Sean “Diddy” Combs used drugs every day, according to testimony from his former personal assistant, during federal court proceedings in Manhattan this week. The testimony, given by David James, adds new details to the ongoing sex-trafficking and racketeering case against the music mogul.
James, who worked for Combs between 2007 and 2009, described a pattern of routine drug use that included ecstasy pills shaped like a former US president’s face.
“There were various pills, but one was in the form of a former president’s face,” James told the court.
“Which former president?” asked prosecutor Christy Slavik.
“Obama,” James responded, according to the New York Post.
The former aide’s remarks came as he took the stand following previous testimony from R&B singer Cassie Ventura. Ventura, the prosecution’s key witness, referred to James as Combs’ “trusted assistant” and claimed he helped arrange the notorious, oiled-up “freak-offs”—drug- and sex-fueled encounters that are central to the federal case.
James testified that Combs carried a toiletry bag stocked with 25 to 30 different pill bottles. The contents reportedly included Percocet, ecstasy, Viagra, pills for weight loss and sperm count, as well as common medications like Tylenol and Advil.
“He had water pills to help him lose weight. He had Viagra in there. Some pills to help increase his sperm count. He had ecstasy and Percocet in there as well,” James testified.
When asked how often Combs used the substances, James replied, “I’d say every day.” He said the hip-hop producer would take Percocet during the day and appeared to be high during business meetings.
James also described how he would make hotel arrangements for Combs under the name “Frank Black” and run errands that included stocking hotel rooms and retrieving items from Combs' residence. If Combs was staying in New York, James said he often booked rooms at the Trump International Hotel.
Nearby, James would shop at a Duane Reade convenience store to pick up items like Fiji Water, Ciroc vodka, applesauce, and Jello — staples of Combs’ hotel setup, according to the testimony.
James said the drugs were supplied by a dealer known as “One-Stop.” Combs, 55, has denied all charges. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
