The Trial of Sean Combs

Summary

Summary of "The Trial of Sean Combs" — Up First from NPR

Introduction In the May 11, 2025 episode of NPR's Sunday Story, host Aisha Rascoe delves into the unprecedented legal challenges facing Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, or simply Diddy. Once celebrated as a mogul in the music and fashion industries, Combs now finds himself at the center of serious criminal allegations, marking a dramatic rise and fall in his illustrious career.

Background: Sean Combs’ Rise to Fame Sean Combs began his journey in the music industry as an intern at Uptown Records in the 1990s. His talent and ambition quickly propelled him to become the talent director under founder Andre Harrell. Despite being fired in 1993, Combs didn't deter; he launched Bad Boy Records, fostering the careers of iconic artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher. Beyond music, Combs expanded his empire into fashion, launching successful lines and establishing lucrative partnerships with brands like Ciroc Vodka and DeLeón Tequila. His ventures into reality TV with shows like Making the Band and the creation of Revolt Media solidified his status as a cultural powerhouse. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR's music reporter, highlights, “He was like untouchable” (17:27).

The Fall: Criminal Charges and Allegations Twelve months after receiving significant accolades, including a Global Icon award at the VMAs and a gold key to New York City from Mayor Eric Adams, Sean Combs' fortunes took a dramatic turn. On September 2024, Combs was arrested and indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting individuals to engage in prostitution. These charges allege that Combs leveraged his influence across various industries to orchestrate a criminal organization facilitating and concealing sex crimes spanning over a decade.

Details of the Charges The prosecution accuses Combs of using promises of romantic relationships and career advancements to coerce women into commercial sex acts. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento explains, “The government is accusing Combs of using his power and influence to run a criminal organization” (04:04). The term "freak offs" refers to elaborate sex performances that allegedly involved transporting sex workers across state lines, often under the influence of controlled substances to ensure compliance. These events, described as “physically taxing” and requiring IV fluids for recovery, were part of the broader trafficking and racketeering conspiracy (10:50).

Key Developments Leading to the Trial The catalyst for Combs' legal troubles was a civil lawsuit filed by his ex-partner, singer Cassie Ventura, in November 2023. Ventura accused Combs of rape, trafficking, and physical assault, alleging that he exerted complete control over her personal and professional life, including forcing her to use illicit substances and participate in sexual acts with others while being filmed. Following the lawsuit, additional civil actions emerged from other individuals, further painting a picture of a pervasive pattern of abuse and exploitation.

In March 2024, the Department of Homeland Security executed raids on two of Combs' properties, seizing weapons, electronics, and reportedly “a thousand bottles of baby oil,” which were linked to the alleged sex trafficking operations. A pivotal moment came when CNN released surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs violently assaulting Ventura, which he later publicly apologized for, saying, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable” (09:48).

Legal Proceedings and Trial Preparations As the trial approaches, Combs has been denied bail multiple times due to concerns about his potential flight risk and the safety of potential witnesses. The prosecution's case heavily relies on testimonies and evidence that suggest an extensive criminal network orchestrated by Combs. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento notes, “The indictment is describing Combs as the head of this very large criminal organization” (13:23). The defense, however, contends that some of Combs' employees are untrustworthy and may have acted independently, attempting to undermine his legacy.

Impact on Hip-Hop and Pop Culture Sean Combs' indictment marks a significant moment in hip-hop and broader pop culture. Known for his influence and success, Combs' fall has sparked intense discussions about accountability and the misuse of power within the industry. Ad Carson, a professor of hip-hop at the University of Virginia, emphasizes the complexity of the situation, stating, “Watching him get taken down is a very complicated thing” (19:46). Additionally, Ariane Nettles, a professor of digital journalism, points out that stereotypes about Black men may influence public perception and reactions to the allegations (20:16).

Societal Reactions and the #MeToo Movement The trial has ignited conversations about the potential for a broader #MeToo movement within hip-hop. While some believe it could lead to significant accountability, others note the challenges, particularly the need for male allies to come forward. Activist Tarana Burke and rapper Latto have expressed that for a meaningful movement to occur, more men in the industry must speak out against such abuses (22:29). The case underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Black women in the industry, who navigate both racism and sexism when coming forward with their experiences.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect During the Trial Isabella Gomez Sarmiento anticipates that the trial will feature harrowing testimonies from alleged victims, shedding light on the extent of Combs' alleged criminal activities. She remarks, “It will be a moment of reckoning… grappling with accountability on many more levels” (24:39). The courtroom proceedings are expected to challenge societal perceptions of power and celebrity, and their intersections with systemic abuse and exploitation.

Conclusion Sean Combs' trial represents not only a personal downfall but also a pivotal moment for the hip-hop industry and society's approach to power dynamics and accountability. As the legal battle unfolds, it will likely serve as a catalyst for introspection and potential reforms within the entertainment world, echoing broader societal movements toward justice and equality.

Notable Quotes:

• Sean Combs on his arrest and charges: “Sean Diddy Combs was arrested late Monday night in New York and indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering” (01:01).
• Combs’ public apology: “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now” (09:48 – 10:04).
• Isabella Gomez Sarmiento on the prosecution’s case: “The government is accusing Combs of using his power and influence to run a criminal organization” (04:04).
• Ad Carson on Combs’ downfall: “Watching him get taken down is a very complicated thing” (19:46).
• Isabella Gomez Sarmiento on the trial’s significance: “It will be a moment of reckoning… grappling with accountability on many more levels” (24:39).

Supporting Voices:

• Aya Gruber: Former defense attorney and criminal law professor at USC, providing insights into the evolving definitions of trafficking and coercion.
• Carolyn Guntert: Civil law attorney specializing in sexual violence cases, discussing the legal nuances of the charges.
• Ad Carson: Professor of hip-hop at the University of Virginia, analyzing the cultural impact of Combs' trial.
• Ariane Nettles: Professor of digital journalism at Florida A&M University, addressing racial and gender dynamics in public reactions.

Production Credits: The episode was produced by Andrew Mambo, edited by Jenny Schmidt, with mix engineering by Gilly Moon. Fact-checking was handled by Will Chase, and the Sunday Story team includes Justine Yan and Liana Simstrom. Executive production was led by Irene Noguchi.

Further Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Up First+ for an ad-free experience and support their local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Aisha Roscoe]

Aisha.

[Sean Combs]

I'm Aisha Rascoe and this is the Sunday Story where we go beyond the news to bring you one big story. This is Sean Combs, AKA P. Diddy. You might also know him as Puff Daddy Love or Puffy. And back in 2023 when he was performing this medley at the VMAs, he was at the height of his fame and power. He received a Global Icon award at the ceremony. And around the same time, Mayor Eric Adams awarded Combs a gold key to New York City.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

I want to thank y' all for.

[Aisha Roscoe]

This honor and just recognizing me being.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

From New York, giving me the key.

[Aisha Roscoe]

To the city, Diddy finally has the.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Key to the city.

[Sean Combs]

Twelve months later, Combs was in jail and facing criminal charges for sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

[Aisha Roscoe]

The hip hop artist Sean Combs, better known as Puff Daddy or P. Diddy, was arrested late last night.

[Sean Combs]

Sean Diddy Combs was arrested late Monday night in New York and indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

This is just the latest.

[Sean Combs]

Tomorrow, Combs trial will begin in New York City. Today on the show, NPR music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento joins us to talk about the rise and fall of one of hip hop's biggest, biggest stars. A warning. This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, violence and drug use. Stay with us.

[Aisha Roscoe]

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[Aya Gruber]

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[Aisha Roscoe]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Tools and Weapons, the podcast hosted by Microsoft's Vice Chair and President Brad Smith. Across three exclusive conversations on the company's 50th anniversary, Microsoft CEOs Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella share the stories, dreams and drive that fueled the digital revolution and explain why it may be at its most exciting point yet. For these and more conversations with other thought leaders, search tools and weapons wherever you listen to podcasts. This message comes from Fisher Investments Senior Vice President Michael Hosmar reflects on one of their core values. We want to empower our clients with knowledge. In fact, Fisher is built on that idea comes straight from our founder, Ken Fisher, who believes the more our clients understand about the plan we've built for them, the more comfortable they will be with their personal financial situation. Learn [e-mail] Investing in securities involves the risk of loss.

[Sean Combs]

We're back with the Sunday story. And joining me to talk about Sean Combs and his upcoming trial is NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento. Isabella, welcome.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Hi, Aisha.

[Sean Combs]

So this is a huge moment for hip hop, for pop culture more broadly because Sean Combs, Puffy Diddy, had a really indelible mark on hip hop and on pop culture, and now he's facing serious criminal charges. Bring me up to speed on what he's being accused of.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, I mean, right off the bat, we have to sort of set the record straight, which is that for nearly two years now, we've been hearing all of these civil lawsuits and really serious sexual abuse allegations against Sean Combs. But that's separate from the criminal charges he's facing during this trial. Although there is definitely a lot of overlap in the allegations. The big picture here is basically that the government is accusing Combs of using his power across the music, fashion, entertainment and media industries to run a criminal organization that not only facilitated but concealed sex crimes dating back more than a decade.

[Sean Combs]

Obviously, you think of hip hop, there are a lot of hip hop artists that go get arrested for drugs or violence, you know, something like that. This is sex crimes. What are we talking about?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, the first charge is for sex trafficking. So the prosecution is alleging that Combs would lure women into his orbit, often, you know, under the pretense of a romantic relationship, and then he would coerce them into commercial sex acts. So it's not just allegations of interpersonal sexual violence, but it's threatening or forcing someone into commercial sex acts that distinguishes this as trafficking. I spoke with Aya Gruber. She's a former defense attorney and a criminal law professor at the University of Southern California. And she said in the past, we've often understood trafficking to mean like an exploiter has forced someone to have sex with others for money. But that definition has kind of changed in recent years with these high profile.

[Carolyn Guntert]

Cases like Harvey Weinstein and the nexivm cult case. Courts are willing to define commercial sex as an exchange of sex, not just for money, but for anything of value. So it could be promises to help your career in entertainment. It could be moving up in the hierarchy, in the cult. So it can be various things.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

And that's a really important distinction to make, because the big picture that the government is painting here is that Combs would exert his power and his influence to promise his alleged victims money. Sure, but also career opportunities, and then he would hold that over them. So he would use intimidation and threats and often violence to allegedly get them to do what he wanted. Another thing that Combs is being charged with is transporting to engage in prostitution. He faces two counts of that. And. And criminal law professor Aya Gruber says those charges are also broader than we might think.

[Carolyn Guntert]

It's bringing somebody across state lines either to engage in commercial sex or any act that would be against federal law. So that could include things like trafficking, things like rape. So that encompasses more than just prostitution.

[Sean Combs]

So I would assume that it wasn't Combs acting alone and making all of this happen.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah. The charge that really ties all of this together is one for racketeering conspiracy. So it alleges that all of these crimes are able to happen because Combs used his businesses to direct his employees to do things like solicit victims, solicit illicit substances, clean up and conceal alleged criminal activity, and including through forced labor, bribery, arson, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice. Now, Combs has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges we've just discussed.

[Sean Combs]

But is Combs the only one on trial because conspiracy, you think that involves more people?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah. He's the only defendant publicly on the case. That doesn't mean there aren't other employees or associates of his that are being prosecuted. It just means, you know, on the public record, Combs is really the only person on trial for these crimes.

[Sean Combs]

So how did all of this come crashing down?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

For Combs to answer that, we need to back up a little bit. So earlier we heard that audio from the September 2023 VMAs performance, and you know, that ceremony where he got the key to the city of New York. But just two months after that, in November of 2023, his ex partner, the singer Cassie Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit against Combs for rape, trafficking, and physical assault. And basically, that lawsuit stated that Ventura met Combs when she was 19, and. And he was 37. And soon after that, she signed a record deal with his label, Bad Boy Entertainment. And then she says that he completely took over control of her life, both personal and professional. She alleges that Combs forced her to take illicit substances, that he forced her to participate in sex with male sex workers while Combs masturbated and filmed the encounters and that he frequently beat her very violently. The lawsuit stated that the beatings were often witnessed by Combs staff and employees. Combs has denied all of the allegations. But that lawsuit really sent shockwaves through pop culture because Combs and Ventura were in an on again, off again relationship for more than a decade. They were like, you know, a very public facing power couple. Within a day of Ventura filing that lawsuit, she and Combs settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. And after Ventura came forward, it kind of opened the doors, like more and more women and men began to file similar civil lawsuits against COMBS. Then in March 2024, the Department of Homeland Security conducted raids on two of COMBS properties. And two months later, CNN released this really shocking hotel surveillance footage that shows Combs very violently assaulting Ventura. The recording took place in Los Angeles in 2016. And after that video went public, Combs posted this on social media.

[Aisha Roscoe]

My behavior on that video is inexcusable.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.

[Sean Combs]

Disgusted.

[Aisha Roscoe]

I was disgusted then when I did it.

[Sean Combs]

I'm disgusted now.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Then In September of 2024, Combs gets arrested in New York City for these criminal charges that we were talking about earlier. Sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transporting to engage in prostitution.

[Sean Combs]

Okay, so, and going back to those raids, I mean, you know, it was huge news. Everybody's talking about it. Authorities confiscated weapons, electronics. And then, of course, everybody's talking about the thousand bottles of baby oil. And then there's talk of these alleged freak offs. Like, can you explain what those are? Because part of this has become this idea that, you know, this was like some Hollywood thing. Everybody's involved, celebrity is everywhere. But what are the actual accusations coming out of the. The alleged freak offs?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, the freak offs went a little bit viral online, and there's been a lot of speculation around them, but they are part of these alleged commercial sex acts. So when we're talking about sex trafficking and transporting to engage in prostitution, the government is describing the freakoffs as part of that. The indictment says that, quote, they were elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded, basically. The prosecution is alleging that Combs and his associates would transport commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally to participate in the freak offs, and that they often lasted multiple days. Participants were allegedly given controlled substances to, quote, keep the victims obedient and compliant. And the prosecution is also alleging that Combs coerced alleged victims to participate in the freak offs in a Number of ways. So physical violence was certainly a big part of it. I spoke with Carolyn Guntert. She's a civil law attorney specializing in sexual violence cases. And she said that under the law, the definition of coercion is actually quite expansive. Coercion could be financial coercion.

[Aya Gruber]

It could be threats of bodily harm.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

It could be threats to reputation. The law really defines it quite broadly, which is really important. So even like threatening to leak something that would embarrass or professionally harm someone, that could potentially be considered coercion here. And these freak offs were allegedly so physically taxing that the indictment says Combs and the participants were often given IV fluids afterwards to recover.

[Sean Combs]

The indictment obviously refers to these freak offs, but it sounds like the allegations you're describing are quite serious, even if they have this name that makes it more just sound salacious. And it does sound like this is very involved and complicated.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, I mean, there is the potential that there are other people who will be prosecuted, but the core part of the government's case is that this was allegedly an entire empire working to execute what Combs wanted. And that goes, you know, from finding the alleged victims to booking the hotels to cleaning up after the freak offs and allegedly using kidnapping, bribery, and arson to make things go Combs way and protect his public image. The thing that does complicate this a little bit is that the indictment says some of his employees were victims of his threats and violence themselves. So criminal law professor Aya Gruber said this is kind of key to the racketeering charge because it might make it easier for employees who facilitated and concealed crimes to be willing to testify against Combs.

[Carolyn Guntert]

It's always been designed as an aid in the government to prosecute people that, you know, they think other people wouldn't testify against. But another sort of clever part of the prosecution plan here is to paint the underlings as victims. Right. Because somebody could think, well, you know, this is a person who likes to be close to power, who gets a lot of money for doing bad things for Diddy. And this is sort of a bad actor here.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

So Gruber says that, like the defense could argue, some of Combs employees are untrustworthy. They're snitches. They went off and committed these crimes on their own. But that by alleging that some of them were coerced into doing these things, it becomes a lot easier for the prosecution to paint a picture of Combs as the head of this very large criminal organization working in his favor.

[Sean Combs]

So he's facing these charges alone. And Combs has been held in jail since his arrest in September, right?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, that's right. He's been denied bail multiple times. The judges presiding over the case felt that he was at risk of leaving the country or of of harming or intimidating potential witnesses. And that surveillance video of him assaulting Cassave Ventura has come back up a lot leading up to the trial. The prosecution pointed to it as evidence that Combs can be violent and should await trial in custody. There's a very vivid description of the video and the indictment, though Ventura is not named. And the prosecution alleges that Combs and his people paid off hotel staff for the footage. So the defense has tried very hard to get that video thrown out as evidence for the trial, but did not succeed. And I should mention that more counts have been added since Combs was first indicted. NPR reached out to Combs attorneys for comment multiple times leading up to this trial and they did not get back to us. But they've repeatedly denied the allegations against him in the past. And again, he's pleaded not guilty. They've said all of these sexual encounters were consensual.

[Sean Combs]

When we come back, we'll get into Diddy's legacy and why social media is leading some people to question whether he's being set up. We know how often an allegation of wrongdoing has coincided with the desire to.

[Aisha Roscoe]

Tear down someone who's achieved great power.

[Sean Combs]

Stay with us.

[Aisha Roscoe]

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[Aya Gruber]

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[Sean Combs]

We're back with Isabella Gomez Sarmiento talking about Sean Combs, the criminal charges and how he got to this point. Let's so you know, I grew up huge fan of at that time it was Puff Daddy. Then it was Puffy. You know, Sean Combs. Like, I read all the hip hop magazines. He was on the covers. I knew his whole history. He has been from, you know, Uptown days, Uptown record labels to starting Bad Boys. Been a huge part of hip hop and pop culture. How did he get so powerful?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, I mean, like you mentioned, it's a really remarkable story. He starts out as an intern at Uptown records in the 1990s, and he rises through the ranks very, very quickly. Uptown founder Andre Harrell was in his corner. Combs gets promoted to talent director at Uptown, which is a big role for someone of his age. Then in 1993, he gets fired from Uptown, but it doesn't stop him. Instead, he launches his own label, Bad Boy Records. And he very quickly becomes a key player behind the scenes. He spearheads the careers of people like the Notorious B.I.G Mary J. Blige and eventually Usher. And then at the same time, he starts releasing his own music. So he becomes this big chart topping artist in his own right. And he makes hip hop not just culturally significant, but, you know, he proves that it's a really profitable and lucrative business. And he's ahead of the curve, not just when it comes to music. He also expands into all kinds of business ventures. He starts a fashion line. He creates these really lucrative partnerships with Cirack Vodka and Deleon Tequila. He ventures into reality TV with the show Making the Band. He starts Revolt Media. So, I mean, he has this big arc throughout the 90s and 2000s where he's like a key player in pop culture. He throws the annual white parties that frame him as like a modern day Gatsby. You know, there are these huge events where everyone wears all white in the Hamptons and in Beverly Hills. And to get invited to those back then was considered like a status symbol of the upper echelons of celebrity. But, you know, now looking back, those parties have kind of taken on a taint because several civil lawsuits alleged that they were the site of sexual assault and commercial sex acts. But for a few decades, it was like everything Diddy touched turned to gold. He kept recording music, he became a media mogul. He was like untouchable.

[Sean Combs]

I mean, there, there are generations of people who grew up looking up to Diddy or looking up to Combs, enjoying his music. If they didn't look, he was just a part of the culture, especially the hip hop culture. How is all of that playing out now? What's the reaction?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, I mean, it's very complicated. My colleague Sydney Madden and I talked to Ad Carson, who's a professor of hip hop at the University of Virginia, and here's how he described it.

[Sean Combs]

In a lot of ways, Diddy and.

[Aisha Roscoe]

Folks like him are like the realization of the American dream. They're avatars of what folks understand to.

[Sean Combs]

Be like black excellence or black achievement.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

So watching him get taken down, watching him get accused of all of these very serious crimes, it's a very complicated thing. Ariane Nettles is a professor of digital journalism at Florida A and M University, and she says there might be a defensive reaction to the allegations against Combs because of stereotypes about black men in this country.

[Sean Combs]

Historically, we do know that there have been times where black men had been unfairly accused of things and that the stereotype of the black man, especially, you know, from slavery and after, had been of kind of an over sexualized brute. And so the hurt from that, I think, has never really been kind of fixed.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

And there's some added layers to this because when it comes to hip hop specifically, there's such a long history of it being scapegoated and pathologized as promoting violence and promoting drugs and all of these terrible things. So Nettles and Carson both told me that they understand why it might be difficult for Diddy fans to parse these allegations out, but also they emphasize that it's important to keep in mind that some of these alleged victims are black women who are vulnerable to both racism and. And sexism. So both Nettles and Carson said it's just really important to center their voices in all of this.

[Sean Combs]

Yeah, I mean, unfortunately, you know, Combs is not the first hip hop artist to be accused of violence against women or even sexual crimes against women. The scale of what's being talked about with Combs and then the level of stardom that he has is what sets this apart. The only thing that I can see kind of similar thing that happened in the past is R. Kelly, who's not a rapper, was singer huge in pop culture. I mean, he's written so many hit songs for everybody and himself. And he was charged with racketeering and sex trafficking after many years of rumors about, you know, sexual abuse on his account. And R. Kelly was found guilty of both. But it doesn't seem like that sparked a lot of soul searching in hip hop or R and B. Do you think that this Combs case might be different?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, I mean, it's interesting you bring that up because there are a lot of allegations against Combs that are very similar to the R. Kelly case. And like you mentioned, R. Kelly was found guilty. He's serving 30 years in prison. But just like that didn't necessarily spark a larger wave of accountability. A lot of the attention on this trial has been focused pretty much entirely on Combs. The question about whether this is gonna be like a MeToo moment within hip hop is a really interesting and nuanced one. NPR's podcast Louder Than a Riot reported extensively on hip hop and the MeToo movement. They spoke with activist and organizer Tarana Burke, who coined the term MeToo more than two decades ago in her work with young survivors of sexual assault, mostly young women of color. And when they asked if she thought hip hop was part of the 2017 MeToo reckoning, she said no. The rapper Latto also spoke with Louder Than A Riot, and she said that for a real Me Too movement to happen in hip hop, the men have to come forward. And that's just not necessarily what we're seeing right now.

[Sean Combs]

We need the men. We need them to, you know, speak out and call these out when they do some lame, yeah, that might be your partner. Y' all might be from the same hood. Y' all might got a mixtape together or a feature, whatever, but we need them to speak up for when it.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Comes to Sean Combs. There are men who've come forward as alleged victims, but we're not really seeing powerful men admit that these things happened or admit that they were aware of the abuse and they should have spoken up or done something to stop it. What we are seeing is women who were in those spaces come forward. So, for example, the singer Dawn Richard, who has worked with Combs for years, filed her own civil lawsuit of abuse against Combs. But in the suit, Richard also alleges that she witnessed Combs assault Cassave Ventura on many occasions, including in rooms full of very, very powerful people, and yet nobody spoke up about it. So this really just goes to illustrate that there's a culture of fear and silence that really surrounded Combs for decades, and it's what allowed him to maintain control of his public image.

[Sean Combs]

With all the context that you've given us, what will you be thinking about and looking out for as this trial unfolds?

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Yeah, I mean, I think the main thing is that we're going to finally get to hear from these alleged victims, you know, many of whose identities we don't know, and we're gonna get to hear in their own words what they say happened to them. There's gonna be a lot of disturbing testimony and likely a lot of disturbing footage. It will be a moment of reckoning. You know, how we as a society think about systems of power and how that power often gets abused. So, you know, if this is going to spark a larger moment or a larger movement, it's going to require grappling with accountability on many more levels and not just treating this like one bad apple.

[Sean Combs]

Isabella, thank you so much for being here today and for all of your work on helping us understand this story.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Thank you for having me, Aisha.

[Sean Combs]

That was NPR music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento. This episode of the Sunday Story was produced by Andrew Mambo and was edited by Jenny Schmidt. The mix engineer was Gilly Moon. Fact checking by Will Chase. The Sunday Story team includes Justine Yan and Liana Simstrom. Our executive producer is Irene Noguchi. We always love hearing from you, so feel free to reach out to us at the Sunday [e-mail] I'm Aisha Roscoe. A versus back in your feed tomorrow with all the news you need to start your week. Until then, have a great rest of your weekend.

[Aya Gruber]

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[Aisha Roscoe]

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