The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continued Tuesday with testimony from his former assistant, David James, who claimed that Combs had drugs shaped like then-President Barack Obama.
James testified that he frequently restocked Combs’ hotel rooms with various items, using his own money before being reimbursed by Bad Boy Entertainment.
A mid-level manager allegedly oversaw expense reports, and James said that purchases such as baby oil or Astroglide were reimbursed in cash, following instructions from Combs’ associate Roger Bonds, who claimed Combs didn’t want those expenses linked to his company.
Once a hotel room was stocked, James would notify Combs via text and usually leave. He stated that Combs never seemed to stay in hotel rooms alone and that he often received texts to resupply while Combs was still occupying a room.
In one instance in 2008 in Miami, James entered a hotel room and found Combs’ then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura asleep with an unidentified naked man while Combs was in the shower. The man quickly left, and James chose not to address the situation.
James also told the court that Combs regularly used drugs, including while conducting business. When asked if Combs used drugs in the studio, James replied, “Of course.” He admitted to buying drugs on two occasions: once in St. Tropez, when he bought cocaine for one of Combs’ friends, and another time when he was sent to purchase ecstasy. James explained that he felt it was part of his role as a personal assistant to fulfill such requests. He added that he personally tried drugs only once, on New Year’s Eve, when he took ecstasy from Combs’ bag at a party.
Later, Combs allegedly confronted James about a video from that party, asking if it was him dancing on the footage. When James confirmed, Combs reportedly said, “I’m going to keep that footage in case I ever need it.” James said he didn’t feel threatened but would have been embarrassed if the footage were released. He also mentioned that Combs’ parties were always recorded by a videographer.
