Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: Male escort, The Punisher, testifies in rapper's sex trafficking case

Cassie Ventura (SDNY)

Cassie Ventura documented a number of injuries she allegedly sustained from her ex-boyfriend, Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The U.S. Attorney's Office submitted photo evidence to the court, with images of the now 38-year-old singer showing bruising on her leg and back.

In one image, Cassie wore a pair of oversized sunglasses and a black hoodie over head with what appeared to be swollen lips.

Cassie wrapped testimony Friday after four days on the witness stand as "Victim 1" for the government.

She testified last week that she had been trying to escape a “freak off” on March 5, 2016 when the surveillance video, seen first by the public in part in May 2024, was taken.

In the middle of the alleged “freak off” session, Cassie testified that Diddy hit her, which caused a black eye. She attempted to leave and escaped to the hallway elevators, but the next thing she knew, she was on the ground.

Sean "Diddy" Combs and Cassie Ventura allegedly hired Sharay Hayes for eight to 12 encounters. (Getty Images)

A male escort Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura hired for the rapper’s alleged “freak offs” testified Tuesday.

Sharay Hayes, also known as The Punisher, claimed Diddy wore a veil covering his face during the first sex session.

Hayes described the hotel room as dimly lit. He testified that all furniture was covered with sheets and there were little bowls of water with bottles of baby oil around. The male escort said he came out of the bathroom wearing a towel and Cassie rubbed some baby oil on her and he rubbed some on him.

After a bit, a man allegedly came into the room. He was “nude” and his face was completely covered by a veil, according to Hayes.

Hayes remembered the man sitting behind a table and chair and at times pacing back and forth. He allegedly spoke with Cassie directly during the interaction, giving subtle directions.

According to Hayes, the encounter lasted 25-45 minutes. It ended when the man stood and left the room. Cassie followed, and when she returned she asked Hayes if he wanted to finish. Hayes interpreted this to mean having an orgasm, which he declined. Cassie allegedly handed him an additional $1,200.

Hayes testified that he did not know who the man was at the time he entered the room. He claimed he later learned it was Diddy when he was contacted for a similar act.

Hayes claimed to have about eight to 12 encounters with Cassie and Diddy. He testified the rapper eventually switched from wearing a veil to wearing a baseball cap.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs and Cassie Ventura allegedly hired sex workers for the "freak offs." (Getty Images)

Male escort Sharay Hayes, also known as The Punisher, took the stand after Regina Ventura’s short testimony.

Regina testified about Diddy’s alleged blackmail of Cassie and the family along with the first time she learned that Diddy was reportedly laying hands on her daughter.

Hayes took the stand and claimed that he was hired in late 2012 to “create a sexy scene” for Diddy and Cassie . He testified he communicated with Cassie, who used the name Janet, to set up the meeting. The party he was originally hired for was supposed to begin at midnight but got pushed back to 2am, Hayes testified. He claimed the party was at Trump Tower, Central Park West in NYC.

Hayes explained he thought he was going to be working for a small group of friends. Cassie greeted Hayes when he arrived and invited him into the hotel suite, he recalled. Hayes said “I was expecting a crowd.”

According to Hayes, Cassie said she didn’t want him to dance. Instead, Cassie allegedly explained that she and her husband liked to create a scene where they applied baby oil while her husband watched.

Hayes said after Cassie explained what she wanted, she handed him a stack of cash totaling $800. He continued that he was “specifically told” to not look at her husband, to not acknowledge him.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs allegedly abused Cassie Ventura. (Getty Images)

Cassie’s mother, Regina Ventura, testified Sean “Diddy” Combs demanded $20K from the family in 2011.

The jury was shown an email from Cassie to her mother on Dec. 23, 2011. In the email, Cassie said that Diddy would release two sex tapes. Cassie’s email also claimed that Diddy would have someone hurt her and rapper Kid Cudi, who she was dating at the time.

Regina said she “was physically sick” and did not understand a lot of it. She claimed the sex tapes threw her, but she understood that Diddy was allegedly going to hurt Cassie.

Regina explained she understood that the “Last Night” singer wanted $20K to recoup the money he spent on Cassie. At the time, Diddy was allegedly angry that Cassie was with another person. It was expected the money would come from Regina and her husband.

Regina claimed they took a home equity loan to pay Diddy. When Regina received wiring instructions, she wired the money from her checking account to the Bad Boy account. About four to five days later, the money allegedly came back. Regina said she did not have any conversations with Diddy about the money and she does not have a copy of the wiring instructions.

“I was scared for my daughter’s safety,” Regina told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

David James left the courthouse after testifying. (Fox News Digital)

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former personal assistant, James, finished testifying in the rapper’s sex-trafficking trial and Cassie Ventura’s mother, Regina Ventura, then took the stand.

Diddy’s ex-assistant began his testimony Monday at the end of the court day.

James testified that he worked for Diddy from 2007 until 2009. While on the stand, James recalled two conversations he had with Diddy’s now ex-girlfriend Cassie. James remembered sitting on the dock of the rapper’s Miami home smoking cigarettes with Cassie and her friend, Kerry Morgan. He recalled Cassie saying, “Man this lifestyle is crazy.”

According to James, he told Cassie to get out. Cassie allegedly said she couldn’t because Diddy controlled so much of her life.

James testified he also overheard a conversation while in the car with Diddy in NYC. A business associate of Combs’ asked about Porter and Cassie. He claimed Diddy replied, “Cassie is good…I’ve got her right where I want her…”

On Tuesday, James testified about an alleged run-in with Diddy’s competitor Suge Knight.

He also told the jury about a time he allegedly walked in on Cassie, Diddy and another man at a hotel. James testified about how he would prep Diddy’s hotel rooms for the rapper’s alleged “freak offs,” although he was not aware of the sexual sessions that were taking place at the time.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Cassie Ventura's parents outside the Manhattan courthouse. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)

Cassie Ventura’s parents showed up to the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial.

Regina Ventura is expected to take the stand today to testify against Diddy.

Cassie spent four days last week testifying about the alleged abuse she endured during her 10-year relationship with Diddy. The singer-songwriter spoke about the “freak offs” she was allegedly forced to participate in by the rapper. Cassie testified that Diddy “would put his hands on [her]” during alleged "freak offs." He would "push me down … kick me … you name it," she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.

The jury had varied reactions while listening to Cassie testify.

As Cassie described a “bad fight” with Diddy, one juror was focused on the disgraced music mogul. A juror shook her head in agreement after Cassie explained in detail how she didn't want to tell her mother about Diddy's alleged abuse.

Another female juror grimaced when the government introduced evidence showing Cassie's bruises while one juror strained his neck to get a better look.

Cassie finished her testimony on May 16. Diddy’s trial is expected to last eight weeks.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-assistant is testifying in his trial. (Jane Rosenberg, Getty Images)

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-assistant testified about picking up prostitutes with Diddy’s security during cross-examination.

Diddy’s defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, asked James about a time he allegedly brought prostitutes back to the rapper’s home with Diddy’s security guard, Bonds. James claimed he did not know they were prostitutes. He explained that he and Bonds were out, picked up two women and brought them back to Combs’ home. Diddy was allegedly not home at the time. James continued, claiming that “security did it all the time.” According to James, he never spoke with Diddy about personal things.

James testified that after having sex, the woman asked for $200. He claimed he was shocked, but that Bonds told him to pay her so there were no problems at the house. James paid her and then she allegedly asked to take a shower.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is on trial. (Getty Images)

Sean “Diddy” Combs kept embarrassing footage of his former personal assistant in case the rapper ever needed it, according to David James’ testimony.

James admitted that there were times he consumed drugs. On one occasion, he was off of work and went to a party for New Year’s Eve. According to James, he took an ecstasy pill from Diddy’s bag. He admitted that he stole it, and felt excited. James recalled dancing, “Diddy bopping,” after taking the pill. The former assistant claimed he was “vibing” and enjoying himself.

James recalled after the party, Diddy was “reviewing footage” because they always had a videographer filming. Combs saw James dancing on video and told him, “I’m going to keep this footage in case I ever need it.” James said the dancing was so out of character for him and he believed the rapper was keeping it to embarrass him.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former personal assistant consulted a lawyer before telling prosecutors about his alleged run-in with Suge Knight.

Diddy’s defense lawyer asked David James about the guns the rapper allegedly had in the car when the assistant, Combs and his security guard drove back to the diner where Suge Knight had been. James testified that he had never seen guns before and was unaware they had guns.

Marc Agnifilo asked what role James had. James claimed, “I was there to drive the car.”

Diddy’s defense lawyer commented that James was in a car with two other men and three guns to confront someone else. He then asked why James went.

James replied, “I don’t think I had an option.”

Agnifilo asked why James didn’t share the second part of the story regarding the alleged run-in with Knight at his first meeting with the prosecution. James claimed he told the government after seeking legal counsel. The former personal assistant confirmed he was given a proffer agreement, which typically allows the individual to share information about a crime in exchange for certain benefits.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, shows up to court. (Getty Images)

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former assistant became defensive during his cross-examination.

After testifying, David James was cross-examined by Diddy’s defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo.

Agnifilo asked if James left Diddy’s security guard D-Roc at the diner during the Suge Knight incident. James responded, saying that was a “crazy question.” According to James, he would not have left D-Roc alone at the diner and is “100 percent sure.”

Agnifilo asked some more questions and James became a little defensive saying the incident was 20 years ago.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant worked for him from 2007 until 2009. (Getty Images)

David James testified that he was forced to take lie detector tests while working for Sean “Diddy” Combs.

According to James, there were instances where items were stolen from the rapper.  James claimed he had to take lie detector tests on two separate occasions. On the first occasion, cash was stolen. James said he didn’t feel like he could refuse to take the test.  James took the test and there were no discrepancies.

On another occasion, a watch was stolen from Combs. James again took a lie detector test. James claimed he was more nervous this time. During the test, he passed the question about the watch, but the administrator of the test noticed James was nervous. James admitted he had taken things from Diddy before, including jeans.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs and Suge Knight were competitors. (Getty Images)

David James, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former personal assistant, testified about a run-in with Suge Knight during his testimony Tuesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik asked James about going to a diner with Diddy’s security guard, D-Roc. According to James, after a late night at the studio, he and D-Roc went to the diner to get food for the staff. James claimed he drove, and when they pulled into the parking lot, D-Roc noticed Suge Knight. The musician is widely known as one of Diddy’s competitors. D-Roc allegedly went up to Suge and described himself as “Biggie’s Boy.”

While waiting for food, they noticed four black SUVs pull into the parking lot. Suge was in the middle of the parking lot with a gun, according to James. D-Roc said they had to go and they allegedly went back to Diddy’s home, where Combs and Cassie were. James testified that it looked like they had been fighting. Cassie looked upset and was crying.

James said he drove D-Roc and Diddy back to the diner. Combs was allegedly in the back seat with three handguns in his lap. However, they did not see Suge at the diner and Combs told James to drive around the block.

The former personal assistant testified that he was “really shook up by it” and it was the first time working for Diddy where he thought his life was in danger. They went back to New York and James gave his six months notice.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

David James arrives at court on May 20. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ personal assistant seemingly once walked into a hotel room during an alleged “freak off.”

David James testified about an incident that occurred in Miami in 2008. According to James, Diddy asked him to bring an iPad to his hotel room. James said he went and got the iPad. When he knocked on the hotel room door, nobody answered. So, James testified that he used his key and let himself in.

He claimed he saw Cassie in the bed. She was allegedly laying on her back with her head to the side. A gentleman, who he did not recognize, was in the room and James said he heard the shower running. According to James, Cassie normally slept on her side. The other person was completely naked, about 5 feet 10, long hair, with a “large endowment,” James testified. The former personal assistant claimed it appeared like the unknown man did not want to be seen. Cassie allegedly did not respond when James entered the room and James never saw Diddy.

James testified he never spoke with Diddy about the incident , because it was not his business. The former personal assistant said he was not hired to ask about personal matters.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' personal assistant David James testifies about setting up hotel rooms. (Jane Rosenberg)

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ personal assistant testified he was responsible for setting up the hotels rooms for the rapper’s alleged “freak offs.”

According to James, he did not book the hotel rooms. The rooms would be booked under the name, “Frank Black.” James’ job would be to advance the hotel room for Diddy, which meant making them more comfortable for the rapper. James explained he would bring a Jordan sweatsuit, underwear, socks, toiletry bag, applesauce, Jell-O, Fiji water, vodka and other food items. In the toiletry bag was a razor, Just for Men, etc. James testified that he’d receive a key from the front desk.

The former personal assistant claimed there was always a medicine bag and other personal items. James would also bring Diddy’s Louis Vuitton bag containing money, around $10K cash, and the rapper’s wallet. He claimed security always carried the personal Louis Vuitton bag.

There were allegedly 25-30 different pill bottles in the medicine bag, some unmarked - Advil, Tylenol, Viagra, something to increase sperm count and ecstasy.

James testified he was responsible for replenishing supplies.

He explained he would go to Duane Read, use his own credit card, and Diddy would allegedly later reimburse him.

James claimed he was reimbursed differently for personal items, which included baby oil, Astroglide, condoms, etc. James would get cash for those items through security because Combs didn’t want to go through the company.

At the time, James was not aware that the alleged "freak offs" were happening.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs and Cassie Ventura broke up in 2018. (Getty Images)

Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly searched through his former personal assistant’s browsing history after a blog post surfaced accusing the rapper of beating Cassie Ventura.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik asked David James about a Jan 2009 blog post incident when he returned to the stand Tuesday morning.

James explained he was off, but was working on a research project about tattoos at Diddy’s Los Angeles home.

The rapper had been at a club, but when he returned home, Diddy came to James, looked over his shoulder and told the assistant that someone was blogging about him. He then checked James' browser history. James testified that Diddy seemed “pretty upset.”

The alleged lie in the blogpost was that the “Last Night” singer hit Cassie at a club.  James claimed it was “jarring” having Diddy look through his browsing history.

James admitted that he looked for the blog post and googled it.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial testimony was delayed Tuesday after a few jurors were late.

Four jurors seemed to be missing when trial was set to resume at 9am ET. They were likely late due to train issues. Judge Arun Subramanian called a recess until they arrive.

Diddy, the defense and the prosecution spent time before the recess discussing several pending issues. Diddy’s defense complained about David James testifying regarding an incident with Suge Knight.

According to the government, the incident goes to count 1 - racketeering.

Judge Subramanian overruled the defense’s objection.

The juror delay only seemed to last roughly 20 minutes.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Cassie Ventura and Diddy dated for 10 years. (Getty Images)

The jury will likely hear from Cassie Ventura’s mom, Regina Ventura, today, May 20. Before the start of the court day, the defense raised an objection to part of Regina’s expected testimony.

When Sean “Diddy” Combs found out Cassie was seeing Kid Cudi in 2011, the prosecution claimed Diddy asked for $20K from Cassie’s mom. According to the government, this goes directly to count 2 as evidence of coercion, trying to keep Cassie and prevent her from leaving.

The defense objected to this testimony and said the money was returned. It was transferred and then transferred back, according to Marc Agnifilo. Diddy’s defense lawyer called it “purely prejudicial” and that it raises more questions than it answers.

Judge Arun Subramanian asked what the prejudice is and Agnifilo said the Ventura family is hardworking, middle class who probably needs $20K and Combs did not.

The judge then asked about the coercion. According to the prosecution, Cassie said Diddy controlled all aspects of her life. Cassie told her mother this and that Diddy was blackmailing her, and the money was transferred the same day. The government said Cassie’s mother received an email about the videos and perceived it as a threat and proceeded accordingly.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' former personal assistant, David James, takes the stand on May 19. (Jane Rosenberg)

Sean "Diddy" Combs' former personal assistant David James took the stand Monday in the rapper's sex-trafficking trial.

 "David James, Combs’ former assistant, took the stand at the end of the day. He said Ventura told him she couldn’t get out. His testimony continues [Tuesday], and I think he knows where the bodies are buried," former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital.

Rahmani also broke down the rest of Monday's testimony from Cassie's former best friend.

“Ventura’s former best friend, Kerry Morgan, testified, and she was one of the best witnesses so far," according to the West Coast Trial Lawyers founder. "She saw Combs punch and drag Ventura across the floor. Once, it was because Ventura was taking too long in the bathroom. And after the infamous hotel attack, Combs came to Ventura’s apartment and banged on the door with a hammer."

 "Morgan begged Ventura to leave Combs, but Ventura was unable to do so. Combs controlled every aspect of her life: her finances, her apartment, her car, and her career. This control explains the psychology of abuse and is strong evidence for the sex trafficking charges.

 "Combs choked Morgan and assaulted her with a coat hanger. Combs paid her $30k to sign an NDA, but that was the end of her friendship with Ventura. Morgan was a great witness because she hasn’t filed a lawsuit against Combs and has no financial bias. And she is no longer friends with either of them, so she is truly independent. The defense’s lead lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, tried to cross examine her, but he didn’t score many points."

Sean “Diddy” Combs was back in court Tuesday for the continued testimony of his former personal assistant.

Diddy sat at the defense table after entering the courtroom, wearing a dark sweater. He flipped through some papers while Judge Arun Subramanian went over some pending issues before testimony restarts.

The jury last heard from David James , who worked as Combs’ personal assistant from 2007 until 2009. He claimed Diddy had multiple girlfriends at the time. When he first started working for the now-disgraced music mogul, James said Kim Porter was Diddy’s main girlfriend and others included Cassie plus women named Tara and Sarah.

James took the stand after Cassie's former friend testified Monday in the sex-trafficking trial. Kerry Morgan claimed Diddy physically assaulted her in 2018, leading to the end of her friendship with the "Me & U" singer.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Dawn Richard testifies in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial. (Jane Rosenberg)

Former member of Sean “Diddy” Comb's girl group Danity Kane, Dawn Richard, wrapped up her testimony in his federal trial for sex crimes on Monday.

Los Angeles litigator John J. Perlstein exclusively told Fox News Digital that Richard's testimony could possibly support the government's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charge.

"Corroborating Cassie Ventura’s testimony, Dawn Richard provided eyewitness accounts of multiple occasions where the defendant struck or attempted to strike Ventura, and also testified to Combs’ controlling behavior in stating that Combs allegedly said that he ‘owned’ Ventura and that her success would be on his terms," Perlstein said.

Richard testified to witnessing Diddy attack Cassie , describing one instance in which the rapper grabbed a skillet of eggs and tried to hit Cassie with it, claiming, "She went into a fetal position ... literally trying to hide her face."

"Richard’s testimony is highly impactful because it corroborates Ventura’s account," former federal prosecutor Neama Ramani told Fox News Digital. "Her witnessing Combs attempt to hit Ventura with a skillet, kick her when she was in the fetal position and drag her by the hair was one of the most graphic of the trial so far. Richard also [allegedly] suffered her own abuse. She [claimed she] was groped and threatened not to speak out."

She claimed Combs told her and Cassie that if she didn’t stay in line there would be consequences.

Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

Sean "Diddy" Combs trial began with opening statements on May 12. (Jane Rosenberg)

The federal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs entered its second week on Monday, with testimony from the disgraced rapper’s former assistant.

David James worked for Diddy from 2007 to 2009 and testified that during that time the rapper had many relationships, with Kim Porter being his main girlfriend in addition to Cassie and two other women.

James testified that he told Cassie to leave the relationship, but that she told him she couldn’t because Diddy controlled too much of her life. He also claimed to have heard Diddy tell a business associate, “Cassie is good…I’ve got her right where I want her…”

In addition, James testified to hearing Cassie and Diddy argue about her professional career, including her aspirations to pursue modeling and acting.

Prior to James taking the stand, the jury heard testimony from Cassie's former friend, Kerry Morgan, who testified Diddy physically assaulted her in 2018. They also heard from former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard, who testified to seeing Diddy assault Cassie and also accused him of ruining her career.

Fox News' Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

Prosecutors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' case entered evidence of Cassie's alleged injuries. (SDNY)

Photo evidence of Cassie Ventura's injuries can "speak volumes" about the alleged abuse she faced at the hands of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The U.S. Attorney's Office included new evidence of injuries Cassie allegedly sustained while she was in a relationship with Diddy. One image submitted by the government showed the singer with a gash across her eyebrow.

"Photographs and videos are powerful pieces of evidence as they are factual and tangible," Los Angeles litigator John J. Perlstein told Fox News Digital. "Jurors may have difficulty believing witnesses or other individuals on the stand because their testimonies can be subjective and contradictory."

"However, photographs are objective and can speak volumes about the abuse that are hard to refute or dismiss," he explained.

Cassie finished testifying last week as "Victim 1" after four days on the stand. She recalled the Intercontinental Hotel incident in March 2016, and alleged Diddy was often abusive.

She defined “physical” punishment as beatings, kicking, etc.

Fox News' Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in September 2024 in New York and was indicted on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He is accused of running a criminal enterprise through his many businesses including Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises and Combs Global, among others.

He used "firearms, threats of violence, coercion, and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" to fulfill his sexual desires, according to the unsealed indictment obtained by Fox News Digital.

During the first week of the trial, the prosecution called the rapper’s ex-girlfriend of over a decade, Cassie Ventura, to the stand. She testified to the alleged abuse she endured over the course of their relationship.

She testified to being forced by the rapper to participate in “freak offs,” which were described in the indictment as "elaborate produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded."

Cassie explained she would often disassociate during the “freak offs” and would take various drugs to get through them. She described the “freak offs” as a job, saying they would last anywhere from 24 to 72 hours, with the longest “freak off” she can remember lasting four days.

Combs and his staff allegedly transported commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally for the "freak offs," which regularly occurred and sometimes lasted multiple days, often including multiple sex workers.

Fox News' Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.