Introduction to the Case
A former personal assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs who says he raped her testified Monday that she continued sending him loving text messages for years after her job ended in 2017 because she was “brainwashed.”
The woman, testifying for a third day under the pseudonym “Mia” at the music mogul’s federal sex trafficking trial, used the word as defense attorney Brian Steel confronted her with skepticism and even suggested she fabricated her claims.
Background on the Trial
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering charges. His lawyers concede he could be violent, but he denies using threats or his powerful position in the music industry to commit abuse.
Cross-Examination
Steel had Mia read aloud for the jury numerous loving text messages she sent to Combs, including one in 2019 in which she said she had a nightmare that she was trapped in an elevator with the singer R. Kelly and Combs rescued her.
“And the person who sexually assaulted you came to your rescue?” Steel asked incredulously. He rephrased, asking if she really dreamed of being saved by a man “who terrorized you and caused you PTSD?” Prosecutors objected and the judge sustained it.
It was one of many objections during a combative cross-examination of Mia at the trial, now in its fourth week, during which several government witnesses have been treated more gently by defense lawyers and have even spoken positively of Combs.
Testimony and Defense
In an Aug. 29, 2020, message to Combs, Mia recalled happy highlights from her eight years working for him — such as drinking champagne at the Eiffel Tower at 4 a.m. and rejecting Mick Jagger’s offer to take her home — saying she remembered only “the good times.”
In the same message, Mia mentioned once feeling “bamboozled” by a woman. Steel asked why she didn’t say Combs had bamboozled her as well, given her accusations.
“Because I was still brainwashed,” Mia answered.
Asked to explain, Mia said that in an environment where “the highs were really high and the lows were really low," she developed “huge confusion in trusting my instincts.”
Response to Allegations
When Steel suggested her assault claims were made up, Mia responded: “I have never lied in this courtroom and I never will lie in this courtroom. Everything I said is true.”
She said she felt a moral obligation to speak out after others came forward with allegations against Combs.
“It’s been a long process. I’m untangling things. I’m in therapy,” Mia said.
Mia remained composed days after testifying Combs forcibly kissed her and molested her at his 40th birthday party soon after she started working for him in 2009, and months later raped her in a guest room at his Los Angeles home.
Prosecution’s Criticism
Prosecutors criticized Steel’s two-day cross-examination, which has relied heavily on Mia’s social media history.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Comey accused him of yelling at and humiliating the witness, and argued that picking apart years of her social media posts — including birthday greetings and praise for Combs’s business successes — was excessive and largely irrelevant.
“We are crossing the threshold into prejudice and harassing this witness,” Comey told the judge during a break, while jurors were out of the courtroom.
She warned that Steel’s approach during the high-profile trial could deter victims from testifying in other cases in the future.
Judge’s Response
Judge Arun Subramanian said: “I have not heard any yelling from Mr. Steel and I have not heard anything that was sarcastic in the questions.” Still, he cautioned Steel about overusing questions about Mia’s social media posts praising Combs.
Conclusion
The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs continues, with Mia’s testimony highlighting the complexities of the case. The defense’s strategy of questioning Mia’s social media posts has raised concerns about the treatment of victims in high-profile trials. As the trial progresses, it remains to be seen how the jury will weigh the evidence and testimony presented.
FAQs
Q: What are the charges against Sean "Diddy" Combs?
A: Combs is charged with sex trafficking and racketeering.
Q: Who is the witness testifying against Combs?
A: A former personal assistant to Combs, testifying under the pseudonym "Mia".
Q: What is the defense’s strategy in the trial?
A: The defense is questioning Mia’s social media posts and suggesting that she fabricated her claims.
Q: How has the prosecution responded to the defense’s strategy?
A: The prosecution has criticized the defense’s approach, arguing that it is excessive and harassing the witness.
