Lawyer for Sean Combs aims to discredit former assistant during New York City sex trafficking trial.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team on Friday attempted to challenge allegations made by Mia, a former assistant, who has accused the music mogul of rape, sexual assault, and various forms of abuse throughout her tenure of employment. Mia, the second of three alleged victims slated to testify in Combs’ federal trial in Manhattan, shared her experiences during questioning by prosecutors, detailing a pattern of traumatic incidents that began shortly after her hiring in 2009. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, she is testifying under a pseudonym, and the judge has prohibited any visual representations of her likeness in order to protect her identity.

Mia testified that she was sexually assaulted by Combs during his 40th birthday celebration at The Plaza hotel in New York and subsequently raped at his residence in Los Angeles. She also described instances of being coerced into performing oral sex at other locations owned by Combs in California, asserting that numerous memories of other incidents remain unclear to her due to the emotional trauma inflicted upon her.

In an effort to discredit Mia’s claims during cross-examination, Combs’ attorney, Brian Steel, presented various enthusiastic social media posts authored by her. These posts indicated her admiration for Combs, including expressions of friendship and affection. Mia asserted that her online presence was a façade designed to portray an idealized version of her life, concealing the reality of her experiences.

Steel further probed Mia using images from social events where she was seen alongside Combs, questioning her proximity to someone she claims to have feared. Mia confirmed her presence in these photographs but emphasized the complex nature of her relationship with Combs, stating she often felt responsible for supporting him during vulnerable times.

During her testimony, Mia described her experiences under Combs’ control as deeply traumatizing, citing symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of regular physical and emotional abuse. While detailing the environment in which she worked, she noted incidents of Combs throwing objects like a computer and his phone during outbursts of anger.

Combs, aged 55, faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and related offenses, which could result in a life sentence if he is convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges while acknowledging instances of domestic violence. His attorneys maintain that he is innocent of the specific crimes under indictment.

Once considered a titan in the hip-hop industry, Combs is known for launching the careers of prominent artists, such as Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige. As the founder of Bad Boy Records, he amassed considerable wealth and influence, with Forbes estimating he was on the verge of billionaire status as of 2017. Despite his successes, the current allegations paint a stark contrast to his public persona.

The prosecution contends that between 2004 and 2024, Combs engaged in a lifestyle characterized by the coercion of vulnerable women into degrading sexual acts, often recorded for blackmail purposes. They allege that a network of associates facilitated this behavior through means of intimidation and control.

In addition to Mia and Ventura, prosecutors plan to call a third witness—a single mother who claims she was coerced into sexual acts by Combs and will also testify under a pseudonym. The unfolding trial is garnering significant public attention, with implications that extend beyond the realities of the allegations to the power dynamics within the entertainment industry.

This ongoing legal battle is set to reveal further details, and updates will continue to unfold as the trial progresses.