In the latest development from Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial, a former hotel security guard testified that the music mogul paid $100,000 to obtain and suppress surveillance footage of a violent assault on singer Cassie Ventura in 2016.
Eddy Garcia, who was working security at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles at the time of the incident, took the witness stand and alleged that Combs was adamant about retrieving and erasing all copies of the video. “He said it had to be the only copy and that he didn’t want it getting out—and asked if I was sure nothing was on the cloud,” Garcia told the court.
According to Garcia, Combs handed over a sealed envelope containing $100,000 in cash as payment for the footage. The money was allegedly divided between three individuals: Garcia’s supervisor Bill Madrano received $50,000, while Garcia and another guard split the remaining amount. In exchange, Garcia claimed he provided Diddy with the video file on a USB drive.
As part of the exchange, Garcia also said he was coerced into signing a strict non-disclosure agreement that carried a $1 million penalty for any breach of confidentiality.
In a further twist, Garcia testified that he later spoke to Cassie via FaceTime, during which she expressed her desire for the footage to be destroyed, suggesting the singer was also concerned about its release.
This testimony adds to a growing body of disturbing allegations surrounding Combs’ long-term relationship with Cassie. The trial has already brought to light multiple claims of abuse, coercion, and manipulation spanning the course of their decade-long relationship.
Combs has denied all criminal allegations and continues to face scrutiny as federal investigators and legal teams build their cases.