Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs paid $100,000 to bury Cassie assault video, security guard claims
Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs has been accused of paying $100,000 to a security guard to keep footage of the viral Cassie assault secret. The 2016 video, involving Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend in the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, was shown to jurors as part of his sex trafficking trial.
Security guard Eddy Garcia took the stand on June 3rd, claiming Combs offered cash in a brown paper bag to stop the video from seeing the light of day. Garcia started his shift some hours after a “domestic dispute” between Combs and Cassie. Later in his shift, he said he received a call from Combs’ assistant, Kristina Khorram.
Khorram allegedly asked Garcia if she could have a copy of the footage or see the video, claiming Combs was intoxicated when the incident took place. Garcia said she showed up in the hotel reception later that day, where he told her, “Off the record, it’s bad.”
Garcia claimed Khorram called him again that day and passed the phone to Combs. He said Combs sounded “very nervous” and was talking “very fast,” while telling him that “if this got out, it would ruin him.”
Khorram allegedly called him again on his personal number. He claimed Combs was on the other end, telling him he was a “good guy” and that the video could “ruin his career.” Despite telling him he didn’t have the footage, Garcia said Combs told him that “he could take care of me.”
Garcia informed his supervisor, Bill Medrano, who allegedly said he would accept $50,000. When he told Khorram and Combs, he said Combs sounded “excited” and called him “Eddy, my angel.” Garcia said Medrano gave him a USB drive and said, “Done.”
A couple of days later, Garcia allegedly met Combs at an address in Los Angeles, where his bodyguard greeted him, saying, “He’s a good guy. You’re doing a good thing.” Garcia claimed he headed to a room where Combs and Khorram were waiting and handed over the USB. Combs allegedly asked him if it was the only copy, so he called Medrano, who said it was.
Garcia was concerned that Cassie would file a police report, so Combs allegedly called the singer to give him peace of mind. After Combs told her, “Let him know you want this video gone too,” Garcia recalled Cassie saying she was releasing a movie soon and wanted the video to disappear.
Combs allegedly requested ID cards for Garcia, Medrano and the responding officer. Israel Florez was the man who responded to the incident, but Medrano provided another officer’s ID due to Florez being a “by-the-book guy.”
A “nervous” Garcia then signed a non-disclosure agreement, which involved Garcia paying $1 million in “liquidated damages” if the contract was breached. Combs allegedly put $10,000 stacks of cash through a machine before handing over $100,000 in a bag, double the agreed amount. Garcia said he kept $30,000 and gave $50,000 to Medrano and $20,000 to the other officer.
Combs is facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution, which he denies. If found guilty, he faces up to life in prison.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.