The sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs continued Monday, June 2, with testimony from a former assistant, identified only as “Mia”.
She told a federal court that she attempted to block out the abuse she allegedly suffered while working for Combs from 2009 to 2017.
Testifying under a pseudonym to protect her identity, Mia described how her relationship with Combs became complicated by emotional manipulation and alleged sexual misconduct, which she said she suppressed in an effort to maintain professional ties with the influential music executive.
During cross-examination, the defense introduced a series of emails and photos to question her credibility. Among them was a photograph of Mia with Combs taken on or around his birthday on November 4, 2023.
In the image, Combs is seen with his hands cupped around his groin in a playful pose. Defense attorneys argued the image and other messages—including emails in which Mia wrote “I love you” and “I’m here for you forever”—were inconsistent with someone experiencing abuse.
Twelve days after the photo was taken, singer Cassie Ventura filed a high-profile civil lawsuit against Combs alleging sexual assault and human trafficking. Mia did not report her own allegations until June 2024, months after speaking to investigators multiple times.
A video shown in court on Monday depicted Mia delivering a cheerful birthday message to Combs, further fueling the defense’s narrative that her claims are inconsistent.
However, Mia testified that the communications and photos represented her attempts to survive within a toxic and coercive environment, describing her actions as those of someone “brainwashed.” She stated that Combs “held all the power,” and that she felt psychologically trapped during her time in his employment.
Observers in the courtroom noted emotional reactions from supporters seated near the witness, particularly during the defense’s pointed questioning of Mia’s continued contact with Combs following the alleged abuse.
The testimony forms part of a growing body of evidence in multiple civil and criminal proceedings surrounding Combs, who has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. He remains under investigation by federal authorities and faces several lawsuits from former employees and associates.
As the trial progresses, legal analysts suggest the outcome may hinge in part on the court’s assessment of witness credibility and the broader pattern of behavior alleged by multiple women.
