Witness: George Kaplan

George Kaplan’s Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial: Day 8 Highlights On May 21, 2025, the eighth day of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan, George Kaplan, a former executive assistant to the music mogul, provided critical testimony that offered a glimpse into Combs’ personal and professional operations. Kaplan’s testimony, delivered under a grant of immunity, detailed his role in facilitating Combs’ lifestyle, including setting up hotel rooms, procuring drugs, and protecting the rapper’s public image. His account, combined with other witnesses’ testimonies, painted a complex picture of Combs’ inner circle and the environment surrounding the allegations of abuse and coercion central to the case. Background and Context George Kaplan, who worked for Combs Enterprises from 2013 to 2015, initially served as an executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer before being promoted to Combs’ personal assistant approximately ten months later. His role required him to travel extensively with Combs, often by private jet, to cities such as New York, Miami, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Orlando. Kaplan’s duties included logistical support, such as arranging hotel accommodations, managing Combs’ belongings, and ensuring his needs were met, from clothing to electronics to substances. His testimony came after a contentious moment in court, as he initially signaled an intent to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. However, prosecutors offered immunity—excluding protection against perjury—allowing Kaplan to testify freely. His testimony began late on May 21 and is set to continue on Thursday, May 22, 2025, with approximately 30 minutes of direct examination remaining, followed by cross-examination by Combs’ defense team. Key Points of Kaplan’s Testimony 1. Hotel Room Setup and Cleanup Kaplan’s testimony focused heavily on his role in preparing and cleaning hotel rooms for Combs, often booked under the pseudonym 'Frank Black,' a reference to the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.’s nickname 'Frank White.' Kaplan described a meticulous process of setting up rooms to Combs’ specifications, which included unpacking bags containing clothes, a speaker, candles, liquor, baby oil, and lubricant. These items were either provided by Combs or his former chief of staff, Kristina 'KK' Khorram, or purchased by Kaplan using a corporate credit card. The presence of baby oil and lubricant in these setups has been a recurring theme in the trial, tied to the prosecution’s allegations of Combs orchestrating drug-fueled 'freak-offs,' described as prolonged sexual orgies involving coerced participants. After Combs’ stays, which could last from 12 hours to several days, Kaplan was tasked with cleaning the rooms to ensure they were left in a 'polished state.' He testified to finding 'lots of empty bottles' of Gatorade and liquor, as well as baby oil 'on the table, on the floor, on the bed.' On one occasion, he observed a 'crystallized powder' on a bathroom sink, which he did not identify but noted as unusual. Kaplan explained that his cleanup duties were not delegated to hotel staff because it was 'implied' that his role included protecting Combs’ public image. He feared that hotel staff might sell compromising photos or videos to tabloids, a concern rooted in Combs’ high-profile status. Kaplan’s testimony underscored the secretive nature of these arrangements, suggesting an effort to conceal potentially damaging activities. 2. Drug Procurement A significant portion of Kaplan’s testimony addressed his involvement in procuring drugs for Combs. He recounted two specific instances—one in Miami and one in Los Angeles—where Combs provided him with cash and a contact number to arrange drug pickups. In one case, Kaplan identified the substance as MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy); in the other, he was unsure of the substance. These incidents align with the prosecution’s narrative that Combs’ enterprise facilitated drug use during the alleged 'freak-offs.' Kaplan’s role in these transactions, though limited to two occasions, highlighted his position as a trusted aide willing to fulfill sensitive requests, albeit under pressure. Kaplan also testified about packing Combs’ 'medicine bag,' which contained various pills, including Advil, Tylenol, and ketamine. He described the task as time-consuming, noting that he was required to arrange toiletries meticulously, ensuring all labels faced forward, a process that could take up to 30 minutes. These details underscored Combs’ exacting standards and the intense demands placed on Kaplan, who worked 80 to 100 hours per week for a starting salary of $125,000. 3. Protecting Combs’ Image and Job Threats Kaplan emphasized that protecting Combs’ public image was a core component of his role. He testified that he understood his cleanup duties as a means to prevent embarrassing leaks, stating, 'Protecting him and protecting his public image was very important, and that was something I was very keen on doing.' This responsibility extended to handling sensitive tasks discreetly, such as drug pickups and room cleanups, which Kaplan performed to maintain Combs’ reputation as a cultural icon. Kaplan also revealed that Combs frequently threatened his job, approximately once a month, using a mix of motivational and angry tones. Combs would tell Kaplan that he only surrounded himself with 'the best' and that underperformers would not last. These threats created a high-pressure environment, reinforcing Kaplan’s compliance with Combs’ demands, including those that potentially crossed legal or ethical lines. 4. Interactions with Combs and His Circle Kaplan described daily communication with Combs via texts, calls, and emails, often multiple times a day, to fulfill requests ranging from food and clothing to drugs and electronics. He worked closely with Combs’ staff, including Khorram, and noted a shift in Combs’ security team in 2015 to a more professional, licensed group with 'real-time training.' This change suggested an effort to formalize Combs’ operations, possibly in response to growing scrutiny. Kaplan’s testimony also corroborated earlier accounts from other witnesses, such as Cassie Ventura, who alleged that Combs exerted significant control over her life. Kaplan’s role in setting up hotel rooms and procuring drugs aligns with Ventura’s descriptions of the 'freak-offs' and the controlled environment she endured. Additionally, Kaplan’s mention of witnessing Ventura’s discomfort, as referenced in prior testimony, supports the prosecution’s claim that employees were aware of abusive dynamics but felt powerless to intervene. Legal and Trial Context Kaplan’s testimony followed that of Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerard Gannon, who detailed the March 2024 raid on Combs’ Miami mansion, where agents found AR-15 components, ammunition, baby oil, and other items linked to the 'freak-offs.' Forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes also testified on May 21, providing expert insight into why victims of abuse, like Ventura, might remain in toxic relationships due to psychological and financial control. Kaplan’s account complemented these narratives, illustrating the operational side of Combs’ alleged enterprise and the culture of control and secrecy within it. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, used Kaplan’s testimony to bolster their case that Combs ran a racketeering enterprise that facilitated sex trafficking through coercion and intimidation. The defense, represented by attorneys like Marc Agnifilo and Jonathan Bach, is expected to cross-examine Kaplan on Thursday to challenge his credibility, potentially highlighting his immunity deal or questioning the context of his actions to portray them as routine assistance rather than criminal facilitation. Implications and Next Steps Kaplan’s testimony is pivotal as it provides an insider’s perspective on Combs’ operations, linking logistical details to the broader allegations of abuse and trafficking. His descriptions of cleaning up hotel rooms and procuring drugs align with the prosecution’s narrative of a carefully orchestrated enterprise. However, the defense may argue that Kaplan’s actions were standard for a high-profile celebrity’s assistant and that the items and activities described do not inherently prove criminal intent. As the trial progresses, Kaplan’s continued testimony on Thursday, followed by that of rapper Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi, who briefly dated Ventura, will likely deepen the narrative around Combs’ alleged jealousy and control. The prosecution plans to call additional witnesses, including a male hotel employee, to further substantiate their case. Kaplan’s immunity-protected testimony, while compelling, will face scrutiny under cross-examination, which could shape how jurors perceive his reliability and the broader allegations against Combs.

Compiled from news sources and summarized by Grok.

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