SEAN “Diddy” Combs’ defense attorney has been accused of humiliating his former assistant on the stand, as more celebrities are name-dropped in the disgraced music executive’s federal trial.

Lead prosecutor Maurene Comey accused Combs’ defense attorney Brian Steel of harassing the government’s witness with his sarcastic questionings.


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Defense attorney Brian Steel questioning Sean Combs’ former assistant during cross-examination on MondayCredit: Reuters


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A sketch image of Sean Combs’ reading a Christmas text message his former assistant wrote to him in 2018Credit: Reuters


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Mia being questioned by prosecutor Madison Smyser during re-direct on MondayCredit: Reuters
The witness, who is being referred to as Mia, underwent a grueling three days of testimony that is slated to wrap up before the end of the day on Monday.

During her hours-long testimony, Mia painted a disturbing picture for jurors about the sleep deprivation and violent environment she allegedly endured while working for Combs, 55.

At times, Mia was overcome by emotions when she confessed on the stand to the three times Combs allegedly sexually assaulted her.

When the jury was out of the room, Comey accused Steel of forcing Mia to undergo a “humiliating” cross-examination, claiming the defense attorney was being sarcastic and insulting her.

“We are crossing the threshold into prejudice and into harassing the witness,” Comey told Judge Arun Subramanian.

“Our concern is if this victim is not protected from further harassment, it will deter other victims in other cases from testifying and telling the truth.”

However, Judge Subramanian disagreed with Comey to an extent, saying he did not think Steel’s questions were inappropriate.

“I have not heard any yelling or heard anything sarcastic,” the judge said.

But the judge did warn defense attorney Steel of being repetitive with his questions.

“Here’s the issue, there are lines of questionings. If you had asked one question and moved on that would be one thing, but you are often repeating the same thing multiple times,” Judge Subramanian told Steel.

“I agree with Ms. Comey where the tone is improper.”

MORE CELEBRITY NAME-DROPPING

More celebrities were dragged into Combs’ sex trafficking trial on Monday during Mia’s cross-examination.

Pop icon Madonna, rappers Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Fabolous, and actor Mike Myers were mention during the proceeding.

Mia testified how after she was fired from Revolt films, Combs’ former TV and entertainment company, in 2018, she was hired as Madonna’s assistant in April 2019.

The witness said she worked for the pop superstar for eight months beginning in April 2019.

Mia said she obtained the job independently and that Combs had no influence in her new employment.

Rappers Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, and Fabolous were name-dropped as artists that Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, collaborated with in the hip-hop and rap scene.

Combs is facing five criminal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.