Sean Combs Had “Devilish” Look After Hotel Assault, Witness Tells Court

12 May 2025, 23:30 by Solcyré Burga, Chantelle Lee · TIME

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs had “a devilish" look and tried to offer money when a hotel security guard encountered him the day he allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend in 2016, the guard testified Monday in the musician’s ongoing sex trafficking trial.

The federal investigation into Combs was spurred in part by a 2023 civil lawsuit filed by Combs’ ex-partner Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, in which she alleged he had engaged in physical abuse and rape. While the case was settled shortly thereafter, numerous victims also filed lawsuits against the 55-year-old for similar sexual assault allegations in the following months.

Combs had initially denied Ventura’s allegations. Then in May 2024, CNN released CCTV footage from a Los Angeles hotel hallway where Combs was seen punching and kicking Ventura in 2016. Combs then released a video statement on Instagram saying his behavior was “inexcusable”.

The trial began last week with the first phase of jury selection. On Monday, the jury was officially seated, and following opening statements from both sides, the first witness, Israel Florez, took the stand.

Florez, a former a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel – where the 2016 incident took place – testified that he responded to a call about “a woman in distress” on the sixth floor. When he arrived, he saw Combs, wearing only a towel, with what Florez described as “a devilish" stare on his face.

Janice Combs, mother of Sean Combs arrives at the Southern District Manhattan Federal court Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images

Ventura was in the corner, he said, and a broken vase was on the ground. Florez said Combs offered him money, which he interpreted as a possible bribe.

“He was telling me, ‘Don’t tell nobody,’” said Florez, who now works as a LA police officer.

Florez said that he noticed Ventura had a “purple eye.” He saw her leave the hotel, and then he and the hotel’s front desk manager went to speak with Combs in his hotel room to “remind him of the hotel rules.” According to Florez, Combs became angry and grabbed the desk manager’s phone, at which point Florez pinned Combs to a wall.

A clip of the CCTV footage was played in court, showing Combs assaulting Ventura in the hotel hallway.

Combs was arrested last September over accusations of racketeering, and drugging and coercing women into sexual relations with him and others. If convicted, the music mogul could face life in prison. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Tens of people have accused Combs of sexually abusing them. Some of the victims who have filed civil lawsuits against the rapper say they were as young as 10 when the alleged assault happened. Here’s what to know.

What has happened so far?

On September 16, Combs was arrested under allegations that he “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” according to the indictment.

Prosecutors say that Combs engaged in kidnapping and sex trafficking—using his status as a celebrity to lure women to his side before forcing them to engage in nonconsensual activities. Some of the victims were allegedly drugged with ketamine, ecstasy, or other drugs in order to engage in such activities with Combs.

Federal agents seized illegal drugs and firearms when they raided his Beverly Hills mansion in March 2024. They also found more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, along with other materials allegedly used for the “freak offs.”

While many of those accusing Combs of such crimes have remained anonymous, others have publicly come forward with their stories. The victims include: former adult film star Adria English, model and actress Crystal McKinney, and music producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones Jr.

Jones accused Combs of attempting to “groom” him into having sex with another man, and forcing him to hire sex workers and engage in sexual activities with them.

Combs has been at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest on Sept. 16.

This March, a charge of forced labor was added to the case against Combs. A month later, prosecutors also added two new sex trafficking charges, as well as an additional charge for transportation to engage in prostitution.

Can you watch the trial?

No. Because Combs faces federal criminal charges, the use of electronic media is prohibited.

The statute, dating back to 1946, bans both photography and broadcasting in federal criminal courtrooms to protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial. R. Kelly’s federal trial on similar charges was also not televised.