Online Reporter
NEW YORK.—Exotic dancer Sharay Hayes, widely known as “The Punisher,” says he never had the sense that Sean “Diddy” Combs ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was uncomfortable during their steamy oral sex sessions which were part of the hip hop mogul’s “freak offs.”
Hayes testified on Day seven of Diddy’s trial here on Tuesday.
Diddy is being accused of running a sprawling sex trafficking operation.
The 55-year-old was arrested last September and faces charges including racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. Diddy has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations against him.
He also faces dozens of civil lawsuits from individuals who accuse him of using his power to drug, assault, rape, intimidate and silence people. He has said the individual lawsuits are attempts “for a quick payday”
During cross-examination on Tuesday, Hayes revealed that a book he wrote about erectile dysfunction entitled “In Search of Freezer Meat” mentions his sexual encounters with Diddy and Cassie but does not name them, describing them instead as a “married wealthy couple.”Federal prosecutors argue that Cassie was coerced into the so-called sexual “freak offs” under the threat of violence or reputational harm from Diddy.
During each of the eight to 12 times Hayes claimed he was hired by Diddy and Cassie to “create a sexy scene,” he testified that they went through a “considerable amount” of baby oil. “It was preferred to keep our bodies covered. I guess the look of it, to shine, or whatever,” Hayes told the court.
According to Hayes’ testimony, the rooms in which these encounters took place were dimly lit and included candles.
Sometimes music would play in the background and the furniture was always covered in sheets. Diddy would eventually enter the room, “sit in the distance, give subtle directions to Ms Ventura.”Hayes told the court that he was paid either US$1,200 or US$2,000 for each encounter. Hayes also testified that he has danced semi-nude or clad in a G-string for “hundreds of thousands of ladies” during a 30-year career as an exotic dancer.
Hayes told the court that he began his career as an exotic dancer on Labour Day in 1995 and noted that he has a “big anniversary” coming up.
“You began to have feelings for Cassie, correct?” defence attorney Xavier Donaldson asked. That is incorrect,” Hayes answered.
Instead, he testified, he “felt special” because Cassie had selected him from among the male dancers available for the encounters.
“Most of what I do is more fun,” Hayes testified. I’m not trying to turn anybody on. This was very sexually natured. So, it was different from my exotic dancing performances.”
Hayes testified that part of his job was to understand how his clients felt during his performances. He told the court that he believed Cassie was comfortable with the sexual encounters between them. “I didn’t get any cues there was any discomfort there,” Hayes testified. “Because if you had gotten cues, you wouldn’t have done that, correct?” Donaldson asked.“That is correct,” Hayes responded.
According to Hayes’ testimony, Combs normally kept his distance during the encounters.—Agencies
