard testified that the music mogul threw Ventura to the ground, struck her with a skillet full of eggs, put his arm around her neck and dragged her upstairs, NBC News reports.
“I was scared for her, I was scared to do anything,” Richard testified.
Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Sean “Diddy” Combs with members of Danity Kay including Aubrey O’Day, far left, and Dawn Richard, far right
Arrested in September 2024, the music mogul is charged with five 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 pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
On Sept. 10, 2024, Richard filed a complaint in New York federal court alleging that Combs sexually and verbally abused her for nearly 10 years, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
Per the complaint, throughout filming of the show Making the Band – which spawned Danity Kane and was produced by Combs — Richard alleged she experienced “aggressive and hostile behavior” from Combs, including “disparaging gender-based remarks” toward members and comments about Richard’s physical appearance.
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The complaint alleges Combs “deprived” the Danity Kane members “of basic needs such as adequate food and sleep” during seasons 3 and 4 of Making the Band.
Related: Does Cassie ‘Hate’ Diddy? She Answered on Witness Stand
She also allegedly witnessed Combs physically assault multiple women, including ex-girlfriend Ventura “on numerous occasions,” per the documents.
Ventura shared harrowing details of being physically and sexually abused last week when she was on the stand.
Related: Aubrey O’Day Will Not Testify at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial, Was Never Subpoenaed (Exclusive)
Combs could face up to life in prison if he is convicted on all counts. Since his 2024 arrest, he has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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