By Jack Queen and Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team sought to portray Casandra Ventura on Thursday as a willing participant in his drug-fueled sex performances known as "Freak Offs,

Freak-offs have become a central part of the government’s case, which charges Mr. Combs with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Mr. Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have strongly denied that any of his sexual encounters with women were not consensual.

NEW YORK - A lawyer for Sean \"Diddy\" Combs challenged the credibility of the hip-hop mogul's ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura at his criminal trial on Thursday by displaying messages in which Ventura said she was ready for another one of Combs' long drug-fueled sex performances known as \"Freak Offs.

Sean “Diddy” Combs will have the support of his family as opening statements in his sex-trafficking trial are set to begin Monday in downtown Manhattan.