Hip-hop’s “bad boy” billionaire Sean “Diddy” Combs has drawn comparisons to late sex-trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein, but one man believes there’s a big difference between the two power players.
“Jeffrey was not an open secret,” Lisa Phillips, a model who said Epstein sexually assaulted her on his private island, told Fox News Digital.
“Jeffrey was completely under the table,” she said. “Only a few people knew about sex trafficking. He was very smart – he was much smarter than Sean Combs, much more intelligent.”
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Phillips, now a model scout at Select Models Los Angeles, has a new podcast, “From now.” Their goal in this is to bring awareness to human trafficking. She will also talk to other survivors in the upcoming episodes.
Phillips claimed to Fox News Digital that for years, there had been whispers about Combs’ alleged behavior, which, he said, was well known within the music industry.
Phillips claimed, “When I was a model in the early 2000s, I knew all about Sean Combs abusing women.” “We heard about it, people talked about it… I think he thought he was God above all else. Nothing was going to happen to him.”
Phillips noted that Combs and Epstein ran in “very different circles”. However, the methodology is still the same, he claimed.
“When you have that kind of money, power, charm and influence to work for people… a lot of men don’t abuse it, but predators do… it’s disgusting.”
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According to Phillips, the ongoing case serves as a reminder that human trafficking is an ongoing problem that goes beyond showbiz.
“They take these young girls and pretend like, ‘I’m doing good for you.’ But no, they are sending them to their friends, associates and other powerful people,” she explained. “The victim thinks, ‘Oh wow – I want to meet so-and-so.’ But no, they’re sending you to be abused for the sexual gratification of another person, they’re putting you on a plane or sending you in an Uber – whatever – (but) they’re sending you to someone else. am.”
According to the bombing indictment, Combs, 54, is accused of being the leader of a criminal enterprise. Disgraced media mogul declared himself innocent Charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking in Manhattan federal court.
Combs was not only denied the proposed $50 million bail, but he was remanded to prison immediately after the hearing.
Combs was officially charged with racketeering conspiracy, forced sex trafficking, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison or a maximum of life in prison.
Combs allegedly “delivered a variety of controlled substances to the victims, in order to keep the victims obedient and compliant.” Sometimes unbeknownst to the victims, Combs filmed his victims engaging in sexual acts with commercial sex workers. Keep the video.”
After the “Freak Offs,” Combs and his victims “commonly received IV fluids to recover from physical exertion and drug use,” the documents state.
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Philips claimed Video cameras seen in Epstein’s house, At the time, Phillips said that, like many of Epstein’s alleged victims, she was afraid to speak out. It wasn’t until Epstein’s death that Phillips slowly found the courage to speak out, she said. Phillips said it wasn’t until Epstein’s death that she learned there were so many others like him.
“The mentality is, ‘If I’m going down, you’re all going down with me,'” Phillips said, adding that he believed Epstein had cameras “all around.”
“…I think Jeffrey did it because he had deep, big connections with politicians and very powerful people who were abusing young women. I think Jeffrey did it to protect himself “
Phillips reflected, “When Jeffrey knew he was going to go down, he knew it would protect him.” “He wanted to move away from this… In the Shawn Combs case, people are being held accountable, or at least, we’re shedding some light on who those people are.”
Fox News Digital contacted Combs’ attorney and spokesperson for comment.
In 2019, Epstein was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. It was a case brought more than a decade after he secretly struck a deal with federal prosecutors to settle nearly identical charges.
The 66-year-old hedge fund manager once socialized with some of the most powerful people in the world. However, that year, his life of luxury came to a halt in a concrete and steel cage at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MDC) in New York City. The disgraced financier was placed under psychiatric observation due to a suicide attempt that left bruises and scratches on his neck.
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Epstein was found dead on August 10, 2019.
The Justice Department watchdog said that “a combination of negligence, misconduct and complete job performance failures” by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and staff at the prison enabled Epstein to take his life. They found no evidence of foul play.
Combs is being held at the MDC in Brooklyn.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Combs’ spokesperson said, “Mr. Combs is strong, healthy and focused on his defense. He is committed to fighting this case and has the full support of both his legal team and the truth.” Have confidence.”
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Combs was previously placed on routine suicide watch, but sources told Fox News Digital on Sunday that he “Turn off suicide watch” And family members keep coming and going.
Phillips testified in a 2022 civil case involving Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Epstein, USA Today Informed. According to the outlet, Phillips also filed as Jane Doe under the Adult Survivors Act. Separately, it received a settlement in a case involving JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Epstein’s accusers, the outlet reported.
Today, Phillips hopes her podcast – and story – will shed light on how human trafficking can happen to anyone.
“It’s not just a white van pulling you over, grabbing a 13-year-old girl, throwing her in the car and sending her to Dubai,” he said. “No – there are powerful people who are taking advantage of your aspirations and ambitions.”
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He further said, “There are people who are sending many youths to the same person.” “They are trafficking you. And I’m glad it’s coming out now. We need to understand what’s really going on. A lot of education is needed.”
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Pannon, Larry Fink, Michael Ruiz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.