The federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is scheduled to begin Monday, May 12, and the first week of courtroom proceedings is expected to be intense.
Among the high-profile witnesses slated to take the stand is Cassie Ventura, the R&B singer and former girlfriend of Combs, whose 2016 assault at the hands of the rapper was captured on a now widely circulated surveillance video.
Combs faces serious federal charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and witness intimidation—allegations that stem from a broader investigation into alleged abuse within the entertainment industry.
According to courtroom insiders, the first week of testimony is expected to include:
- An FBI analyst who will break down the 2016 hotel hallway footage showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura at a Los Angeles property.
- A male escort, whose testimony may connect to the trafficking-related elements of the case.
- Most notably, Cassie Ventura, who is referred to in court filings as “alleged victim number one,” is expected to take the stand and testify about her years-long relationship with Combs and alleged abuse she endured.
While no cameras are allowed inside the courtroom, legal observers and reporters will provide regular updates from inside the proceedings, which are expected to draw national attention due to the scope of the charges and Combs’ cultural status as a hip-hop icon and entertainment mogul.
Combs has denied all allegations, and his legal team has argued that the charges are politically and personally motivated. However, the leaked surveillance footage and mounting witness list have only intensified scrutiny.
This is just the beginning of what could be a lengthy and high-stakes trial, with federal prosecutors prepared to call additional witnesses and present evidence that spans over a decade of Combs’ professional and personal life.
Stay with American Law Reporter for continued coverage as opening arguments and early witness testimony unfold.
