Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial took a bizarre twist on Monday when Daniel Phillip, a 41-year-old, former male escort, provided graphic testimony regarding his escapades with Combs, and singer, Cassie (Cassandra Ventura). Phillip gave testimony regarding being paid anywhere from $700 to $6,000 to have sex with Cassie while Combs watched and occasionally took part. His testimony included a string of alleged drug use, physical abuse, and manipulative behavior by Combs during encounters ranging from 2012 to 2014.
Phillip said he met Cassie at the Gramercy Park Hotel and thought he was booked for bachelorette party entertainment. Instead, he was greeted by Cassie, who started the encounter with money, while Combs was in the room, looking on. This started a pattern of similar meetings in various Manhattan hotels and private homes, which could last hours and feature exacting orders from Combs.
Details read like: (Combs) videotaped us, they gave one another drugs, like MDMA to Phillip, they (“They” meaning Combs) gave them both drugs, etc and everyone was making suggestions about things they could do to keep “memory” of their time together, dump Philip’s body, or hide his body in trash. 
Combs also made photographs of Defendant (Philip)’s driver’s license “for insurance”. During these encounters, Phillip testified, he would frequently be given instructions on how and where to have sex. Additionally, he said he saw the physical abuse heaped on Cassie by Combs get worse and described disturbing cases in which Combs has thrown things, pulled her hair, and was verbally and physically abusive. Phillip said that on some occasions these violent events would also carry over into resumed sexual intercourse.
It also detailed Combs’ “games” and how he controlled all parties. Phillip said he became scared for his life after seeing violence and being threatened, but continued to meet up with Cassie to make sure “was doing okay”. But this oppressive culture of fear and shame eventually rendered him unable to have sex for which he alleges Combs offered him Cialis for.
Prosecutors also introduced testimony from a security guard who said she saw an attack take place on Cassie at the Intercontinental Hotel, aided by surveillance video that was shown to the jury. Federal prosecutors are tapping into these accounts to paint Combs as a man of influence who abused that power to influence, control and harm. Combs’ lawyer has dismissed the claims, insisting that all acts were consensual and all dealings consigned to proper contracts.
