Diddy On Trial: Episode Summary
"Security officer: Diddy ‘gave me $100,000’ after handing over Cassie video"
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host: Anoushka Matanda Doughty
Reporter: Cheyenne Roundtree, Senior Investigative Reporter, Rolling Stone Magazine

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Diddy On Trial, hosted by Anoushka Matanda Doughty from BBC Sounds, listeners are taken deep into the heart of the Southern District of New York Court in Lower Manhattan. The episode explores the controversial allegations surrounding hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, focusing particularly on a new revelation involving a substantial monetary transaction linked to the suppression of a damaging video featuring his ex-partner, Cassie Ventura.

Courtroom Drama Unfolds

The episode opens with a dramatic incident in the courtroom where a Diddy supporter was escorted out due to their outburst. This individual voiced strong emotions about the ongoing trial, expressing frustration over how the case was being perceived and discussed publicly.

Courtroom Witness (02:15):
"I told Diddy, Diddy, everyone thinks this is a joke. And I don't think it's funny for people to laugh at a black man going through what he's going through right now."

The witness further emphasized the gravity of the situation:

Courtroom Witness (02:31):
"Laughing at black man. Legacy being destroyed. Black American man. To be quite honest, the press, the grassroots people, everyone has been laughing. I don't care if it sounded funny. It's not funny."

After the disruption, Anoushka Matanda Doughty steps into the courtroom to report on the day's proceedings alongside Cheyenne Roundtree.

Eddie Garcia's Testimony: The $100,000 Bribe

A significant portion of the episode delves into the testimony of Eddie Garcia, a security officer at the Intercontinental Hotel. Garcia provides a detailed account of alleged attempts to suppress unfavorable video footage involving Diddy and Cassie Ventura.

Cheyenne Roundtree (04:12):
"Eddie Garcia... testified, and there's been a lot of talk about this $100,000 alleged bribe that made that video go away, but then it didn't go away because we've all seen that video by now."

Garcia recounts receiving persistent phone calls from Christina Karam (KK), who was seeking access to the video. Initially skeptical, Garcia was approached directly by Diddy Combs, who pressured him to comply.

Cheyenne Roundtree (05:00):
"Eddie says that after he left work for the day, he got a call from a New York area code on his personal cell phone and he picked up. It was KK... and then KK passed the phone to Combs, he said. And Combs began playing on his sympathies about I need your help. I think you can help me. And wanted to see that video."

Despite Garcia's initial reluctance and recommendations to follow official channels, an arrangement was reportedly made. He handed over the video after a FaceTime call with Cassie Ventura, who expressed her desire to remove the footage due to an upcoming movie premiere.

Cheyenne Roundtree (06:05):
"Eddie says he was given an address after he got the videotape. He met up with Diddy, KK and a member of Combs Security's team... Eddie says that Diddy asked him a couple times, is this the only copy?... And he signed some paperwork that had Combs Enterprises on the top of it and did."

Garcia describes receiving $100,000 in cash, which he details how it was distributed:

Cheyenne Roundtree (06:54):
"Eddie said that 50k went to his supervisor who actually downloaded the tape and then he kept 30 for himself. And then someone else there that gave over his ID for Combs to collect was given the other 20k."

Prosecution's Narrative: Unveiling a Criminal Enterprise

The prosecution utilizes Garcia's testimony to paint a broader picture of a potentially criminal operation orchestrated by Diddy Combs. By highlighting the collaboration between Garcia, KK, and Combs, they suggest a systematic effort to suppress damaging evidence.

Cheyenne Roundtree (08:01):
"So the reason why this is important is because you have KK, you have a security member all working together to try to obtain this tape and then paying for the security members to make it go away. And the prosecution's building a full picture of how this alleged criminal enterprise operated in real time all around this one specific event."

The involvement of Combs Enterprises in these transactions adds weight to the prosecution's claims of an organized effort to manipulate the situation.

Derek Ferguson's Testimony: Financial Insights

Another pivotal moment in the trial comes from Derek Ferguson, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Diddy's companies. Ferguson provides an in-depth look into the financial operations, outlining the separation between personal and business accounts and detailing the organizational structures within Combs' enterprises.

Cheyenne Roundtree (09:16):
"Derek broke down a lot of the ideas and themes around running a company and business disclosures and bank records... He worked for Diddy from 1998 up until 2017, so a good chunk of time. And he said, yes, these are the bank accounts associated with Diddy, these are personal accounts, these are business accounts."

During cross-examination, prosecutor Mark Agnifolo challenges Ferguson on the lack of direct evidence linking Diddy to violent activities, central to the racketeering (RICO) charges.

Cheyenne Roundtree (10:27):
"The most powerful moment of the cross examination is when Mark went through basically the indictment and the accounts where it was alleging racketeering... Each answer Derek said, no. However, at the end, Mark did ask Derek, is there anything about Sean Combs personally that makes you not like him or makes you have a negative opinion of him? And Derek paused and he said, I don't know how to answer that."

The December 2011 File: Money Trails and Threats

Ferguson's testimony also touches upon financial transactions from December 2011, shedding light on an incident where Cassie Ventura's mother sent Diddy $20,000 under duress.

Cheyenne Roundtree (11:22):
"Prosecutors showed bank statements from one of Combs' bank accounts... around December 13th, 14th, there was a payment from Combs account to Cassie Ventura, and it was for $20,000... Cassie's mom testified that Combs said that this was for business expenses, that he needed it right away... she took out equity on her house to pay that $20,000."

This transaction, juxtaposed with millions flowing through the account, suggests manipulation and coercion, reinforcing the prosecution's case against Diddy's alleged involvement in illicit activities.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Testimonies

As the trial progresses, listeners are given a preview of the next day's proceedings. Frank Piazze, an FBI video specialist, is set to explain the intricacies of the CCTV footage from the Intercontinental Hotel, providing technical insights into how the video was compiled from multiple camera angles.

Additionally, Brianna Buncolen, who filed a $10 million civil lawsuit against Diddy for allegedly threatening her over a balcony, is expected to testify. Her testimony is anticipated to further support the racketeering charges by illustrating a pattern of threatening behavior.

Cheyenne Roundtree (13:16):
"Vaughn is expected to testify tomorrow. And she alleged that, in a fit of rage, Combs dangled her over Cassie's 17th floor balcony... So again, is speaking to that racketeering charge."

Conclusion

This episode of Diddy On Trial meticulously dissects the layers of the case against Sean "Diddy" Combs, presenting compelling testimonies that suggest a coordinated effort to suppress damaging evidence through financial inducements and intimidation. Through detailed reporting and incisive analysis, Anoushka Matanda Doughty and Cheyenne Roundtree provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding the trial, setting the stage for the unfolding drama in the courtroom.

Note: For those interested in further details about the case and previous testimonies, revisiting earlier episodes of Diddy On Trial is recommended to gain a complete perspective on the ongoing legal battle.