It's all about the testimony, baby.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is preparing to take a gamble and take the stand in his own defense in his federal sex trafficking trial, his lawyers claim in a revealing new documentary.
The 54-year-old hip-hop mogul is looking forward to addressing the jury, his lawyer, Mark Anifilo, said. Said in the preview TMZ Studios' show “Diddy's Fall: The Accusation”
“Nothing is going to keep him from the stand. He's very eager to tell his story,” Anifilo said.
Combs' decision to testify is a risky move because it means he will be cross-examined by prosecutors on a range of issues, including video footage of him hitting his ex-girlfriend, Cathy, and allegations about raucous “freak off” parties.
The Bad Boy Records founder's life has been under scrutiny since his arrest on Sept. 16 on charges of organized criminal conspiracy, sex trafficking by coercion, fraud or extortion and transportation for prostitution.
The 14-page indictment alleges that for decades, Combs “abuses, threatens and coerces women and others to gratify his own sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.”
The rapper was also accused of “creating a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.”
When federal agents searched Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles earlier this year, they found 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant used during “freak-off” sex acts, according to the indictment.
According to court documents, Combs' staff, including security guards and domestic workers, allegedly helped arrange sessions in which the victims were forced to engage in sex acts while Combs masturbated and recorded it.
Mr. Agnifilo defended his client's questionable bias against the Washington Post.
“I don't think it was 1,000. I think it was a lot more. There's a Costco down the street. You know, Americans buy in bulk,” he said.
“And these are consensual adult activities. We cannot become so celibate in this country that we think sex is a bad thing, because if we did, no one would have sex.”
Combs was sued in November 2023 by his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, for alleged domestic violence and sexual abuse.
The suit was settled out of court after just one day, but the allegations sparked a wave of lawsuits from more than a half-dozen alleged victims.
Combs has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, even though video footage resurfaced in May showing him assaulting Ms. Cathy in a hotel hallway.
The rapper apologized for his actions in a video statement, saying he was at “rock bottom” at the time the footage was filmed.
He claimed he had gone to therapy to resolve his issues and said he was “disgusted” by his behaviour.
Following his arrest last week, Combs was being held without bail and placed on suicide watch.
He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where notorious FTX crypto scammer Sam Bankman Freed is also being held.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the issues discussed in this article, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
