BREAKING: Music Mogul Diddy in Court: Former Assistant and Ex-Girlfriend Share Startling Stories
The high-profile sex trafficking trial began in May and will likely last into July
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Sean "Diddy" Combs.Credit :
Steve Granitz/WireImage
The prosecution in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial will likely rest its case Monday, paving the way for the music mogul's attorneys to present his defense.
Prosecutors called their 34th and final witness on Friday, June 20, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, the lead prosecutor, told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian the government will rest its case Monday.
Earlier Friday, Brendan Paul, a former personal assistant to Combs, testified about the consuming demands of the role. He said he worked for Combs from late 2022 through March of last year, when Combs' homes were raided by federal agents.
Paul was arrested the same day of the raids on drug-related charges that were dropped after he completed a drug diversion program.
Friday marked the end of the trial's sixth week.
Combs' lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said the defense will likely rest its case by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege Combs coerced his former longtime girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, the government's star witness, and another woman who testified under the pseudonym "Jane," to participate in drug-fueled marathon sex sessions that sometimes lasted days with male escorts.
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Jane dated Combs from 2021 until his arrest in September. She said Combs called the encounters "hotel nights," while Ventura testified he referred to them as "freak offs."
Combs' attorneys have vehemently denied the women's claims and said they both willingly participated in the encounters.
Combs is also accused of running a criminal enterprise over two decades with help from his employees at various levels that committed such crimes as arson, bribery and kidnapping.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.