Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs ‘feared footage of him beating girlfriend would ruin career’

Prosecutors are using the Intercontinental Hotel video as key evidence against the Bad Boy Records founder, arguing it corroborates allegations from three women, including Cassie, that Combs subjected them to sexual and physical abuse over two decades.

Prosecutors further contend that Combs’ efforts to suppress the video align with accusations that he leveraged threats, wealth, and fame to manipulate situations.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering charges following his arrest at a New York hotel in September. He has remained jailed without bail since then.

Garcia testified that after the attack, he had several conversations with Combs’ chief-of-staff, Kristina Khorram. He informed her that he couldn’t show her the recording but indicated "off the record, it’s bad."

During one phone call, Khorram reportedly put a "very nervous" sounding Combs on the line, who claimed he "had a little too much to drink" and that, as Garcia surely knew, "with women, one thing leads to another and if this got out it would ruin him.”

Garcia added, “He was talking really fast, a lot of stuttering.”

Garcia stated that he became nervous when Khorram called him at home on his personal mobile phone – the number for which he hadn’t provided – and put Combs on the phone.

“He stated that I sounded like a good guy,” Garcia testified, adding that Combs reiterated that "something like this could ruin him.”

When Garcia informed Combs that he didn’t have server access to retrieve the video footage, Combs expressed his belief that Garcia could facilitate its acquisition and that "he would take care of me," which Garcia interpreted as a financial offer.

Garcia then reportedly consulted with his supervisor, who agreed to sell the footage to Combs for $50,000.

Upon being informed of this, Garcia said the music producer "sounded excited."

“He referred to me as ‘Eddy my angel’," Garcia testified, adding, "I knew you could help. I knew you could do it.”

Within two days of Combs’ attack on Ventura, Garcia delivered a storage device containing the video to Combs, who paid him $100,000 in cash, counting the bills with a money counter and placing them in a brown paper bag.

Garcia signed a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement, presented in court, stipulating a $1 million penalty for breaching the agreement.

At the time, Garcia said he earned $10.50 per hour working hotel security.

Garcia also testified to signing a declaration under penalty of perjury, affirming the absence of other copies of the video.

He signed documents in an office building with Combs’ bodyguard and Khorram present. He stated that he didn’t fully read the documents, due to nervousness and the desire to "get out of there as soon as possible.”

After signing, Combs reportedly inquired about Garcia’s plans for the money and advised against making significant purchases, which Garcia interpreted as a warning to avoid drawing attention.

Garcia said he gave $50,000 to his boss, who first suggested selling the video, and $20,000 to another security officer, keeping $30,000, some of which to purchase a used car.

He said he used cash to avoid a paper trail, and never deposited the remaining money into a bank.

Weeks later, Garcia testified Combs called him, asking if anyone had inquired about the video. Upon hearing no inquiries had been made, Combs reportedly gave this greeting: “Happy Easter. Eddy, my angel. God is good. God put you in my way for a reason.”

Garcia said that during the call, he inquired with Combs about future employment opportunities, to which Combs responded receptively. However, Combs never responded to any of his further inquiries, the witness said.

CNN aired the security video last year. Another hotel guard also testified he recorded the footage on his phone so he could show it to his wife.