Government says Combs ran criminal enterprise under ‘climate of fear’ as prosecution wraps closing arguments

Slavik sat down after an almost 5-hour handle to the jury making the federal government’s case in opposition to Combs on all 5 prices.

She thanked the jury for his or her dedication, noting that a lot of the proof was exhausting to listen to and see all through the six weeks of trial.

Combs is responsible, Slavik mentioned, and he was in a position to get away with it due to the facility and affect he held.

“It’s time to maintain him accountable, it’s time for justice,” Slavic mentioned. “And it’s time to search out him responsible.”

Slavik’s closing remarks have now gone previous the 4-hour, 35-minute mark.

The federal government had earlier estimated that its closing would take about 4 hours.

Ventura’s lawsuit and Combs’ response to it “weaves this entire story collectively,” Slavik instructed jurors.

Combs knew that civil action may result in prosecution, in accordance with the prosecution, so he needed to circle the wagons and maintain his most trusted advisers, resembling his chief of workers and safety head, quiet and unseen.

“Paying folks off with a brown paper bag was not an possibility — he wanted to remain underneath the radar,” Slavik mentioned.

Slavik veered into the idea of pressured labor by revisiting the testimony of “Mia,” a former assistant who labored for Combs and mentioned he sexually assaulted her.

Combs used a sample of power that brought on Mia to imagine she can be harmed if she did not comply together with his needs, Slavik instructed the jury. The previous assistant testified that Combs slammed her right into a wall along with violence she noticed him topic Ventura to, Slavik mentioned.

When Mia was in South Africa with Ventura, her job was threatened if she did not reply the telephone, the prosecutor continued. Mia knew that she could not inform Combs “no,” Slavik argued.

Ventura and “Jane” had no selection however to carry out sexually for Combs whilst they grew to become sick and their our bodies wore down, Slavik mentioned.

Days-long “freak offs” have been fueled by ecstasy, molly and cocaine, in accordance with the prosecutor.

Each of his girlfriends often suffered from urinary tract infections (UTI) however have been nonetheless pressured to have intercourse at Combs’ path, Slavik mentioned.

The court docket is getting back from its afternoon break.

Although the prosecution mentioned it was prone to wrap its closing arguments after 4 hours, Slavik instructed the court docket she wants one other hour earlier than she’s achieved.

The court docket is taking a quick 15-minute break as Slavik hits the fourth hour of her closing arguments.

Escorts named Paul, Kabrale and Reggie from the company Cowboys 4 Angels have been among the many go-to hires for Combs, Slavik mentioned.

They often traveled to fulfill with Combs and his girlfriend, usually making a multitude the place they stayed, in accordance with the prosecutor.

The jury was reminded of a textual content “Jane” despatched to Combs, telling him of bodily fluid stains left at The London West Hollywood.

The touring “freak off” present was at all times in movement and coming to a glamorous locale close to you, Slavik mentioned.

Ventura and male intercourse escorts traveled by means of Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Atlanta, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Ibiza, in accordance with journey and bank card information cited by the prosecutor.

Interstate transportation for prostitution, two of the 5 counts in opposition to Combs, is probably going the least talked about a part of the case and that is mirrored in Slavik saving it for simply the final portion of her closing arguments.

Slavik reviewed journey itineraries for intercourse staff who have been flown out throughout the nation for Combs’ “freak offs.” She went over the funds as effectively, which have been placed on Combs’ American Categorical card.

Whereas the protection would possibly attempt to say Combs’ highest-ranking workers have been unaware of his “freak offs,” the prosecution factors out the instances they appeared to assist it occur.

Slavik famous how Kristina Khorram obtained intercourse staff to the resort rooms, and that she did harm management. Combs’ head of safety talked about it to Combs’ former assistant and helped purchase medication for Combs, Slavik mentioned.

A former assistant noticed video of a “freak off” on a workers iPad, she continued.

“It defies logic to suppose his most trusted lieutenants have been at nighttime,” Slavik instructed the jury. “They knew what was taking place, and so they helped him do it.”

The prosecutor cited a number of occasion wherein Ventura gave the impression to be trapped in her abusive relationship with Combs.

“He created a local weather of worry, ” Slavik mentioned. “Violence was in her thoughts every time he proposed freak offs.”

Ventura allegedly put herself in danger by not complying with Combs.

“She did not wish to make him indignant as a result of when he was indignant, he can be violent. He might be a scary individual,” Slavik mentioned.

Combs’ assault of Ventura on the InterContinental resort “ought to go away little question that he dedicated intercourse trafficking,” Slavik instructed the jury.

He used power to attempt to get Ventura again into the resort room the place the escort was ready so he may proceed with the “freak off,” the prosecutor argued.

Not solely did he assault her within the resort and bribe guards to purchase the footage of his assault, however Combs additionally confirmed up at Ventura’s condominium after banging on the door with a hammer, Slavik reminded the jury.

Combs knew he needed to maintain Ventura underneath management, she mentioned.

Combs’ head was down as Slavik replayed video of him assaulting Ventura in March 2016 in the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.

The video, first aired by CNN, reveals Ventura in naked ft headed to the elevator and away from the room the place Combs and a intercourse employee remained. Combs then comes operating down the corridor in only a towel, throwing Ventura to the bottom.

Ventura curled up as Combs kicked her repeatedly earlier than making an attempt to pull her again down the hallway.

Slavik reminded jurors they’ve seen video of Ventura having intercourse with escorts in acts allegedly pressured by Combs.

“She is performing similar to ‘Jane.’ Do not be fooled it’s something greater than that, a efficiency,” the prosecutor mentioned.

“They’re orchestrated and directed, at instances specializing in escort and never her in any respect. This was his fantasy, not Cassie’s. Sean Combs brought on her to have intercourse with escort utilizing coercion.”

Slavik has been making her closing arguments for 3 hours now.

The federal government instructed the court docket her speech was prone to finish at round 4 hours.

Combs’ internal circle helped him maintain Ventura underneath his thumb any time she tried to flee, the prosecutor mentioned.

Slavik instructed the jury that there was no secure house for Ventura as Combs exerted his management over and threatened her with violence. One in every of Combs’ bodyguards might have iced her accidents however he was in the end enjoying either side, Slavik mentioned, as he reported the whole lot again to Combs.

The prosecution confirmed a number of photos of a bruised and overwhelmed Ventura.

The photographs included wounds suffered after Combs allegedly flew right into a rage after studying she as soon as dated Child Cudi. One other was of her with a busted eyebrow when Ventura was purportedly thrown right into a mattress body.

“Any one among these assaults would have been life-changing,” Slavik mentioned. “However for Cassie, it grew to become her regular.”

Ventura was solely 19 when she signed on to a 10-album cope with Combs’ file firm, Slavik reminded the jury.

Not lengthy after her first album launch, Combs made it clear that he needed extra from her, she continued. And Combs exerted management over her as each her boss and her sexual associate — he instructed her what to do and refused to take no for a solution, the prosecutor argued.

Combs determined what Ventura wore, what her nails appeared like, who she spoke to, and a lot extra, Slavik instructed the jury. And regardless of the hours Ventura spent within the recording studio, he would by no means permit her to launch one other album, Slavik mentioned.

He wouldn’t permit her to become profitable for her music, making her depending on him, the prosecutor mentioned.

Ventura was at Combs’ facet for a decade however the relationship felt extra like a shameful job to her, in accordance with Slavik.

“It was not regular,” the prosecutor mentioned. “He often threatened and beat her and he plied her with medication and he pressured her to carry out intercourse with escorts in entrance of him. It was her job and her disgrace.”

“Earlier than ‘Jane,’ there was Cassie,” Slavik mentioned as she transitioned her closing arguments to sort out the intercourse trafficking cost associated to allegations made by Cassie Ventura.

Combs transported Ventura throughout state strains and worldwide borders, harboring her at varied locations the place “freak offs” passed off, the prosecution mentioned. Ventura testified that she by no means engaged with intercourse staff with out medication, she mentioned.

Slavik instructed the jury that Combs plied her with medication, beat her, threatened her and compelled her to carry out intercourse acts with escorts regardless of her disgrace over all of it.

The prosecutor cited a “resort evening” in July 2024 when Combs allegedly resorted to medication to manage then-girlfriend “Jane.”

Whereas the protection would counsel there’s proof Jane was a prepared participant that night, Slavik mentioned in any other case.

“However what it actually confirmed was that she was tremendous tremendous excessive,” the prosecutor mentioned.

Choose Subramanian gaveled proceedings again into motion.  

About 2 hours and 20 minutes into Slavik’s closing arguments, the court docket is breaking for lunch.

The prosecution may have one other hour and 40 minutes for its argument to the jury when it returns.

The prosecution turned its consideration to an alleged June 8, 2024 beating that “Jane” suffered at Combs’ arms.

The date is important because it came after federal agents raided Combs’ properties so the music mogul knew he was underneath investigation however did not change his conduct, Slavik mentioned.

Combs beat up Jane in her residence on that day, telling her, “you aren’t going to break my evening,” in accordance with the prosecutor.

A male intercourse employee was referred to as to the house the place he and Jane allegedly had intercourse for Combs’ leisure, the federal government mentioned.

As time went on with “Jane,” she started to withstand the concept of resort nights and Combs was pressured to alter techniques from the carrot to the stick, Slavik instructed the jury.

Slavik recounted a time in October 2023 when Jane instructed Combs that she did not wish to do resort nights anymore, insisting that she wanted a break. Combs agreed to spend a day together with her with out strangers, Slavik continued, however Jane one way or the other discovered herself sober in a room having intercourse with three males.

The evening went very badly, Slavik insisted to the jury. Jane vomited twice and Combs insisted she get again to the boys ready to have intercourse together with her, the prosecutor mentioned.

He coerced her even when she needed to cease, Slavik instructed the jury.

Combs has his arms clasped in his lap and his head is down as Slavik continues to hammer her case in opposition to him to the jury.

He seems downtrodden. Every so often, Combs seems to be up and glances over to the jury with a glance of defeat on his face.

Slavik reached the two-hour mark of the federal government’s allotted 4 hours of closing argument.

Combs often organized transportation for “Jane” to journey throughout state strains and have interaction in intercourse with males, Slavik mentioned.

He had Jane flown to and from New York, California, Miami, Las Vegas, and Turks and Caicos, the prosecutor pushed. On the similar time Kabrale, a often used intercourse employee, was additionally being transported throughout state strains for his or her resort nights, Slavik instructed the jury.

The prosecution confirmed a flurry of textual content messages, reminding jurors that Combs allegedly threatened “Jane” with intercourse movies if she did not keep in line.

A panicked Jane despatched textual content messages to Combs’ chief of workers Kristina Khorram in regards to the music mogul allegedly telling her these tapes might be leaked.

Khorram instructed Jane to provide Combs some house and mentioned she’d speak to him, in hopes of retaining his boss from doing something rash, textual content messages confirmed.

The defendant appeared dejected as Slavik launched into him about his “freak offs” and the doable prison legal responsibility related to these rendezvous.

Combs sat again in his chair, away from the protection desk together with his head down writing notes, throughout a lot of Slavik’s arguments about these elicit acts.

He did handle to write down some observations on Submit-it notes and hand them to his protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo.

Combs love-bombed “Jane” early on after assembly him, charming her with overwhelming affection earlier than introducing her to the idea of “resort nights,” Slavik instructed the jury.

Slavik accused Combs of grooming Jane and giving her medication as she realized what Combs preferred sexually to maintain him comfortable. Jane agreed to one among his fantasies when she was excessive and organized for a “resort evening” with a intercourse employee, the prosecutor continued.

Jane grew to become resistant as time went on and needed these nights to drop, however Combs plied her with medication and manipulated her into persevering with, Slavik instructed the jury. He even used paying her hire as a option to management her, the federal government mentioned.

The prosecution confirmed jurors 27 head pictures of males employed for intercourse throughout Combs’ “freak offs” and “resort nights.”

The photographs, proven in 9 rows of three, served to remind the panel that Combs allegedly employed intercourse staff to carry out together with his girlfriends whereas he watched from a brief distance away, videotaping the acts.

Slavik moved on to the intercourse trafficking prices in opposition to Combs in relation to Cassie Ventura and “Jane.”

She broke down three components of the cost: recruiting, engaging and harboring the sufferer; appearing with reckless disregard; and interstate commerce. Combs used power, fraud and coercion to to get the ladies to sleep with intercourse staff in his fueled “freak offs,” Slavik mentioned.

The prosecutor famous that coercion is extra difficult, as it will possibly imply {that a} sufferer believes refusal would topic her to a bodily, psychological or monetary hurt. It may additionally cowl hurt to a sufferer’s fame, Slavik mentioned.

The defendant had overwhelming motive to make use of any means doable to cowl up the 2016 resort beating, Slavik mentioned.

Dangerous publicity surrounding the videotaped assault would “break him,” in accordance with the prosecutor.

These actions amounted to a prison act, Slavik mentioned.

“Paying for silence is influencing testimony,” she instructed jurors.

It seems that the theme of Slavik’s last argument to the jury is that Combs and his internal circle refused to take no for a solution.

She repeatedly acknowledged the phrase, emphasizing it at first as she described Combs’ position on the prime of his alleged prison enterprise.

When describing the push to bribe guards for the 2016 resort beating footage, Slavik instructed the jury that his workers would cease at nothing to maintain the video from attending to regulation enforcement.

When Combs sought to cowl his tracks following the 2016 Los Angeles resort beating of Ventura, that amounted to an act of bribery, the prosecutor mentioned.

Slavik cited testimony about Combs allegedly paying off security guards on the InterContinental Lodge.

Combs, in full “harm management” mode, used cash and energy to purchase and manipulate witnesses, in accordance with Slavik.

Slavik simply hit the one hour mark on her closing assertion.

Both sides was allotted 4 hours to make their arguments to the jury.

Whereas it might be in query who reduce a gap within the Porsche belonging to Scott Mescudi, or Child Cudi, Slavik insists that it was clearly achieved on Combs’ orders.

“He was 100%” behind Child Cudi’s automobile blowing up,” Slavik mentioned, including that Combs actually mentioned it could blow up whereas he and Cassie Ventura left the nation.

The rapper was focused by Combs to manage Ventura, Slavik mentioned. The arson was designed to point out “nobody who crosses him will get away with it,” Slavik mentioned.

The defendant restricted the actions of others not less than 3 times, which have been all examples of kidnapping, the prosecutor mentioned.

After beating Ventura in 2009, he pressured her to remain in a resort room till these wounds healed, Slavik mentioned.

Slavik additionally cited testimony of longtime assistant Capricorn Clark, who mentioned she was as soon as pressured to go together with an indignant Combs and seek for Child Cudi. The defendant was allegedly in a jealous rage when he realized the rapper had been seeing Ventura.

Medication have been a vital a part of Combs’ “freak offs,” so he and his workers “have been all concerned in shopping for and distributing medication,” Slavik instructed the jury.

She referred to as again to proof from Brendan Paul, a former assistant, who was instructed by Combs’ chief of workers to ask for cash reimbursing him for buying medication. Combs wanted a relentless provide of illicit substances to provide to his victims and made certain to have his workers drop off extra when he ran out, Slavik mentioned.

“He gave them to Cassie and Jane, that is drug distribution plain and easy,” Slavik instructed the court docket.

At instances of this closing argument, Combs sat again in his chair, appeared forward, appeared down and typically forged a look towards jurors.

He’d been warned earlier in this trial in opposition to doing something that might be interpreted as speaking with jurors.

There are 4 components of the racketeering cost in opposition to Combs, Slavik defined to the jury as she walked by means of how the federal government’s case met every factor.

The primary is conspiracy to take part in a prison enterprise, which she insists Combs’ workers did by agreeing to assist him commit crimes. One instance she gave was when chief of workers Kristina Khorram made certain medication and money have been delivered to Combs’ resort rooms.

“She won’t have been comfortable, however she did it,” Slavik instructed the jury. “She was a member of the enterprise.”

The second and third components are the influence on state or overseas commerce and that Combs was knowingly a part of an enterprise. The previous is fulfilled as a result of Combs organized for intercourse staff and medicines to journey throughout state strains, Slavik mentioned. The latter is met as a result of Combs is the by means of line of his companies, which she mentioned existed solely due to Combs.

Lastly, the fourth factor is that the enterprise agreed to commit not less than two crimes underneath the RICO Act. Slavik says Combs’ prison enterprise agreed to commit crimes associated to medication, intercourse trafficking, bribery and arson as they helped cowl up his alleged crimes.

Whether or not a Combs staffer moved a single tablet or a thousand at his behest, these actions have been prison, the prosecutor mentioned.

“You realize what the defendant did,” Slavik mentioned. “He gave them to Cassie and Jane, that is drug distribution plain and easy.” 

Slavik urged jurors to concentrate to a map after they look again at Combs’ alleged prison acts.

She mentioned when intercourse staff have been paid to cross state strains or cellphones have been used, these acts amounted to violations of interstate commerce legal guidelines, in accordance with the prosecutor.

Slavik urged the jury to make use of its widespread sense in opposition to the protection’s declare {that a} prison enterprise did not exist simply because nobody testified explicitly that they have been in a single.

She instructed the jury that when an individual agrees to their boss’s demand to purchase medication, they’re agreeing to against the law. When an individual locks their boss’s girlfriend in a room after he stomped on her face, that individual is agreeing to commit against the law with their boss, Slavik continued.

And that’s agreeing to take part in an enterprise, the prosecutor asserted.

“Younger and keen” staffers, hungry to interrupt into the world of music administration, have been at all times at Combs’ beck and name, Slavik mentioned.

These younger assistants  “didn’t blink a watch” and did no matter it took to make Combs comfortable — even when it meant facilitating crimes, in accordance with Slavik.

Workers have been paid by Combs’ firms, thus turning work assets into gasoline for his crimes, the prosecutor mentioned.

Combs was highly effective in his personal proper however by means of the help of his enterprise, grew to become much more harmful, Slavik asserted to the jury.

She started delving into the racketeering cost in opposition to Combs, highlighting the idea of a prison enterprise. A bunch of individuals got here collectively to guard Combs’ energy, fame and to assist fulfill all his needs, Slavik mentioned.

These needs included committing crimes and retaining them from being found by regulation enforcement, she went on.

“It was his kingdom,” Slavik instructed the jury. And, “everybody was there to serve him.”

Combs leaned closely on these closest to him to loyally perform all of his orders, the prosecution mentioned.

“I’m speaking in regards to the defendant and his trusted internal circle,” Slavik mentioned. “He was the top and it existed to serve his wants.”

Combs has exhibited shockingly related, violent conduct for years, Slavik argued.

The prosecutor cited the notorious 2016 beating of Cassie Ventura on the InterContinental Lodge in Los Angeles and an alleged 2024 choking and slapping of his then-girlfriend, “Jane.”

Slavik started her handle to the jury by portray Combs because the chief of a prison enterprise, one who engaged in bribery and tried arson to call a few of his alleged crimes.

On the core of the enterprise was intercourse trafficking, Slavik continued. She instructed the jury that Combs manipulated each Cassie and “Jane” by means of energy, violence and worry to get what he needed.

And he would not take no for a solution, Slavik mentioned.

Combs donned light-colored pants and a white sweater this morning.

When the defendant entered the courtroom, he gestured to family members, placing his hand to his coronary heart.

He took his glasses out of his folder, put them on the desk and rubbed his palms collectively.

Assistant U.S. Legal professional Christy Slavik rose from the prosecution’s desk and commenced the federal government’s last arguments that Combs used his enterprise empire as a prison enterprise for “intercourse trafficking, pressured labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.” 

Combs may spend many years behind bars if a federal jury convicts him on all counts, which embody racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking.

The rapper and music government has pleaded not responsible, insisting his mood and different proclivities do not make for federal crimes.

A number of of Combs’ members of the family took their seats within the second row as a nervous power coursed by means of the courtroom.

The 2 attorneys who will ship closings, protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo and prosecutor Christy Slavik, gave the impression to be cordial to one another on this tense day.

They have been noticed standing off in a nook sharing fun.

This jury may have the correct of self-determination, as Choose Subramanian instructed the court docket that when closing arguments are over, they are going to have the ability to decide their very own schedule for deliberations.

U.S. District Choose Arun Subramanian has referred to as the court docket to order as a prolonged day of closing arguments is ready to start.

Because the trial kicked off greater than six weeks in the past, the federal government claims that Combs — the Dangerous Boy Information founder and rapper — leveraged his enterprise as a “prison enterprise” to sexually abuse and exploit ladies for many years. 

The jury heard from Combs’ staffers who testified the music mogul was an abusive boss and so they have been pressured to work grueling hours, clear up after his “resort nights,” and at instances procure medication for him. 

The jury additionally heard from two of his former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and a lady by the pseudonym “Jane,” who testified that Combs repeatedly needed them to interact in drug-fueled marathon “freak offs” with escorts, despite the fact that they didn’t wish to at instances. Additionally they testified that Combs was bodily violent and abusive. 

The protection has argued that Combs’ actions have been inside the realm of his private life and his girlfriends, and that prosecutors failed to point out that his workers criminally conspired with Combs.

Read the full story here.

Federal prosecutors wish to tighten their case in opposition to Combs, asking a decide to strike language concerning “tried” kidnapping and arson from jury directions, in accordance with court docket paperwork filed Tuesday.

Whereas Combs nonetheless faces the identical racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking counts — which embody the kidnapping and arson allegations — prosecutors mentioned in a submitting to U.S. District Court docket Choose Arun Subramanian that they perceive “the Court docket’s want for streamlined directions” to jurors.

“Particularly, the Authorities has eliminated directions from the cost regarding tried kidnapping underneath each California and New York regulation, tried arson underneath California regulation, and aiding and abetting intercourse trafficking,” the notice mentioned.

Read the full story here.

Prosecutors will ship closing arguments beginning at 10 a.m. at this time. 

They count on to take round 4 hours for his or her closing argument to the jury about their six-week case in opposition to Combs. The protection will then ship its closing arguments, that are anticipated to take a number of hours.

Choose Arun Subramanian hopes to cost the jury tomorrow.