Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former personal chef, Jourdan Atkinson, has come forward publicly expressing fear for her safety following a split verdict in Combs’ high-profile federal sex crimes trial.
Although the Manhattan jury acquitted Combs of the most serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, he was convicted of lesser charges related to the transportation of individuals to engage in prostitution.
Atkinson, who was both a witness and alleged victim of physical abuse during her employment with Combs, posted a series of videos and a letter to Instagram following the verdict. In her letter, addressed to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, she voiced deep concern over the outcome and the possibility of retaliation by the music mogul.
“This past year and a half has been traumatizing. This verdict is devastating,” Atkinson wrote. “I’d like to express how terrifying this whole ordeal has been for me personally.”
She also published a 2024 subpoena from the Southern District of New York, showing she had been compelled to testify before a grand jury. In the same videos, Atkinson alleged that Combs physically assaulted her and that she witnessed abuse against Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend and key government witness. Prosecutors had alleged Ventura was one of several women trafficked by Combs as part of a larger criminal enterprise.
During a bail hearing on July 2, Atkinson was one of several government witnesses who submitted letters urging the judge to deny Combs’ release while he awaits sentencing.
Judge Subramanian sided with prosecutors, stating that federal law required Combs to remain in custody and citing the music producer’s history of domestic violence as an additional factor in the ruling.
Combs had pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied the allegations against him throughout the case. The partial acquittal, however, has sparked backlash from accusers like Atkinson, who now fear possible retaliation for cooperating with authorities.
The Department of Justice has not commented on whether additional witness protections are being considered in light of Atkinson’s public statements.
