The federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs has officially begun, with the music mogul facing serious allegations of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

On May 12, prosecutor Emily Johnson delivered opening statements, telling jurors they would hear evidence of what she described as drug-fueled, days-long sex parties that were allegedly organized by Combs, according to NBC News.

At the center of the case are the so-called “freak offs.” A September 2024 indictment obtained by E! News describes them as “extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers.”

“Freak Offs were elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded,” the indictment states. “Freak Offs occurred regularly, sometimes lasted multiple days, and often involved multiple commercial sex workers.”

Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations against him.

Taking the stand this week, R&B singer Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, testified as the prosecution’s key witness. She detailed physical abuse and sexual violence she says she endured during her relationship with Combs. According to her testimony, Combs exerted control over her and coerced her into what she called “humiliating” sexual acts.

Cassie has testified against her ex, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for SHOWTIME

Ventura said that Combs introduced her to the concept of voyeurism within the first year of their relationship. She testified that it began with her “hiring an escort and setting up” a scenario in which she would “perform” for Combs while he watched.

Over time, Ventura said, setting up what Combs called “freak offs” became her responsibility. These sex performances could last anywhere from 36 hours to four days. “I had the contacts to set it up in the hotel room and all of that,” she testified. “At the beginning Sean set it up.”

She told the court her “stomach churned” when he first brought up the idea. “I didn’t have a concept of how that would be a turn on, but I accepted the responsibility,” Ventura said. “I was confused, nervous, but also loved him very much and wanted to make him happy. It wasn’t something that I wanted to be doing, especially as regularly as it became, but again, I was in love and wanted to make him happy.”

“At some point, I felt I didn’t have much of a choice,” she added.

Ventura, who is currently about eight months pregnant, described the toll these encounters took on her health. She said she often used a combination of drugs to get through the “freak offs.”

Six months prior to his arrest, federal agents raided two of Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami. As reported by The Independent, they allegedly found over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.

This particular details became a huge talking point on social media.

While in the stand, Cassie shared more information regarding Diddy’s alleged fascination with baby oil.Why did Diddy want so much baby oil?

On May 13, Ventura testified that Combs directed participants in the alleged “freak-offs” to apply baby oil to their bodies repeatedly.

“Sean wanted it heated and he wanted it to be glistening,” Ventura told the court. “So we applied every five minutes.”

She described one incident at the Montage Beverly Hills where Combs told her to get into an inflatable pool filled with baby oil while still wearing her clothes.

Ventura said she didn’t want to do it, but added: “If it was something Combs wanted to happen, that’s what was going to happen.”

She testified that they used “10 bottles of baby oil, regular size.”

Referring to Cassie’s 2023 civil lawsuit against Diddy, prosecutor Emily Johnson asked Ventura directly: “Who paid you $20 million?”

“Sean and his companies,” Ventura responded.The $20 million figure refers to the high-profile settlement Ventura reached with Combs in November of that year, just one day after filing a lawsuit accusing him of raping her, physically abusing her, and forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he watched and masturbated.

At the time, Combs “vehemently” denied the “outrageous” allegations. But the lawsuit was swiftly settled the very next day in a then-undisclosed agreement.