Diddy buried Cassie Ventura’s assault with a threat and ‘sack of money’

A former hotel security guard’s testimony is bringing new details to the ongoing sex trafficking trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Israel Florez, now an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, shared information about a 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, which involved an alleged assault on singer Cassie Ventura and a reported attempt by Combs to bribe him.

Florez testified in the federal trial, explaining his response to a call about a woman in distress on the sixth floor of the hotel. When he arrived, he saw Ventura looking scared, crouched in a corner with her face covered by a hood. There was a broken flower vase on the floor. Combs, wrapped only in a towel, was also there. Per NBC News, the guard said, “She was scared. She was in the corner, hood on, covered up. I couldn’t see her face, she was pretty much in the corner. On the floor was a destroyed flower vase.”

Florez’s testimony suggests that Combs confessed to arguing with Ventura. When Ventura tried to leave and get her phone, Combs supposedly stopped her. Florez stepped in, standing in the doorway to let Ventura leave safely. As Florez was about to exit, Combs reportedly called him back. He then threw a “sack of money” at Florez while warning him with three words: “Don’t tell anyone.”

Diddy attempted to bribe a security guard

This alleged bribe would show that Diddy was very used to doing this to get his way. This testimony adds significant weight to the serious allegations against Combs. In November 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit against him, claiming he raped her and physically abused her repeatedly throughout their nearly ten-year relationship.

The lawsuit also detailed allegations of forced sexual encounters with male sex workers. Though the lawsuit was settled the next day, the allegations remain an important part of the ongoing legal case. In May 2024, hotel surveillance footage was released, which supported Ventura’s claims. The video showed Combs attacking Ventura, throwing her to the floor, kicking her multiple times, and dragging her down a hallway.

Combs later publicly apologized, admitting to his “inexcusable” actions and saying he sought professional help. However, his apology didn’t mention Ventura at all. Combs currently faces five criminal charges: one for racketeering conspiracy; two for sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion; and two for transporting someone for prostitution.

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all of these charges. The trial centers around allegations from four alleged victims, referred to in court as “Victim-1,” “Victim-2,” “Victim-3,” and “Victim-4.”