New testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing federal trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges has revealed troubling details about his behavior during hotel stays, including repeated damage to luxury suites caused by excessive use of baby oil and candle wax.
On Thursday, May 22, Frédéric Zemmour, general manager of the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel, testified that Combs regularly incurred an additional $1,000 cleaning fee per stay. Internal hotel records presented in court described his rooms as “messy” and often “damaged,” noting frequent instances where suites were taken “out of order” due to spilled candle wax and oil-slicked surfaces.
“Please authorize an extra $1,000 when guest stays with us to cover any room damage,” a note on Combs’ guest profile reportedly stated.
One entry from January 10, 2010, detailed significant candle wax deposits found on the carpets, nightstands, and in the living room area of his suite. Hotel staff also reported persistent strong odors coming from Combs’ rooms, requiring air freshener to be sprayed in adjacent hallways. In internal messages, employees noted that the music mogul insisted on his room being kept “HOT!”
These details are part of the prosecution’s broader effort to establish a pattern of abusive and controlling behavior. Federal prosecutors allege Combs orchestrated so-called “freak-off” sex parties involving coercion, lavish spending, and excessive use of lubrication, portraying them as central to the disturbing culture at the heart of the case.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include sex trafficking, racketeering, and related offenses. Authorities have submitted images of baby oil, stacks of cash, and photographs showing visible bruises as evidence.
The court aims to conclude the trial by the Fourth of July, with prosecutors expected to spend six weeks presenting their case.