In a high-profile federal sex trafficking trial, Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing serious allegations surrounding an incident involving R&B singer Cassie Ventura. Testimony from former Los Angeles hotel guard Eddy Garcia revealed that Combs attempted to suppress evidence of the incident, specifically a security video that shows him kicking and dragging Ventura in 2016. Garcia stated that Combs told him it would ruin his career if the footage were ever made public.
Garcia, 33, recounted that Combs made these comments repeatedly in March 2016, shortly after the attack, as he sought to buy what he believed was the only copy of the video. Prosecutors are using this footage from the Intercontinental Hotel as a significant piece of evidence in their case against Combs, arguing that it corroborates allegations from multiple women, including Ventura, who claim to have been subjected to sexual and physical abuse by Combs over the years. The prosecution contends that Combs's efforts to conceal the incident align with claims that he has used his wealth and influence to manipulate situations to his advantage.
Combs, now 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering following his arrest in September 2023 at a hotel in New York. He has been held in jail without bail since that time. After the incident, Garcia indicated that he had several conversations with Combs's chief-of-staff, Kristina Khorram, and during one of those calls, Combs expressed concern about the potential fallout of the incident being revealed. Garcia described Combs as being "very nervous," stuttering and speaking quickly during their interactions. The hip-hop mogul reportedly stated that one thing could lead to another with women, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.
In a push to acquire the video footage, Combs allegedly promised Garcia financial compensation, suggesting that he would "take care of" him. Eventually, Garcia managed to arrange a sale of the video to Combs for $50,000, a deal that excited the music producer. Within two days of the assault on Ventura, Garcia delivered the footage to Combs, receiving $100,000 in cash for his efforts. Garcia noted that the cash was counted through a money counter and handed over in a brown paper bag.
Garcia signed a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement, which stated that he would owe Combs $1 million if he breached the terms of the contract. At the time, he was earning merely $10.50 an hour working as hotel security. Although nervously acknowledging the need to get out of the situation as quickly as possible, Garcia signed the documents without fully reading them. Afterward, Combs advised him not to make any significant purchases, which Garcia interpreted as a warning against drawing attention to himself.
Ultimately, Garcia distributed part of the payment he received, giving $50,000 to his boss, who had previously discussed selling the video, and $20,000 to another security officer, keeping $30,000 for himself. He avoided creating a paper trail by using cash and refrained from depositing it into his bank account. A few weeks later, Combs reached out to Garcia, inquiring if anyone had asked about the video; Garcia assured him they had not. Combs greeted him warmly, expressing gratitude and suggesting that God had put Garcia in his path for a reason.
Despite earlier talks of potential future employment, Combs failed to respond to Garcia's subsequent inquiries. Complicating matters, last year, CNN aired footage of the security video, revealing details of the incident that Combs sought to hide. Further testimony from another hotel guard confirmed that he had recorded the footage on his phone with plans to show it to his wife, indicating that the attempts to contain the video's reach may have been in vain.
