‘When He Was Happy, I Was Safe’: Ex-Assistant Describes Fear and Control in Diddy Trial

Testimony continued Monday in the federal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, highlighted by emotional statements from a former employee alleging fear, coercion, and intimidation, alongside hotel records showing unusual cleaning charges associated with Combs' stays.

"Mia," testifying under a pseudonym, concluded her appearance on the witness stand following intense questioning from defense attorney Brian Steel. Mia testified she never reported alleged physical and sexual abuse by Combs to law enforcement or company human resources, fearing immediate termination and public humiliation.

“Human resources only punished me unjustly," Mia said, adding that if she had spoken out, she would have been branded as "a crazy person making everything up."

She detailed being coerced into promoting events and projects on social media as part of her job, explaining that failure to do so would result in being "screamed at, humiliated, made fun of, and my job would be threatened." Mia said that even posting birthday messages for Combs on social media was considered mandatory, and failing to do so would lead to consequences.

Defense attorneys highlighted messages Mia sent to Combs after the alleged abuse, including birthday greetings and expressions of support. Mia testified that maintaining a positive front was part of her survival strategy. “Because when he was happy, I was safe,” she said. She also said she remained psychologically under his control even after she stopped working for him.

Mia said she felt unable to leave her job, fearing retaliation, loss of credibility, and threats to her physical safety. “I just knew his power and his wrath,” she testified.

Following Mia's testimony, Sylvia Oken, director of sales and marketing at the Beverly Hills Hotel, took the stand, presenting records showing unusual cleaning expenses during Combs’ hotel stays. Bills revealed charges such as $500 for “oil damage” and $300 for cleaning drapes. Oken noted Combs frequently used the alias "Frank Black," referencing rapper Notorious B.I.G.'s "Frank White."

In a related development, Marion "Suge" Knight, co-founder of Death Row Records and currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for manslaughter, spoke out after his name was mentioned multiple times during the trial. Knight urged Combs to testify, stating, "I think it'd be a great thing to let Puffy tell his truth. Tell the real truth, and bring everybody accountable."

Knight emphasized that while Combs committed "terrible things," these actions were influenced by the environment and industry culture he was exposed to. He added, "I feel that people in [Combs'] life, going on his journey growing up, they failed him."
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The trial is expected to continue with testimony from Eddie Garcia, a former security employee at the InterContinental Hotel, who is anticipated to testify under an immunity order. Prosecutors have indicated that additional witnesses, including forensic video expert Frank Piazza and Combs' former employees Derek Ferguson and Bryana Bongolan, may also be called to testify in the coming days.