Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy
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For decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip-hop. But Diddy’s star began to implode when a video came out showing the music mogul assaulting his then-girlfriend. There had long been whispers about Diddy's aggression. But critics say his influence and relevance kept the rumors quiet. Until now. A raft of new lawsuits detail shocking allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation orchestrated in so-called "freak offs" -- sex parties Diddy allegedly ordered, videotaped and controlled. Diddy now faces federal charges that include sex trafficking. He has denied all wrongdoing and said all encounters were consensual. A new podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio traces how whispers of abuse came to light and led to Diddy’s downfall. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire takes listeners inside the rise and fall of Diddy, the allegations and his defense with twice-weekly real-time updates during the trial.
Location:
United States
Description:
For decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip-hop. But Diddy’s star began to implode when a video came out showing the music mogul assaulting his then-girlfriend. There had long been whispers about Diddy's aggression. But critics say his influence and relevance kept the rumors quiet. Until now. A raft of new lawsuits detail shocking allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation orchestrated in so-called "freak offs" -- sex parties Diddy allegedly ordered, videotaped and controlled. Diddy now faces federal charges that include sex trafficking. He has denied all wrongdoing and said all encounters were consensual. A new podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio traces how whispers of abuse came to light and led to Diddy’s downfall. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire takes listeners inside the rise and fall of Diddy, the allegations and his defense with twice-weekly real-time updates during the trial.
Language:
English
Episodes
The Trial: After the Verdict
7/8/2025
Last week, the jury in USA v. Sean Combs returned a split verdict. Reactions have been split, too. Lots of people have weighed in -- from Sean Combs’ family to other celebrities, to you: our listeners. As we wrap up trial coverage, ABC News Legal Contributor Brian Buckmire sits down with ABC’s Tonya Simpson to dissect the verdict and process what it might mean for Diddy’s legacy. Also, Brian answers your post-verdict questions. We’ll be back in your feed for Diddy’s sentencing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:45:46
The Trial: Split Verdict
7/2/2025
The jury in USA v. Sean Combs returned a verdict in his trial Wednesday morning. They found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but not guilty on the more serious charges he faced. ABC New Legal Contributor Brian Buckmire brings us this breaking news episode, sharing his reactions to the verdict, as well as what to expect from Combs’s future sentencing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:14:32
The Trial: Verdict Watch
7/1/2025
The jury picked a foreperson, and not long after, the foreperson sent the judge a note about a juror who they claim could not follow the judge’s instructions. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire examines the first day of deliberations and answers your questions about hung juries, what jurors can reveal after they’ve executed their duties, and the sentence Sean Combs could face if convicted. Combs maintains his innocence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:20:31
Burden of Proof: The Defense’s Closing Argument
6/27/2025
Court adjourned Friday with the conclusion of closing arguments. Sean Combs’ lead defense attorney Marc Agnifilo attacked the government’s charges, accusing them of turning Diddy’s sex life into a crime scene. Analysis of closings from Brian Buckmire and others on "Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy” which streams weekdays at 5:30 PM Eastern on ABC News Live. Find it on Disney+, Hulu, or on most of your favorite streaming apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:27:31
The Trial: The Prosecution’s Closing Argument
6/27/2025
The government reminded jurors of the complex web of witnesses and evidence it has presented over the past month and a half to try to prove Sean Combs guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. The defense team will make its closing arguments Friday. ABC News legal contributors Channa Lloyd and Bernarda Villalona join Brian Buckmire to break down how prosecutors made their case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:31:29
The Trial: Zero Witnesses for the Defense
6/24/2025
The case could be in the hands of the jury by Friday, and Brian Buckmire answers more of your questions. You can leave a voicemail with your question about the trial at 929-388-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:23:04
The Trial: Who’s the Leak?
6/20/2025
This week in USA v Sean Combs: The judge is concerned that his court has a leak, there’s another issue with one of the jurors, and the jury saw videos of freak offs for the first time. Brian Buckmire also talks to prominent defense attorney Donna Rotunno, who represented Harvey Weinstein, about possible strategies for Sean Combs’ defense. If you have a question about the case, leave a voicemail at 929-388-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:33:05
The Trial: New Week, New Juror
6/17/2025
The judge in Sean Combs’ trial removed a juror following questions about his candor and whether -- as the judge said -- he “shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury.” An alternate juror took his place. The prosecution could rest its case as soon as Wednesday. And Brian Buckmire answers your questions about why the jury isn’t sequestered, why there are no cameras in federal court and if prosecutors would ever go after alleged victims as co-conspirators. Leave a voicemail with your question: 929-388-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:24:32
The Trial: “You went to another man's freak-off?”
6/13/2025
“Jane” wrapped up a week on the stand. Combs’ former girlfriend told jurors about her resentment over participating in “hotel nights" which she believed other girlfriends didn’t do. She also described a trip to Las Vegas with another famous rapper. Brian Buckmire talks with ABC Chief Investigative Correspondent Aaron Katersky about the cross examination of "Jane." If you have a question about the case, leave a voicemail at 929-388-1249 and Brian will try to answer it on a future episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:20:36
The Trial: “I’m not a sex robot”
6/10/2025
“Jane” returned to the stand and told jurors that Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit was like “reading my own sexual trauma.” She testified her alleged “hotel nights” were a lot like Cassie’s alleged freak-offs. The jury also heard Diddy’s voice in audio evidence. “Jane” told the jury she stood up to her boyfriend but also felt trapped because he paid for the roof over her head. And, Brian Buckmire answers your questions about jury nullification, mistrials, and Bibles in court. If you have questions about the trial, leave a voicemail at 929-388-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:22:10
The Trial: Diddy Gets Scolded
6/6/2025
Brian Buckmire talks with someone at ABC who’s been tracking Diddy’s story very closely: Stephanie Maurice coordinates all the interview bookings for ABC’s coverage of Diddy (including this podcast!). She’s been in the courtroom watching the explosive testimony and comparing it with allegations from the civil lawsuits against Diddy. She’s got her eyes on Diddy everyday in court and she’s noticed how expressive he’s been during testimony. The judge has taken note, too. Got a question about the trial? Leave a voicemail at 929-388-1249 and Brian Buckmire might answer it on a future episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:25:11
Burden of Proof: Follow the Money
6/3/2025
Today was all about the money, in the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. An Intercontinental Hotel employee testified that Combs paid him $100,000 in cash to hand over the video of Diddy attacking Cassie. Eddy Garcia told the courtroom that the mogul called him “Eddy, my Angel.” Also, longtime Combs’ Enterprises Chief of Finance explained to the jury how business was conducted in the company. Analysis of witness testimony from Brian Buckmire and others on "Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy" which streams weekdays at 5:30PM Eastern on ABC News Live. Find it on Disney+, Hulu, or on most of your favorite streaming apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:27:31
The Trial: A Heated Cross
6/3/2025
Cross-examination of “Mia,” a former Combs assistant, gets contentious. Plus, we answer more of your questions on non-disclosure agreements, no-show witnesses and lesser charges. Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, the looming question of a presidential pardon, and Suge Knight weighs in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:22:54
The Trial: Evidence
5/30/2025
Brian Buckmire sits down with ABC’s Peter Charalambous for a deep dive into the evidence of USA v. Sean Combs. Over 200 exhibits have been entered into evidence and seen by the jury to try to bolster both the prosecution and defense’s cases. Plus, the biggest moments from court this week -- including the defense moving for a mistrial and testimony from former employees of Combs. One telling the jury she was kidnapped and another testifying that she couldn’t leave whenever she wanted, only when she had permission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:26:59
Burden of Proof: Diddy Made Death Threats, According to Key Witness
5/27/2025
Diddy's former assistant Capricorn Clark takes the stand and testifies that Diddy threatened to kill rapper Kid Cudi. Clark also testifies to being held against her will twice and made to undergo lie detector tests -- repeatedly -- because of suspicion that she stole jewelry loaned to Combs. Analysis of Clark's testimony from Brian Buckmire and others on "Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy" which streams weekdays at 5:30PM Eastern on ABC News Live. Find it on Disney+, Hulu, or on most of your favorite streaming apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:24:37
The Trial: Prosecutors Go for the Big Fish
5/23/2025
Brian recaps key moments in court this week, including Kid Cudi taking the stand. Then, a conversation with former prosecutor Moira Penza who won a conviction in the high profile RICO and sex trafficking case against Keith Raniere of NXIVM. Diddy faces those charges as well, and two of the defense attorneys Penza went up against in that 2019 trial are now representing him. If you have questions about the case, leave us a voicemail at 929-388-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:37:46
The Trial: Your Questions Asked and Answered
5/20/2025
Brian Buckmire answers your questions about domestic violence, jury notes and the possibility of a presidential pardon. If you have a question about the case you'd like Brian Buckmire to answer in an upcoming episode, leave a voicemail at 929-388-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:17:57
The Trial: Star Witness
5/16/2025
With no cameras in the courtroom, one of the key people taking in every word and noting reactions in the courtroom is ABC Coordinating Producer Tonya Simpson who’s there with her pen and notebook. We’ll get her take on the dramatic testimony of Cassie Ventura, the government’s first major witness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:24:48
The Trial: Cassie Ventura's Second Day of Testimony
5/14/2025
For a second day, Cassie Ventura was on the stand in the trial of Sean Diddy Combs. Hear analysis from ABC News Live's "Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy." The show streams weekdays at 5:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC News Live. You can find it on Disney+, Hulu, or on most of your favorite streaming apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:27:00
The Trial: Cassie Ventura Takes the Stand
5/13/2025
All eyes were on Cassie Ventura as she testified in a packed Manhattan courtroom today. Analysis of her testimony from Brian Buckmire and others on"Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy” which streams weekdays at 5:30 PM Eastern on ABC News Live. Find it on Disney+, Hulu, or on most of your favorite streaming apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:28:34