A number of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former assistants testified against him during his trial. One former assistant, David James, spoke about his time working for Combs. He alleged that one night with the mogul was so frightening that he realized his life was in danger because of his job.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ assistant said he thought he was in danger 

Combs’ assistant, James, and security guard Damion Butler drove to Mel’s Diner in Los Angeles to pick up food for Combs. When they arrived, they found Suge Knight, Combs’ longtime rival, at the restaurant. Knight recognized Butler. 

While inside, James said he saw four black SUVs pull into the parking lot and a man give Knight a gun. He and Butler immediately left and drove back to Combs’ home. When they arrived and told Combs, he wanted to return to the diner to confront Knight. James testified that on the drive over, he saw Combs sitting with three guns in his lap.

“I was really struck by it,” he said, per People. “I realized for the first time, being Mr. Combs’ assistant, that my life was in danger.”

When they arrived at the restaurant, Knight and his entourage were gone. Combs instructed James to circle the block, but they didn’t see the other group.

Suge Knight reacted to the story

Knight, who is currently in prison on a fatal hit-and-run charge, did not deny that the incident took place. 

“Listen, I’m not going to call a grown man a liar,” he said. “We at Mel’s like we usually be, and if that was the tension of the room, that was the tension of the room.”

Looking back, he said he felt relieved no one was hurt that night.

“So I’m quite sure a lot of things we did and the way we was always ready to perform in those days was like that — but most of all, it was an incredible day for the culture of hip-hop that no one got hurt.”

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs reportedly demanded a great deal from his assistants

Combs’ employees dedicated a great deal of their time to him. One former assistant, Brendan Paul, said he once spent three days in a row awake, relying on Adderall and cocaine to stay on his feet. Exhaustion was an expectation among members of the staff. James said he worked 20 hour days, and once worked 21 days straight.

“Something the security detail would tell us: ‘You know what rhymes with tired?’” James said, per Variety. “And the answer is, ‘fired.’”

One former employee, Philip Pines, said Combs demanded unquestioning devotion from his staff. He once pushed Pines to have a sexual encounter, which he viewed as a test of loyalty.

“I heard about previous employees getting physically assaulted,” he said in The Fall of Diddy, per Rolling Stone. “I saw how angry and upset he could get from the most simplest thing. And I just thought to myself, ‘If I don’t do this, I don’t know what’s gonna happen.’ [I had] a great sense of remorse following that situation, right from the jump.”