Who Did P. Diddy Allegedly Pay to Keep His Secrets? Inside the Hush Money and NDAs at the Center of His Federal Trial

As music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs stands trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, a recurring theme has emerged in the testimony: the millions of dollars he allegedly spent to keep his secrets hidden. Now, as witness after witness takes the stand, details are emerging about the alleged hush money, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and the inner workings of Diddy’s attempts to keep damaging stories out of the public eye.

Eddie Garcia and the $100,000 Tape

One of the most explosive allegations came from Eddie Garcia, a former security officer at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles. Garcia testified that in 2016, after witnessing Diddy physically assault his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, he was contacted multiple times by Christina Cororm, Diddy’s chief of staff. Garcia described how Cororm visited the hotel in person and pressed him about the security footage of the incident.

Eventually, Garcia recounted, Diddy himself got on the phone, pleading, “Something like this could ruin me.” After negotiations, Garcia and his supervisor agreed to hand over the footage for $50,000. When Garcia arrived at the address he was given, he said he was made to sign an NDA before Diddy counted out $100,000 in cash from a brown paper bag. Garcia testified he split the money with his boss and another security officer. He ultimately testified under immunity, having initially invoked his Fifth Amendment right.

Settlements and Silence: Former Employees Speak Out

💬 Other people who read this also checked out 👀👇

Smiles, Heart Hands & Hugs: P. Diddy’s Behavior in Court Analyzed

Diddy LOSES IT IN COURTROOM After 50 CENT’s NEW Audio Is Shown As Evidence

Diddy CRIES IN COURTROOM After 50 CENT’s NEW Audio Gets Released As Evidence

P. Diddy on Trial: R. Kelly Prosecutor Reveals 5 Ways to Prove Sex Trafficking

Garcia is not the only person to claim they were paid to keep quiet. A former personal assistant, identified only as “Mia” for her protection, told jurors she received a $400,000 settlement after years of alleged physical and sexual abuse by Diddy. Mia also testified that after Cassie Ventura filed her own civil lawsuit, a member of Diddy’s security team tried to bribe her into silence. Mia originally planned to sue for $10 million but settled for $400,000 and signed an NDA.

Another former employee, Capricorn Clark, accused Diddy of kidnapping, threats, and forcing her to take a lie detector test. She testified that she, too, reached a financial settlement, though the exact amount was kept off the record after defense objections.

Cassie’s Friend and the $30,000 NDA

Carrie Morgan, a close friend of Cassie Ventura, told the jury she was paid $30,000 to sign an NDA after Diddy allegedly assaulted her in 2018. Morgan claimed Diddy choked her and struck her with a wooden hanger, causing a concussion. A month later, Cassie met her at a restaurant and handed her $30,000, asking her to sign the agreement on Diddy’s behalf.

Cassie’s $20 Million Settlement

The largest known payout is to Cassie Ventura herself. She testified that Diddy paid her $20 million to settle her civil lawsuit, which accused him of rape and years of violent abuse. Like others, she was required to sign an NDA.

More Lawsuits on the Horizon

Since November 2023, at least 70 civil lawsuits have reportedly been filed against Diddy. The pattern of settlements and NDAs is now a focal point in the prosecution’s argument, suggesting a systematic effort to obstruct justice, tamper with witnesses, and cover up alleged crimes.

Legal Experts Weigh In

Criminal defense attorney William Corman explained that while NDAs may be effective in civil disputes, they hold little weight in criminal trials. “Most NDAs have a carve-out for providing information to law enforcement or testifying in court,” he said. “It’s next to impossible to draft an NDA that would prohibit someone from talking about a crime to law enforcement or in court if subpoenaed.”

Corman also highlighted the legal risks for witnesses like Garcia, who testified under immunity after admitting to criminal wrongdoing. “By downloading that thumb drive and giving it to Diddy’s folks, he’s hiding evidence of a particularly brutal assault,” Corman noted. Immunity protected Garcia from prosecution for anything he admitted during testimony.

The Power Dynamic and Defense Strategy

The defense has tried to cast doubt on the credibility of witnesses who accepted settlements, suggesting their motives are financial. However, prosecutors have worked to contextualize the power imbalance between Diddy and his employees, arguing that NDAs and payouts were not standard business contracts but tools of coercion.

Cash, Secrecy, and the Jury’s Perception

The use of cash—often in paper bags—adds a salacious element that prosecutors say underscores Diddy’s intent to keep his actions secret. “If this was all above board, why didn’t it go through Bad Boy Records or any of Puffy’s business enterprises?” Corman asked. “It’s the conduct that the money is for that’s the problem.”

What’s Next?

With weeks left in the trial, questions remain about whether Diddy will testify and whether more details about his alleged hush money network will come to light. As the government builds its case, the pattern of payouts and NDAs could prove pivotal in convincing the jury that Diddy used his wealth and influence to silence victims and evade accountability.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges and, through his attorneys, denies the claims in the civil lawsuits. But as the secrets he allegedly paid millions to keep hidden are dragged into the open, the outcome of his trial remains uncertain.

Play video: