Sean Combs Allegedly Paid for Hotel Surveillance Footage
Sean “Diddy” Combs is reported to have paid $100,000 to a former hotel guard in March 2016 to secure surveillance footage of an incident involving violence against his then-girlfriend.
During a recent court hearing, former security guard Eddie Garcia recounted his experience with Combs, who allegedly pressured him for the video on the same day of the incident.
Initially, Garcia considered invoking his Fifth Amendment rights but opted to testify after receiving immunity. He explained how Kristina Khorram, a former Chief of Staff at Combs, contacted him to inquire about the footage.
According to Garcia, Combs later reached out to him, expressing concern that the video’s release could potentially damage his career. He reportedly hinted at compensating Garcia for helping him obtain the tape.
After some back-and-forth, Garcia told Combs he didn’t have access to the server room but eventually negotiated with a supervising officer to retrieve the footage for $50,000.
During the trial, it was noted that witnesses feared Ventura might sell the only copy of the video if she decided to go to the police. Nonetheless, Garcia said he had a video call with both Combs and Ventura, where Combs insisted that Ventura should clarify to Garcia that he wanted the video to be erased.
Garcia testified that during a meeting in Los Angeles, Combs told him, “Eddie, my angel, I knew you could help.” In that meeting, Garcia exchanged a USB drive containing the video for $100,000 cash packaged in a brown bag.
Following the incident, Garcia shared some of the money with the supervisor and another guard, keeping $30,000 for himself. He also signed a non-disclosure agreement, which stipulated a $1 million penalty for any breach of the contract.
Eventually, police initiated an investigation against the InterContinental hotel regarding the footage. Garcia admitted that he wasn’t completely truthful at first but later sought legal advice and spoke with authorities.
Currently, Combs is facing five criminal charges, including sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit assault.
