A former assistant to Sean Combs testified on Tuesday that the music mogul, widely known as “Diddy,” frequently issued threats and once kidnapped her in a fit of jealous rage over his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura.
Capricorn Clark made the revelations while giving evidence before a jury in the federal trial of the disgraced rapper, producer and entrepreneur. Combs faces charges of racketeering and sex trafficking that could result in a life sentence.
Clark recounted how, early one morning in December 2011, Combs arrived at her residence after discovering Ventura was involved with rapper Kid Cudi.
He was armed, she said, and ordered her to dress and accompany him, declaring: “We’re going to kill” Kid Cudi – real name Scott Mescudi – who also gave evidence last week during the high-profile proceedings in Manhattan.
The alleged incident is a key element in the prosecution’s case, which portrays Combs as the ringleader of a criminal conspiracy involving arson, kidnapping, and bribery.
Clark’s testimony supports accounts given by both Mescudi and Ventura. The jury previously heard that, following the incident, Mescudi’s car was set ablaze in January 2012 — an act Ventura claimed Combs had threatened in advance.
‘Threats and intimidation’
Clark is the most prominent former employee to testify so far in the trial. She described her rise through Combs’s business empire, initially as a personal assistant and later in senior roles at his fashion label, Sean John.
She broke down in tears multiple times as she recalled being subjected to threats, including death threats, and efforts by Combs to obstruct police investigations. One particularly harrowing experience she described was undergoing a five-day lie detector test after Combs accused her of stealing diamond jewellery.
Under cross-examination, the defence questioned the timeline of events and her decision to continue working for Combs despite the alleged abuse. Clark responded that aside from a brief stint at Jive Records, she was unable to find other work due to Combs’s influence.
“He made it clear I would never work again,” she said. “He told me I’d end up killing myself.”
Clark also recounted the dual nature of her employment — at times an inspirational experience akin to business school, yet dominated by threats and fear. She described witnessing Combs physically assault Ventura during his conflict with Mescudi.
“With every kick, she curled more into a foetal position,” Clark testified.
Earlier in the trial, Ventura gave graphic evidence, claiming Combs became violent after discovering her relationship with Mescudi, lunging at her with a corkscrew. She also alleged he threatened to release explicit footage of her, having coerced her into being filmed during sex acts with male prostitutes.
Jurors were shown messages in which Ventura informed Clark of these threats. However, Clark also expressed mixed feelings about Ventura — questioning her talent and ethics, yet acknowledging she may have helped her secure later employment after allegedly playing a role in her dismissal.
The prosecution is expected to next call a Los Angeles-based police officer and arson investigator, as well as stylist Deonte Nash and another former employee of Combs who is also an alleged victim.
Now in its third week, the trial is likely to continue into the summer.