Diddy trial bombshell: Cassie Ventura's friend and forensic expert detail abuse and unedited sex tapes in court
A forensic audio and video expert and a close friend of Cassie Ventura delivered explosive testimony Wednesday in the federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. The testimonies provided damning insights into Combs’ alleged abuse, supported by graphic footage and firsthand accounts.
Forensic expert and Cassie Ventura’s friend testify in Diddy sex trafficking trial, revealing violent abuse, surveillance, and unedited sex videos.
Ricky Vigil M/Justin E Palmer/GC Images/Getty Images
Forensic analyst Frank Piazza took the stand to explain his role in the investigation. Hired by the federal government at a rate of $295/hour, Piazza testified that he analyzed cell phone videos, hotel surveillance footage, and ten “sex videos” pulled from a laptop tied to Combs' pseudonym “Frank Black.” He told jurors the video files — including footage of the 2016 Intercontinental Hotel assault on Ventura — were not tampered with. The playback had simply been slowed down for clarity, not manually altered.
Defense attorneys previously suggested potential manipulation of the footage, a claim Piazza firmly denied. “There were no signs of tampering,” he testified, adding that the motion-activated surveillance system explains irregular timestamp updates — a technical detail the defense had tried to challenge.
Later in the day, Bryana Bongolan, Ventura’s longtime friend, emotionally recounted a 2016 incident where she claimed Combs dangled her over a 17-story balcony during a violent outburst. “He threw me onto balcony furniture,” Bongolan testified. “I still have night terrors and paranoia.” She also recalled being threatened by Combs on a beach photo shoot with Ventura, claiming he told her, “I’m the devil and I could kill you.”
The court heard details of rampant drug use between Ventura and Bongolan, including cocaine, Percocet, and “Cocoa Puffs” — marijuana blunts laced with ketamine. While cross-examined, Bongolan admitted to giving Ventura drugs, sometimes for free, and selling them at other times.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Combs has pleaded not guilty to the five-count indictment, which includes charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and assault. His legal team scored a small victory Wednesday when Judge Arun Subramanian finally granted them an extended private session with their client until 6 p.m. to strategize.
The trial resumes Thursday at 11 a.m. as defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland continues her cross-examination of Bongolan.
