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Sean Combs— Case Archive
personpersonDaniel PhillipDaniel PhillipFormer manager of a New York male revue who also worked as a paid male entertainer.← All People
Witness

Daniel Phillip

Former manager of a New York male revue who also worked as a paid male entertainer.

Appeared2025 Federal Trial
658 lines·16 proceedings·6 mentions

About

Daniel Phillip testified over Days 5 and 6 about encounters in which he was sent to meet Casandra Ventura and said Sean Combs was present. He described paid sexual encounters at hotels and residences, said Combs gave directions about sexual activity and baby oil, and testified that he understood Combs's photographing of his driver's license as threatening. Phillip also described incidents in which he said he saw or heard Combs assault Ventura.

On cross-examination, defense counsel questioned Phillip about his work for a male review service, payment, and whether he understood the first hotel encounter as prostitution. Phillip maintained that there was no agreement about sex and that he did not understand what occurred as prostitution. The questioning also tested his observations of Ventura, prior interview materials, and his account of the Essex House incident; Phillip reaffirmed that Combs dragged Ventura by her hair and that Ventura appeared afraid after an argument.

On redirect, Phillip qualified some details of his recollection and explained that a later text message was intended to get Ventura to respond and check whether she was OK. The court struck part of one answer and later overruled a defense motion to strike the redirect answer. During jury deliberations, the jury requested Phillip's testimony concerning the Essex hotel incident with Ventura.

Key Points

Trial Record (16)

Trial 12025 Federal TrialMay 5, 2025 – Jul 2, 2025Called by prosecution

Daniel Phillip testified about encounters with Casandra Ventura while Sean Combs was present, including directions he attributed to Combs and alleged assaults on Ventura. Defense questioning focused on Phillip's observations, prior statements, and his understanding of payment and prostitution.

Day 5

DirectDaniel Phillip — DirectDaniel PhillipMaurene R. Comey2highlights239lines spoken

Summary

Daniel Phillip described paid sexual encounters involving Casandra Ventura and Sean Combs, alleged directions and recording by Combs, and alleged violence against Ventura.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightPhillip testified that he was paid to have sex with Casandra Ventura while Sean Combs was present, and that Combs watched during the first encounter.Open in transcript →
Quote“I understood it to be that he was threatening me.”— Daniel PhillipPhillip described his own understanding of the interaction after Combs photographed his identification.Open in transcript →

Day 6

CrossDaniel Phillip — CrossDaniel PhillipXavier R. Donaldson2highlights159lines spoken

Summary

Daniel Phillip resisted parts of the defense's consent and credibility questioning, reaffirmed an alleged assault, and did not recall prior statements about jealousy.

Highlights (2)

Quote“Grabbed her by her hair and dragged her by her hair into her bedroom, yes.”— Daniel PhillipPhillip reaffirmed his account of the alleged apartment assault during cross-examination.Open in transcript →
testimony highlightPhillip described Ventura as shaking uncontrollably and afraid after an argument at the Essex House.Open in transcript →
RedirectDaniel Phillip — RedirectDaniel PhillipMaurene R. Comey1highlight54lines spoken

Summary

Phillip clarified his account of Combs's alleged directions during sexual activity and gave further testimony about an incident involving Cassie; the court struck part of one answer.

Highlights (1)

Quote“Because she was afraid. I could see that she was afraid. She was really upset. I could see in her face that she was crying a lot.”— Daniel PhillipPhillip described his observations of Cassie after the incident he said he heard.Open in transcript →
RedirectDaniel Phillip — RedirectDaniel PhillipMaurene R. Comey2highlights1line spoken

Summary

Phillip explained his purpose in sending a text message, and the court deferred a Rule 615 dispute over Alex Fine's presence until the jury briefly left.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightDaniel Phillip explained that he sent a text message to prompt a response and check whether Ms. Ventura was OK; the court overruled the defense motion to strike the answer.Open in transcript →
Quote“Because I was trying to get her to respond to my messages. She would not respond to my messages, and the only way that I could see if she was OK was to try to bait her into making her and Mr. Combs believe that I had no problem with what he had done so that they would invite me back so that I could see for myself that she was OK.”— Daniel PhillipPhillip gave his stated reason for sending the text message addressed on redirect.Open in transcript →

Day 7

Day 28

Day 33

Day 36

Day 38

ProceduralJury Request for Testimony Excerpts1highlightMentioned

Summary

The Court resolved disputes over testimony excerpts requested by the jury, including material concerning Ventura, Phillip, and the InterContinental Hotel incident.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (1)

rulingThe Court ruled that Daniel Phillip's disputed testimony about the Essex hotel incident would be included, except for previously struck lines 16 through 18.Open in transcript →