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Sean Combs trial updates: 'Jane' testifies on 'hotel nights' with Combs

The hip-hop mogul is charged with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

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Last updated: Friday, June 6, 2025 9:53PM GMT
Sean Combs trial updates: 'Jane' testifies on 'hotel nights' with Combs
Sean Combs trial updates: 'Jane' testifies on 'hotel nights' with CombsDarla Miles has the latest from Lower Manhattan.

NEW YORK -- Prosecutors allege that Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, used his fame and fortune to create a deviant empire of exploitation, coercing women into abusive sex parties while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and beatings.

Combs' lawyers argue that all the sexual acts were consensual, and although he could be violent, he never veered into sex trafficking and racketeering.

This story may contain accounts and descriptions of actual or alleged events that some readers may find disturbing.

"Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy," a new podcast from "20/20" and ABC Audio, traces how the whispers of abuse came to light and led to the downfall of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was once among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip hop. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.

(ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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5:21 PM GMT

Defense concludes dramatic cross-examination of Ventura friend

After the defense accused Bryana Bongolan of lying about Combs allegedly dangling her over a balcony in Los Angeles, contending that Combs wasn't even in California at the time Bongolan said the alleged incident occurred, she testified on re-direct examination that she has "no doubt" it occurred but does not know exactly when.

Bongolan used hand gestures to demonstrate for the jury how she said Sean Combs lifted her onto the railing of the balcony of Cassie Ventura's 17th-floor apartment.

"Where did his hands go?" prosecutor Madison Smyser asked.

"Down this way," Bongolan testified, moving her hands.

"So were they on your breasts?" Smyser asked. Bongolan affirmed in her testimony that they were.

Bongolan also testified on re-direct that she wore the neck brace the jury saw in a photo on more than one occasion.

"Why did your neck hurt?" Smyser asked.

"Because I got slammed into the furniture," Bongolan testified. "By Puff."

Bongolan conceded that she doesn't know exactly when the alleged incident occurred, telling the court "because it was a while ago."

Asked for a second time whether she had any doubt "that Mr. Combs held you up on a 17th-floor balcony," Bongolan testified in answer, "I have no doubt."

On re-cross, defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland said Bongolan's testimony was motivated by money.

"You're suing Mr. Combs because it's your opportunity to become a millionaire," Westmoreland said.

"I can't agree with that," Bongolan testified.

"You're seeking $10 million, isn't that true?" Westmoreland asked.

"I'm seeking whatever the judge finds is correct," Bongolan testified.

"It means a lot to you to become a millionaire?" Westmoreland asked.

"No ma'am," Bongolan told the court.

Bryana Bongolan's testimony has concluded. The court is now in a brief lunch break.

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5:21 PM GMT

Defense presents evidence suggesting Combs was not in California at time of alleged balcony incident

Sean Combs' defense lawyer argued he could not have dangled Bryana Bongolan over a balcony in Los Angeles and inflicted injuries on her leg, neck and back in late September 2016 because he was in New York as part of the Bad Boy reunion tour when the alleged incident occurred.

"And you would agree with me that one person cannot be in California and New York at the same time?" the defense attorney, Nicole Westmoreland asked.

"In theory," Bongolan testified.

The jury saw a bill from the Trump International Hotel and Tower that showed Combs, under the alias Frank Black, checked in on Sept. 24 and checked out Sept. 29. There were multiple charges for breakfast on the Sept. 26 totaling nearly $800.

"You agree that one person can't be in two places at the same time?" Westmoreland asked.

"In theory, yeah," Bongolan testified.

The jury had seen a photo of a large bruise on Bongolan's leg and another photo of her wearing a neck brace with her back covered in bandages.

Metadata on the image showed it was taken September 26.

"Mr. Combs did not cause you the injuries that you showed us that we saw on your phone with the metadata from September 26, did he?" Westmoreland asked.

"I can't agree with you," Bongolan testified.

"You came in here and you lied to the ladies and gentlemen of this jury," Westmoreland insisted, concluding her cross-examination.

"I can't agree with you," Bongolan again testified.

On re-direct examination, prosecutor Madison Smyser asked if she had any doubt Combs held her on a balcony. "I have no doubt," Bongolan told the court. "I will never forget him holding me on that balcony."

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5:21 PM GMT

Defense questions Bongolan about continued relationship with Combs after alleged violent incident

Further questioning the veracity of Bryana Bongolan's account of Sean Combs allegedly holding her over a balcony and causing her injuries by throwing her on to furniture, defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland asked her why she agreed to attend a concert featuring Combs about a week after the alleged incident.

"Weren't too scared to do that?" Westmoreland asked.

"No, I was helping as best as I could," Bongolan testified. "I don't think I was around him most of the time."

The next night, Bongolan testified, she went to a club Combs had rented.

"You're testifying that Mr. Combs caused you significant injuries?" Westmoreland asked.

Yes," Bongolan told the court.

"And about a week or so later, you go to Mr. Combs' private party, true?" Westmoreland asked.

"Yes," Bongolan testified.

"You weren't too fearful enough to not go to Mr. Combs event, were you?" Westmoreland asked.

"I know I always had that feeling inside but yes, I went," Bongolan testified.

"Did you have that neck brace on?" the defense lawyer asked, referring to a photo previously shown to the jury of Bongolan wearing a neck brace and with bandages on her back.

"Probably not," Bongolan testified. "I don't think I'd want to be seen in that."

The jury then saw a text exchange from a few nights after the club event in which Ventura invited Bongolan to her apartment for a sleepover.

"Less than two weeks after you say Mr. Combs caused you significant injuries and terror, you're willing to go back to the exact same apartment and spend the night?" Westmoreland asked, her tone incredulous.

Yes," Bongolan testified in response.

"Isn't that true that you continued to hang out with Mr. Combs and you continued to spend the night in Ms. Ventura's house because Mr. Combs did not cause you those injuries?" Westmoreland asked, emphasizing the last several words.

"Part of that statement is correct and part of that statement I can't agree with," Bongolan testified.

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5:21 PM GMT

Defense continues to question Cassie Ventura friend over alleged groping, balcony-dangling incident

The cross-examination of Bryana Bongolan began with the jury seeing two text messages that she sent to her friend and Sean Combs ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura that included photos of drugs.

Bongolan sent Ventura the photos about two weeks after she said Sean Combs threatened her.

"He came up really close to my face and said something on the lines like 'I'm the devil and I could kill you,'" Bongolan told the jury Wednesday regarding the incident.

"You were just continuing on dealing with Cassie, right?" defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland asked.

"Yes," Bongolan testified in response.

"You weren't too scared to do that?" Westmoreland followed up.

"I guess not," Bongolan testified.

The defense also sought to cast more doubt on Bongolan's claim that Combs held her over a balcony at Ventura's 17th-floor apartment in Los Angeles.

"You testified that Mr. Combs held you over the balcony?" Westmoreland asked.

"Yes, he hung me over the balcony," Bongolan testified.

"You said that Cassie Ventura witnessed this?" Westmoreland asked.

"I said I heard her voice," Bongolan told the court.

"You're not saying that Cassie Ventura saw this?" Westmoreland asked.

"I don't know," Bongolan testified. "I can't speak for her."

Federal prosecutors contend that the alleged incident on the balcony is further evidence of what they say is Combs' coercion of Ventura, because it helped make her aware of what he was capable of.

Westmoreland also questioned Bongolan regarding her claim in her civil lawsuit that Combs allegedly groped her while lifting her over the balcony.

"When you spoke to the government, you told them he grabbed your breast, right?" Westmoreland asked.

"I told them where he placed his hands," Bongolan testified.

"You never told the government, never claimed that Mr. Combs grabbed your breast in any shape, form or fashion, did you?" Westmoreland asked.

"I don't remember," Bongolan told the court in response.

"You kept repeating that lie about grabbing your breast," Westmoreland said. "You continued to accuse Mr. Combs of sexually assaulting you even though you knew that wasn't true."

Bongolan testified, "The way that you're asking the question, I don't agree with all of it."

"Ma'am, did you believe, did you believe, that the only way for you to file a lawsuit was to say that Mr. Combs sexually assaulted you?" Westmoreland asked.

"I don't recall," Bongolan testified.