THE guest list of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ supposed freak-offs is set to be exposed in his upcoming federal trial, and any celebrity who engaged in the alleged drug-fueled sex marathons should be concerned, experts have warned.
Opening statements in the highly anticipated sex trafficking trial of Combs are expected to get underway on Monday morning as the once-prominent music mogul and executive faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
At the core of the federal government’s case against Combs is the disturbing 2016 hotel surveillance footage depicting him physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura and the suspected video recordings of the alleged freak-offs.
Prosecutors said Combs, with the help of his assistants, managers, and security team, organized and hosted freak-off events at hotel rooms and undisclosed locations.
Combs ensured female and male prostitutes were present and stocked the rooms with drugs, alcohol, as well as baby oil and lubricant, according to the five-count federal indictment.
The guests would be forced into drug-fueled, days-long sex marathons with commercial sex workers, which would often leave victims disoriented and requiring IV fluid to recover, prosecutors allege.
Federal prosecutors said Combs would participate in, masturbate, and secretly record the sex gatherings.
DAMNING EVIDENCE
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor not involved in Combs’ trial, told The U.S. Sun it would not be shocking if one of the government’s witnesses namedrops a celebrity during the trial.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we start hearing the names of other people who participated in the freak-off,” said Rahmani, the president and co-founder of West Coast Trial Lawyers.
“Now, they haven’t been charged in this case, but some of them have been named in civil lawsuits brought by Diddy’s victims, many of whom are represented by attorney Tony Buzbee.
“So, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the victim witnesses in this case mentions another celebrity.
“Now, that celebrity being mentioned may not result in criminal charges, but it will certainly tarnish their reputation.
“And the last thing any celebrity wants right now is to be associated with Sean Diddy Combs.”
Rahmani told The U.S. Sun that if the alleged freak-off recordings exist, two sets of people should be concerned.
“The most powerful evidence that was seized by the government has to be the videos,” he added.
“And we’ve only seen one video of Diddy seemingly beating Cassie Ventura at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles in about 2016.
“Criminal defendants can lie. Only when CNN got a copy of that video in May of last year did Diddy finally issue an apology.
“That’s how powerful video evidence is. And that’s why the government wanted to get the hard drives, the iPhones, the iPads, because Diddy reportedly videotaped these freak-offs.
“And if you believe Cassie Ventura, and I do, he did so for his own sexual gratification and pleasure, but also potentially to maintain control over the participants.”
Rahmani continued, “The video of the freak-offs, if they exist, may be the most damning evidence in this case.
“It may be the reason Combs gets convicted.
“There are two sets of people that should potentially be worried. Obviously, if anyone participated in these freak-offs and sexually assaulted victims, they can be charged or sued civilly.
“But there are also individuals in Diddy’s entourage that maybe helped set up the freak-offs.
“People buying the baby oil, people contacting prostitutes, people getting the hotel rooms, setting up the lights and cameras.
“Those individuals could potentially also be charged.”
BOMBSHELL LIST OF NAMES
On the first day of jury selection, potential jurors were given an expansive 17-page form containing a list of 31 personal and triggering questions regarding history of domestic violence, sexual assault, or harassment.
In addition to the questions, the pool of prospective jurors received a list of people and places connected to Combs in various ways and who could come up during the trial.
The list of people included well-known names like actors Michael B. Jordan and Mike Myers, as well as rappers Kid Cudi and Kanye West.
However, why the celebrities could be named in the trial remains unclear.
The celebrities have not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Rahmani warned that the celebrities named in civil lawsuits should be concerned if Combs is convicted.
“The other celebrities, they’ve been able to avoid potential criminal charges, but if Diddy is convicted and others are implicated, they should certainly be worried that they may be next,” the former federal prosecutor said.
Lisa Bloom, the attorney representing a John Doe and Dawn Richard – the former Danity Kane member previously signed to Bad Boy Records – in their civil lawsuits against Combs, said her clients are looking forward to justice being served.
“I can tell you that [Richards] wants justice to be done,” Bloom, the founder of the Bloom Firm, told The U.S. Sun.
“Of course, it’s a time of high anxiety, I think, for all of the accusers. And, you know, glad I think that the trial is finally getting underway.”
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/14203787/diddy-sex-trafficking-trial-michael-b-jordan-kanye/