Witness: Capricorn Clark

Former employee of Bad Boy Records and Sean John Clothing

Capricorn Clark
Christine Cornell

Date(s): May 27, 2025

Witness for: Prosecution

Testimony

Capricorn Clark’s Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial: Day 10 Highlights On May 27, 2025, during Day 10 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan, Capricorn Clark, a former personal assistant and marketing executive for Combs, testified at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York. Clark, the prosecution’s 17th witness, provided a detailed account of her experiences working for Combs from 2004 to 2012, alleging multiple instances of threats, violence, and coercion, including being kidnapped at gunpoint to confront rapper Kid Cudi in 2011 and witnessing Combs’ abuse of Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura. Her testimony aimed to support the prosecution’s claims of Combs’ use of intimidation and violence in a criminal enterprise. Clark began by describing her early days working for Combs, starting in 2004 after previously working for Suge Knight at Death Row Records. She told the jury that on her first day, Combs threatened her life due to her past association with Knight, saying that if anything happened, 'he might have to kill me.' She also recounted an incident where Combs, while at an MTV event, expressed his dislike for rival rapper 50 Cent, stating, 'I like guns,' which Clark took seriously given his demeanor. A significant portion of her testimony focused on an alleged kidnapping in December 2011, after Combs discovered Ventura’s relationship with Kid Cudi. Clark testified that Combs arrived at her apartment early one morning, furious and holding a gun. He demanded she get dressed, saying, 'We’re going to go kill' Kid Cudi, despite her protests. Clark said she feared for her safety, believing she 'would be hurt' if she didn’t comply. She was forced into a Cadillac Escalade with Combs and a bodyguard named Ruben, with Combs keeping a gun in his lap during the drive to Kid Cudi’s Los Angeles home. While Combs and Ruben entered the house, Clark stayed in the car and called Ventura, who was with Kid Cudi at a nearby hotel. Clark warned Ventura, saying, 'Cassie, what the f---?' and later told her, 'Cassie, stop him. He’s going to get himself killed,' referring to Kid Cudi. Clark testified that Combs ordered her to fetch Ventura, threatening, 'If you don’t convince him, I’m going to kill all you m------------,' aiming to prevent Kid Cudi from reporting the break-in to the police. Clark also described an earlier incident in 2004, shortly after starting her job, when she was accused of stealing jewelry on loan to Combs. She testified that a bodyguard took her to a 'dilapidated' building at 1710 Broadway, the then-unfinished headquarters of Bad Boy Entertainment. There, a large man administered lie detector tests over five days, threatening to throw her in the East River if she failed. Clark said she was 'petrified' during the ordeal, and the tests were inconclusive. Combs never addressed the incident afterward, leaving Clark shaken. She further alleged witnessing Combs’ violence toward Ventura in 2011, after learning of her relationship with Kid Cudi. Clark told the jury she saw Combs 'viciously kick' Ventura as punishment, an act that left Clark emotionally distraught on the stand. She also testified that Combs controlled Ventura’s career, requiring approval for her looks, songs, and events, and would withdraw support during their conflicts. Clark noted Ventura’s talent, comparing it unfavorably to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, saying her live performances 'weren’t the greatest,' though she had access to top-tier industry professionals early in her career at Bad Boy Records. Clark broke down in tears multiple times during her testimony, particularly when discussing her firing in 2012, which she believed was due to her knowledge of Ventura’s relationship with Kid Cudi, though Combs claimed it was over a vacation she took. She read emails she sent to Combs in 2014 and 2015, begging for forgiveness, such as one from September 2014 saying, 'Hopefully you’ll forgive me soon. It’s been long enough.' Clark testified that after her termination, she lost all benefits, including health insurance, her 401(k), house, and car, and Combs threatened she’d 'never work again' and would want to 'kill herself.' She claimed she was 'blacklisted' in the industry, unable to find work until 2016, when she returned as Ventura’s creative director. Under redirect, Clark revealed that a settlement after her firing required mutual non-disparagement and a recommendation letter from Combs, which he never provided, further hindering her career. During cross-examination by defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, Clark was questioned about her motives and relationship with Combs. Agnifilo presented a 2021 text where Clark admitted to a past crush on Combs, which she claimed not to recall sending. She insisted their relationship was '1,000%' platonic. Agnifilo challenged her account of the Kid Cudi incident, asking if she told Ventura about the gun, which Clark affirmed, saying, 'I said it very quickly. I said, ‘Puff came to my house with a gun.’' She clarified she called actress Lauren London first for protection, wanting someone to know her location 'in case this all went really bad.' The defense argued Ventura had career opportunities despite Combs’ control, which Clark acknowledged, noting Ventura received significant support from Bad Boy early on.

Compiled from news sources and summarized by Grok.

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