In a dramatic turn at Combs’s sex-trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan federal court, a former InterContinental Hotel security officer testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs attempted to bribe him with $100,000 in cash to obtain and suppress a surveillance video capturing the 2016 assault on his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

That testimony could become a pivotal moment as prosecutors aim to show Combs ran a criminal enterprise, using money and influence to cover up violent acts—and potentially facilitate sex trafficking.

 Groundbreaking Testimony

On June 3, former guard Eddy Garcia, now under federal immunity, took the stand. He detailed how, in the days after the incident in March 2016, he was contacted by Combs’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, and then by Combs himself, to turn over the only USB copy of the tape. Combs allegedly said the footage would ruin him and declared he’d “take care” of Garcia—financially

Garcia arranged to hand the drive to Combs in a paid-for L.A. office, where Combs brought a money counter and $100K in cash. He split the payment: $50K to his supervisor, $20K to another guard, and $30K for himself. He also signed strict nondisclosure paperwork with a $1 million breach penalty

 A Key Piece of the Prosecutors’ Case

Prosecutors consider this episode crucial to their case, arguing:

The video displays Combs physically assaulting Ventura—footage that supports allegations of force and coercion underlying sex trafficking charges .

The $100K payment represents bribery and obstruction, two racketeering predicates in the RICO indictment .

Another guard, Israel Florez, also testified that Combs offered him money to stay silent immediately after the incident—strengthening the prosecution’s narrative.

 Garcia’s Detailed Account

Garcia’s testimony went beyond cash and video:

Combs, “very nervous” and “talking very fast,” admitted to overdrinking and warned the tape could destroy his career

Cassie’s voice was heard on a FaceTime call, urging Garcia to “make it go away” because she had a film project—adding emotional pressure to the hush effort

The nondisclosure required him to swear it was the only copy, and the confidentiality agreement carried a hefty penalty

Garcia eventually disclosed the scheme to investigators after securing immunity, admitting he hadn’t initially cooperated with authorities

 Why This Footage Matters

The tape showing Combs kicking and dragging Ventura is central to proving:

Physical abuse, aligning with charges of coercion in sexual conduct;

Conscious cover-up, reinforcing the prosecution’s racketeering and obstruction claims

As noted by Business Insider, prosecutors say this moment strengthens at least two counts in the RICO case

 Combs Denies Wrongdoing—Defense Pushes Back

Combs has pled not guilty and his legal team emphasizes that assault and domestic violence aren’t among the charges. Defense attorneys argue the payment was meant to protect privacy, not obstruct justice, and question Garcia’s credibility due to his immunity deal

Judge Subramanian cautioned against theatrics in court, signaling high tension as each side builds toward verdict

 What Comes Next

The trial has entered its later stages, with more witness testimony still pending and closing arguments anticipated soon

The jury must decide not only whether Combs paid to conceal the assault, but whether that action ties into a broader criminal enterprise.

 Final Take

Eddy Garcia’s bombshell testimony—centered on a six-figure hush payment and video suppression—marks a turning point in the high-stakes trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. If the jurors believe this account, it could be decisive in determining whether Combs is guilty of running a criminal operation that obstructed justice and masked systemic abuse.