Witness: Eddie Garcia

Eddie Garcia’s Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial: Day 15 Highlights On June 3, 2025, during Day 15 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan, Eddy Garcia, a former security supervisor at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, testified at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York. Garcia, the prosecution’s 23rd witness, provided a detailed account of his involvement in the aftermath of a 2016 incident captured on hotel surveillance footage, showing Combs assaulting Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura. His testimony focused on Combs’ alleged payment of $100,000 in a brown paper bag to obtain the video, aiming to support the prosecution’s claims of racketeering conspiracy through bribery and obstruction of justice. Garcia began his testimony by describing his role at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, where he worked as a security supervisor in 2016, earning $10.50 an hour at age 24. He told the jury that on March 5, 2016, he arrived for his shift and was informed of a domestic dispute. His colleagues showed him surveillance footage of Combs, wearing only a towel, punching, kicking, and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway near the elevator bank. Garcia testified that he initially did not recognize Combs or Ventura in the video but was later informed of their identities. He noted that law enforcement was not contacted at the time, as Ventura did not request police or medical attention. He then recounted interactions with Combs’ chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, who contacted the hotel security desk shortly after the incident. Garcia testified that Khorram called, asking if there was any way to see or obtain the video, stating that Combs had been intoxicated and didn’t remember the events. Garcia informed her that she would need a subpoena or to contact hotel management, saying, 'Off the record, it’s bad.' Later that evening, Khorram called again and put Combs on the phone. Garcia described Combs as sounding nervous, speaking quickly with a stutter, and saying he had too much to drink. Combs asked for the video, warning that its release could ruin his career. Garcia told Combs he lacked access to the server room where the original footage was stored. Garcia testified that Combs offered to 'take care of' him, which he interpreted as a financial incentive. He relayed this to his supervisor, Bill Medrano, who agreed to provide the footage for $50,000. Medrano retrieved the video from the server room, handed Garcia a black USB drive, and confirmed it was the only copy. On March 7, 2016, Garcia met Combs at a high-rise building in Los Angeles to deliver the USB. He described being nervous, with his voice cracking, and noted that Combs offered him tea to calm him down. Combs appeared excited, saying, 'Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help. I knew you could do it.' Garcia testified that Combs wanted assurance that no other copies existed, including on the cloud, and even called Ventura on FaceTime, instructing her to tell Garcia she also wanted the video 'to go away.' Ventura mentioned an upcoming movie release, suggesting the timing was poor for the video to surface. Garcia further testified that Combs had him sign two documents, including a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with a $1 million penalty for breach, which Garcia admitted he did not read carefully. After signing, Combs left the room and returned with a brown paper bag and a money-counting machine. Garcia said Combs counted $100,000 in cash, advising him not to make big purchases. Garcia split the money, giving $50,000 to Medrano, $20,000 to another guard involved, and keeping $30,000, which he used to buy a used vehicle without depositing the funds or reporting them on taxes. He also described his initial dishonesty with law enforcement when the video resurfaced in 2024, published by CNN. Garcia testified that he wasn’t truthful at first but later, after hiring his own attorney and meeting with the government, provided a full account. He confirmed testifying under an immunity order, protecting him from prosecution as long as he was truthful. On cross-examination by defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, Garcia admitted he initially lied to investigators but stood by his current testimony. The defense highlighted that Combs’ payment was intended to avoid negative press, not necessarily to obstruct justice, though Garcia maintained Combs’ concern was the video’s potential to ruin his career. On redirect, prosecutor Christy Slavik asked Garcia about Combs’ demeanor during their interactions. Garcia reiterated Combs’ nervousness and excitement, reinforcing the prosecution’s narrative of Combs’ awareness of guilt. Garcia’s testimony concluded after the redirect, providing a critical piece of evidence for the prosecution’s case regarding Combs’ alleged efforts to cover up the assault.

Compiled from news sources and summarized by Grok.

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