Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial took a wild turn Tuesday as a former hotel guard dropped bombshell claims about how the music mogul tried to make sure a violent moment from his past never saw the light of day.
Eddy Garcia, who used to work security at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, testified in court about the day he says Diddy scrambled to cover up surveillance footage of him allegedly attacking his then-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, back in March 2016.
Breaking down today’s explosive testimony w/ @jaketapper…
A former hotel security staffer testified that Combs told him the video of him beating Cassie would “ruin” him before handing him $100K with an NDA, showcasing Combs’s frame of mind: He knew his conduct was egregious. pic.twitter.com/VKi2tFuOC5
— Elizabeth Wagmeister (@EWagmeister) June 3, 2025
Garcia initially pleaded the Fifth but later took the stand and gave jurors a detailed look at what went down.
According to Garcia, the calls started the same day of the incident. First, he said Diddy’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, reached out to ask whether the hotel’s security footage could be accessed. Shortly after, he said, Diddy himself got in touch, pleading for help.
Garcia recalled Diddy telling him the video could “ruin his career” and promising, “he would take care” of him if he helped, something Garcia says he understood to mean financially.
The guard also testified that his supervisor, Bill Madrano, came up with a price: $50,000 in exchange for the tape. Diddy allegedly didn’t blink. Garcia quoted him responding, “Let’s do it.”
It wasn’t long before Garcia said they all met up at a high-rise in LA. According to him, Combs showed up smiling, handed over a USB drive, and said:
“Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help.”
Garcia testified that he signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) confirming that the USB drive held the only copy of the video. Once the deal was sealed, he says Diddy handed him a brown paper bag filled with $100,000 in cash.
Garcia admitted on the stand that he didn’t keep the full amount. He split the money with two other hotel employees, giving $50,000 to supervisor Bill Madrano, $20,000 to security guard Henry Elias (who was reportedly present during the original altercation), and keeping $30,000 for himself. He added that he used his cut to buy a used car.
Curious whether the @Diddy double cross was intentional. Paid $100,000 cash for what he was told was the only copy of hotel footage of him yanking & kicking Cassie Ventura. Clearly not the only copy as @CNN @EWagmeister aired it. Did someone stick it to Diddy this time?
— Dish Central by C.J. (@DishCentral) June 3, 2025
Combs, who is facing multiple serious charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution, has pleaded not guilty to all of them.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
