A security guard testified Tuesday in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial that the music mogul paid $100,000 to keep a 2016 video of him assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura from becoming public.
Eddy Garcia, the InterContinental hotel security supervisor at the time, said he initially did not recognize the individuals in the video showing the March 2016 incident. He was later informed of their identities and stated that no police were contacted, nor did Cassie request medical help.
According to Garcia’s testimony, Diddy’s former chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, requested the footage, but Garcia said he lacked the authority to release it without a subpoena. Diddy personally called Garcia, expressing concern that the video would damage his career and offering financial incentives for the footage.
Garcia discussed the matter with his supervisor, who was willing to hand over the footage for $50,000. After negotiations, Garcia said he and two other security guards received a total of $100,000 in cash from Diddy to suppress the video. Garcia, earning $10.50 an hour, signed a nondisclosure agreement that included a $1 million penalty if breached.
He said Diddy warned him not to make large purchases to avoid drawing attention. Garcia used the money to buy a used car and did not deposit any cash in the bank.
Garcia admitted to initially withholding information from police when questioned but later cooperated after obtaining legal counsel.
The testimony sheds light on efforts to control damaging footage ahead of ongoing legal proceedings involving Diddy.
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