Sean “Diddy” Combs paid a lodge safety officer handy over surveillance footage that confirmed the hip-hop mogul violently attacking his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in a hallway, the officer testified on Tuesday (Jun 3) at Combs’ intercourse trafficking trial.
Eddy Garcia, who had labored at an Intercontinental lodge, instructed jurors that Combs contacted him shortly after the incident and requested for the footage. Combs mentioned he would “take care” of Garcia if he gave him the video, Garcia mentioned.
“He was involved that this video would get out and that it will damage his profession,” mentioned Garcia, who was granted immunity from prosecution to testify.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible to 5 counts together with racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say Combs over 20 years coerced girls, together with Ventura, to participate in drug-fuelled sexual performances with male intercourse staff referred to as “Freak Offs”.
The trial is in its fourth week.
Jurors had beforehand been proven a March 2016 surveillance video from the hallway of the Intercontinental lodge in Los Angeles the place Combs, sporting solely a towel, threw Ventura to the bottom, kicked her and dragged her away.
Ventura mentioned the incident occurred after Combs had given her a black eye throughout a “Freak Off”.
Garcia mentioned he relayed Combs’ message concerning the video to his boss, who instructed him he would give Combs the video in alternate for US$50,000.
The following day, Garcia testified he noticed his boss enter the room that hosted servers for the surveillance cameras.
He mentioned the boss gave him a USB drive, which he gave to Combs, who later returned with a brown bag and a cash counter.
Garcia mentioned Combs ran money from the bag via the counter, which displayed US$100,000, returned the cash to the bag, and handed the bag to him.
Combs’ attorneys have acknowledged he was at instances abusive in home relationships, however argue that ladies who took half in “Freak Offs” did so consensually.
Prosecutors say bribery is among the many racketeering acts that Combs or his workers undertook with the intention to facilitate “Freak Offs” and forestall phrase of his abuse from getting out.
Combs might face life in jail if convicted on all counts. Prosecutors have mentioned they could end presenting their case subsequent week, permitting the defence to placed on its case.
