Exotic dancer 'The Punisher' tells court how he discovered Diddy's identity

An exotic dancer known as The Punisher discovered his client's identity unexpectedly. He turned on a hotel television and saw, "Welcome Sean Combs."

Sharay Hayes testified at Sean Combs' sex-trafficking trial. He was hired to create "sexy, erotic scenes" with Combs' then-girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura. A naked man watched from the corner during these encounters.

Mr. Hayes initially did not recognize the man as Mr. Combs. This changed when he saw the name on the hotel's welcome screen.

Mr. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

On Tuesday, Mr. Hayes testified in a New York courtroom about meeting the couple. He was told specifically not to acknowledge Mr. Combs, who wore a veil over his face.

At Trump Tower, Ms. Ventura greeted him in a bathrobe. Inside the room, furniture was covered in sheets with bowls of baby oil on the floor.

Mr. Hayes described eight to twelve encounters with Ms. Ventura while Mr. Combs watched and directed them.

He said Mr. Combs instructed them on adjusting candles and having sex. Sometimes Ms. Ventura would "wince or sigh" at his suggestions.

Other times she looked to Mr. Combs for consent for certain activities.

Mr. Hayes' testimony followed Daniel Phillip's claims that he was also paid to have sex with Ms. Ventura while Mr. Combs watched.

The court also heard from Regina Ventura, Cassie's mother, on Tuesday.

She presented an email from Cassie dated December 23, 2011, as evidence against Mr. Combs.

In it, Cassie wrote that he threatened her and would release explicit tapes of her.

The email stated that Mr. Combs said he would have someone hurt her but wouldn't do it himself.

After showing the email in court, Ms. Ventura identified images of Cassie taken at their family home around that time.

These images showed bruises on Cassie's back and leg.

Ms. Ventura alleged these bruises were from being beaten by Sean Combs.

She also testified that Mr. Combs demanded $20,000 because he was angry about spending money on Cassie.

Ms.Ventura took out a loan with her husband to send this money as directed by Mr.Comb's bookkeeper.

"I was scared for my daughter's safety," she told the court about paying him what he demanded.

The money reappeared in their account four days later without any communication regarding its return.

Earlier on Tuesday, defense attorneys cross-examined a former personal assistant of Mr.Combs and pointed out inconsistencies in his previous statements to authorities.

The trial is expected to last several weeks; if found guilty, Mr.Combs could face life in prison.

Homeland Security special agent Gerard Gannon was the last witness of the day.

He led a raid of Mr.Comb's Miami mansion in March 2024.

Gannon presented items found at the property including semiautomatic AR-15 rifles and lingerie.

The rifles had enhancements like "red dot optics" for precision shooting.

Some firearm serial numbers were cut off two weapons found during the raid.

Gannon noted one magazine had only 19 bullets left out of 30 during this operation.

Testimony will continue Wednesday with Agent Gannon returning to court.

Later this week or next week, rapper Scott Mescudi will testify about dating Cassie in 20