The first day of testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex crimes trial kicked off with a hotel security guard called by prosecutors.
In a New York City courtroom, Israel Florez — a former security guard at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles — recalled an incident where the rapper assaulted Cassie Ventura on March 5, 2016.
During his testimony, Florez recalled the moment he received a call that “there was a woman in distress on the sixth floor.”
Florez arrived to the area and saw Diddy “in a robe and some colored socks.” As for Cassie, she was on the floor covering her face.
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While in court, Florez testified that Diddy was in a “devilish state,” while Cassie allegedly looked “scared.”
During the incident, Florez recalled noticing a flower vase in the hallway that was destroyed. When he witnessed Diddy and Cassie fighting, he tried to escort them back to their rooms.
Carley Margolis/FilmMagicAccording to Florez, Cassie was trying to escape and walk away, but Diddy allegedly told her, “You’re not going to leave.”
At one point, Florez was allegedly “bribed not to tell anybody” about the events after Diddy held a “stash of money.” The security guard — who has been an LAPD officer since 2018 — told the music mogul, “I don’t want your money. Please go back to your room and stay in your room.”
Florez said he eventually caught up to Cassie and started questioning her. He noted she had a “purple eye.” Instead of getting police assistance, she allegedly told Florez, “I just want to leave.”
Security footage from the hotel began playing in the courtroom on Monday. Florez said he previously recorded portions of the video on his phone because he thought his wife wouldn’t believe him when he got home from his shift.
Sean “Diddy” Combs Paras Griffin/Getty ImagesDuring cross-examination, Florez was questioned why he didn’t include Diddy’s alleged “devilish state” in his report. Florez said he didn’t include it because it’s his opinion.
Florez also testified that Diddy was acting “cordial” and “cooperative” during the incident.
As for why the rapper offered financial support to Florez, the defense tried to paint a picture that the money offered was for the damage to the broken vase and not necessarily a bribe.
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In May 2024, CNN first published a hotel video of Diddy that showed the rapper chasing Cassie through a Los Angeles hotel hallway, grabbing her by the neck, throwing her to the ground and kicking her multiple times. At another point, he picked up her belongings and hurled an object in her direction before walking away.
The court presented portions of the original surveillance footage (not the edited version aired by CNN).
Days after CNN published the hotel footage, Diddy apologized for his “inexcusable” behavior captured in the video with a social media post.
Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic“It’s difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you gotta do that,” he said, in part. “I was f***ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted.”
Cassie and Diddy dated on and off from 2007 to 2018. Following their breakup, she accused him of abuse that allegedly occurred during their relationship. In November 2023, Cassie filed a lawsuit against Diddy where she alleged the music mogul raped and sexually abused her. One day after the singer filed her lawsuit, the exes settled out of court. Diddy denied all allegations in the suit. Cassie is expected to testify this month.
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Nearly one year later, Diddy was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied all of the allegations against him.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo said in a statement at the time. “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
Since his arrest, Diddy has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His four requests for bail were denied by Judge Arun Subramanian.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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