- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Ex-Assistant Testifies: "Terrified" by His Contact After Cassie's Lawsuit
The ongoing legal battles surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs took a dramatic turn on Friday as his former personal assistant, identified in court as "Mia," gave harrowing testimony at his sex trafficking trial. Mia recounted her visceral reaction to Combs attempting to contact her shortly after his former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual abuse in November 2023.
According to Mia, the attempt to reconnect felt deeply threatening. "It was just so triggering to see that," she stated, describing how she reacted upon seeing Combs calling her. This trial is a federal case in Manhattan, and Mia is one of three women expected to testify regarding allegations of sexual abuse by Combs.
The Immediate Aftermath: Fear and Avoidance
Mia's testimony painted a vivid picture of her state of mind following Cassie's lawsuit and the subsequent attempt by Combs to reach out. Key points from her testimony include:
- Initial contact from D-Roc, a former bodyguard, initially brought elation until she realized he was at Combs' home and facilitating the contact.
- This realization quickly turned to fear: "terrified, threatened, scared, nervous."
- A desire to "play dumb" and create a strategy for self-protection.
- The extreme reaction of throwing her phone and fleeing outside when Combs himself tried to call.
“I didn’t want my life to be in danger,” Mia explained, highlighting the gravity of her concerns.
Legal Context and Previous Allegations
Combs' legal troubles have been mounting. Following his September arrest, bail was repeatedly denied amid prosecutors' claims that he and associates contacted potential victims and witnesses after Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit. That lawsuit, which contained serious allegations of sexual abuse, was settled remarkably quickly – reportedly within a day – for **$20 million**.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson emphasized during a September bail hearing that Combs had contacted at least one victim in November 2023 and maintained consistent contact with witnesses, even as recently as last July. This pattern of communication has fueled concerns about potential witness tampering and obstruction of justice.
Defense Cross-Examination and Conflicting Perceptions
Combs’ lawyer, Brian Steel, aggressively cross-examined Mia, focusing on her social media posts about Combs, Cassie, and related events. He highlighted a 2013 birthday post where Mia referred to Combs as her "mentor," thanking him for "always letting me give birth to my dreams," accompanied by a comedic image of Combs assisting in a mock childbirth.
Steel questioned the seeming contradiction, asking, “Here, you have posted on your personal account your rapist delivering the baby?” This line of questioning aimed to undermine Mia’s credibility and portray her relationship with Combs in a more positive light.
Mia's Explanation and Long-Term Impact
Mia clarified that her social media posts were a carefully constructed façade, designed to present a positive image to the public, including Combs' fans. “Instagram was a place to show how great your life was, even if it was not true,” she stated.
She also detailed the lasting impact of the alleged abuse, stating she hasn't been able to work since leaving her position due to post-traumatic stress. Even innocuous actions, such as someone calling her name, trigger alarm and anxiety.
Key Details of Mia's Allegations:
- Rape in Los Angeles home after a forced kiss at Combs' 40th birthday party.
- Sporadic sexual assault.
- Received $250,000 as part of a $400,000 settlement for unpaid bonuses and overtime, but didn't disclose sexual abuse to her lawyers.
- Acknowledged using terms of endearment like "family" and "love" with Combs and colleagues.
- Dated Combs' sound engineer while employed at Bad Boy Entertainment.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, which carry a potential sentence of 15 years to life if convicted.
This case continues to unfold, raising profound questions about power dynamics, the complexities of trauma, and the search for justice in the face of serious allegations. The testimony of individuals like Mia offers a crucial, albeit painful, glimpse into the experiences of those who allege abuse and the long-lasting consequences they endure.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-diddy-trial-cassie-mia-6c4b88730a4fe33f5309ffb0bd839260- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Comments
Post a Comment