NEW YORK (AP) — In a high-profile federal trial that has drawn significant media attention, a former personal assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs has accused the renowned hip-hop mogul of rape and other forms of sexual assault. Testifying under the pseudonym “Mia,” she described how, despite the allegations, she continued to send him affectionate messages for years following her employment, attributing this behavior to a feeling of being 'brainwashed' during her time working under him.

Mia's testimony took place on Monday, marking her third and final day on the witness stand in Combs’ ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, which is currently in its fourth week. The proceedings are unfolding in Manhattan, where the courtroom has seen heated exchanges and extensive scrutiny of both Mia’s and Combs' past interactions.

Defense attorney Brian Steel, representing Combs, has challenged Mia's credibility, suggesting that her allegations may have been fabricated as part of a broader “#MeToo money grab” against the music industry mogul. In response, Mia firmly rejected these insinuations, asserting, “I have never lied in this courtroom and I never will lie in this courtroom. Everything I said is true.”

During her testimony, Steel pressed Mia to read aloud numerous text messages she sent to Combs, including one from 2019 in which she recalled a troubling dream involving R. Kelly, the disgraced singer currently serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking. Steel confronted Mia with questions designed to highlight the contradictions in her narrative, asking, “And the person who sexually assaulted you came to your rescue?” This line of questioning elicited an objection from prosecutors, demonstrating the contentious atmosphere surrounding the trial.

Mia's communications with Combs painted a picture of a conflicted relationship. In an August 29, 2020, message, she reminisced about her eight years working with him, recalling joyful moments such as celebrating with champagne at the Eiffel Tower and turning down an offer from Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. However, she also alluded to feelings of confusion and emotional manipulation, stating, “the highs were really high and the lows were really low,” which contributed to her sense of being 'brainwashed.'

Mia alleges that Combs forcibly kissed her at his 40th birthday party and raped her several months later at his Los Angeles home. She characterized the incidents as “random, sporadic, so oddly spaced out,” leading her to initially believe that the assaults would not occur again. For an extensive period, Mia kept these traumatic experiences to herself, even as other women, including Combs' former girlfriend Cassie, came forward with allegations of abuse against him. Cassie's lawsuit, which was settled for $20 million within hours of being filed in November 2023, ignited further criminal investigations into Combs.

As the second of three key witnesses for the prosecution, Mia’s testimony is pivotal in the case, with the third witness, known by the pseudonym “Jane,” set to testify later this week. Mia expressed her moral obligation to speak out after witnessing the courage of other victims, stating to jurors, “It’s been a long process. I’m untangling things. I’m in therapy.”

Interestingly, Mia also revealed that she felt uncomfortable disclosing her experiences to Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura. Even when she met with prosecutors in January 2024, she chose to remain silent about her own victimization for several months. “Just because you find out something doesn’t mean you immediately snap out of it. I was still deeply ashamed and I wanted to die with this,” she said, highlighting the psychological toll of her experiences.

The defense has insinuated that Mia's decision to speak with prosecutors came only after she sought legal representation, suggesting that she might be laying the groundwork for a lawsuit against Combs. However, Judge Arun Subramanian intervened during the cross-examination, ruling out inquiries that would have linked Mia’s attorney choice to high-profile cases involving E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump.

Prosecutors have expressed concern regarding the defense's treatment of Mia during the trial, warning that Steel’s aggressive questioning could deter future victims from stepping forward in other cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey criticized Steel for his demeanor, arguing that the scrutiny of Mia’s social media posts was excessive and could be perceived as harassment. Judge Subramanian noted that while he had not observed any overt hostility in Steel’s questioning, he urged the attorney to be mindful of the boundaries set for the examination.