Prosecutors say Combs was charged with racketeering because for two decades he used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as “freak-offs” with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed.
His lawyers acknowledged the Bad Boy Records founder, once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales such as the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, was at times violent in his domestic relationships, but said the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual.
Earlier on Tuesday, the jury asked to review portions of the testimony of singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who testified that Combs forced her to take part in “freak-offs” throughout their decade-long relationship. The 12-member jury asked to review Ventura’s testimony regarding a 2016 incident at an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles, when a surveillance camera captured footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hallway. Jurors saw the security camera footage several times during the trial. Prosecutors say at the time of the incident, Ventura was attempting to leave a “freak-off”.
Prosecutors say that conduct amounted to sex trafficking because Combs used force and threats to cut off financial support or release sex tapes of Ventura to coerce her to take part in the performances and because the escorts were paid.
Combs’ defence pointed to tender and sexually explicit text messages Ventura sent Combs throughout their relationship to bolster their argument that she took part in the “freak-offs” because she loved Combs and wanted to make him happy. They say the violent 2016 altercation stemmed from a dispute about Combs’ relationship with another woman.
Prosecutors charged Combs with racketeering conspiracy because they say his employees facilitated his abuse by setting up hotel rooms for “freak-offs” and procuring illegal drugs for the sex parties.
The defence argued that Combs kept his personal and professional lives separate and the drugs were for his personal use.
Reuters