New testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal trial adds another layer to the case. Eddy Garcia, a former security officer at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, told the court how a 2016 surveillance video of Diddy attacking singer Cassie Ventura was sold and hidden.
Garcia said his supervisor first showed him the footage, then claimed Diddy wanted to buy it before it leaked to the public. According to Garcia, the boss set the asking price at $50,000. Garcia delivered the video himself. When he arrived, Diddy confirmed it was the only copy. Garcia said Diddy then handed him a paper bag packed with one hundred thousand dollars, double the agreed amount, and asked him to sign a nondisclosure agreement with a one-million-dollar penalty for talking.
Garcia admitted he was worried Cassie might file a police report. During that discussion, Garcia said Diddy used FaceTime to call Cassie, who told Garcia she did not want the video released because she had a movie premiere soon.
Garcia kept $30,000 for himself and bought a used car. He gave twenty thousand to a coworker and returned the rest to his supervisor. He has signed an immunity deal that protects him from charges as long as his testimony is truthful.
Diddy has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and related charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.