As the federal sex trafficking trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs continues, some celebrities are reportedly growing anxious about being called to testify — and have begun hiring legal representation to prepare or avoid involvement altogether, Fox News reports.
TMZ founder Harvey Levin said this week that he has heard multiple celebrities are concerned they could be subpoenaed in the high-profile case, which centers around allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, and physical abuse.
“I have heard that there are some celebrities worried about being called to testify and have even lawyered up trying to fight that,” Levin said. “I think [rapper Kid] Cudi and Cassie were the star witnesses, but I don’t know who else the prosecution has up their sleeve.”
While Levin did not name specific celebrities who might be next to take the stand, several high-profile witnesses have already testified, including Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, rapper Kid Cudi, and singer Dawn Richard.
Combs was indicted earlier this year on charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force or fraud, and transportation for prostitution. The trial, underway in a Manhattan federal court, is expected to continue for several more weeks before the defense presents its case.
One of the more dramatic moments in court this week came from arson investigator Lance Jimenez, who testified about the 2012 fire that destroyed Kid Cudi’s Porsche. Jimenez believes the fire was intentionally set with a Molotov cocktail — possibly in retaliation for Cudi dating Cassie during a brief breakup with Diddy.
Jimenez told jurors that he unsuccessfully tried to contact Diddy’s assistant at the time and that she admitted to hanging up on him, saying, “I wanted this whole thing to be over.” He also reached out to Cassie, but the case was never prosecuted and remains listed as “inactive.”
Following Jimenez, Diddy’s former stylist Deonte Nash took the stand, delivering graphic testimony about repeated abuse he allegedly witnessed. Nash said he saw Diddy physically assault Cassie multiple times, including an incident where she was left bloodied. He also described Diddy threatening her and once choking him (Nash) over suspicions that he was romantically involved with Cassie.
Legal experts consider Cassie the prosecution’s “star witness.” She testified earlier this month that Diddy showed her a video of a coerced sex act — referred to in court as a “freak off” — filmed on a private jet, and threatened to release it unless she participated in another one. Levin believes if jurors believe her account, it could be pivotal.
“I think they could nail him certainly as it pertains to Cassie because that clearly would show coercion,” Levin said.
He also suggested that Diddy could be in legal jeopardy over the alleged interstate transportation of sex workers, but questioned whether the prosecution had successfully proven racketeering.
“When you look at all the things he did — torching Cudi’s car, stealing a gift intended for Cassie, threatening her mother — this feels like the behavior of a criminally jealous boyfriend,” Levin said. “I don’t think it necessarily proves he’s a racketeer.”
While Diddy has been accused of using employees to procure drugs and assist in abusive conduct, Levin noted that this behavior may not rise to the legal standard of organized criminal activity typically required for a racketeering conviction.
Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
