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Victim 3 Not Expected to Testify in Sean Combs' Trial; Operation Benjamin Corrects Grave Markers for Jewish American Troops; French Open is Now, Underway in Paris. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired May 26, 2025 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[10:30:00]

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN ANCHOR: Testimony will resume tomorrow in the federal criminal trial of Sean Diddy Combs. We're now learning that a woman identified as victim number three is not expected to take the stand. She was referenced in the superseding indictment against Combs as part of the racketeering conspiracy count alleging that Combs and his associates wielded power through his business empire to intimidate, threaten, and lure at least three female victims. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges of racketeering and conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Joining me now is former federal prosecutor, Alyse Adamson. Alyse, thank you so much for being with us. First of all, how significant is it that the person we now know is as victim number three is not expected to testify?

ALYSE ADAMSON, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: I think this is a pretty significant event because, as you mentioned, victim number three, also known as Gina, was added in this superseding indictment back in April, and she's also factored heavily in the testimony so far. We heard Cassie Ventura testify about her. We just heard Diddy's assistant testify about her witnessing apples being thrown at her. So, it appears the government added her kind of in the late stages of this case to bolster these racketeering charges.

And so, I think that the government can still prove their case without her, which is why she was absent from the original indictment, but definitely a blow to the prosecution for sure.

MARQUARDT: And last week, Alyse, we heard testimony from Rapper Kid Cudi. How important do you think that is going to be what he said in court to the central allegations in this case?

ADAMSON: Yes, Alex. Kid Cudi's testimony is really key here because prior to the testimony, the prosecution had not really offered any evidence of this corrupt enterprise of other employees kind of working at the direction of Combs to achieve the purpose of this corrupt enterprise to engage in crimes. Cudi's testimony really changed that. He described two events, the break-in at his house, and then the subsequent bombing or firebombing arson of his car.

Now, of course, that is just -- the prosecution was just setting the foundation. They are going to have to offer more proof that Diddy's associates were actually engaged. The defense did a good job on cross bringing out that Cudi doesn't really know who did the arson. Of course, he knows Combs broke into his house. So, I think we can expect the government to offer more witnesses in the coming weeks to further describe what happened during both of those incidents to prove up that RICO?

MARQUARDT: Yes. Really dramatic testimony from Kid Cudi. We've just been showing the photos of his car, that firebombing. Prosecutors are saying that a former employee of Combs, Capricorn Clark, will testify tomorrow. And that after that, witnesses from the LA Police and fire Departments will come. So, what do you expect to learn from that testimony?

ADAMSON: I think Capricorn Clark's testimony is going to do what I just described, kind of bolster Kid Cudi's and start to solidify those links to this Combs enterprise. Because recall in Cudi's testimony, Capricorn Clark was the person that called him to let him know that Combs was in his house on that December 22nd break-in. She was one of the associates of Combs.

So, I think it's going to be very interesting to hear what her role was in that plan. Did she know was there an agreement? Now, all of a sudden, we're reaching those racketeering activities that are necessary for the RICO. With respect to the police department and the fire department, I think they're just going to be trying to get more of that evidence that the break-in actually occurred, that the firebombing occurred. Remember, prosecutors need custodians in there to enter into evidence. Maybe there's other forensics we don't know, but those -- that's the corroborating evidence that we should expect to see in the coming weeks.

MARQUARDT: Alyse, we only have a couple seconds left, but what do you think the prosecution needs to do to prove their case to the jury?

[10:35:00]

ADAMSON: Alex, it's going to take far more than a couple seconds. I think they're going to -- they need more. They need more evidence of this RICO. They're going to have to introduce a lot more that the employees were actually engaged in these criminal activities and they need to do that through a combination of both witness testimony and probably documentary evidence. And I think that's why that HSI agent is currently on the stand, getting those laptops entered into evidence, because I think we can expect to see e-mails and text messages connecting these dots and building out this RICO charge.

MARQUARDT: Well, there's certainly a lot more to say and there's a lot more to come, so we'll be having you back. Alyse Adamson, thank you so much.

ADAMSON: Thank you so much.

MARQUARDT: Just ahead, we'll be bringing you the story of Operation Benjamin that works to replace erroneous grave markers for Jewish American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:40:00]

MARQUARDT: During World War II, some Jewish American soldiers who were killed in action were mistakenly buried beneath Christian crosses. For decades, some of their families didn't even know that they weren't buried under a Star of David. Now, a nonprofit group is working to replace those grave markers. CNN's Dana Bash traveled to Italy for one of those ceremonies.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In this cemetery outside Rome lay more than 7,800 Americans killed in battle liberating Italy during World War II, now buried alongside rows of beautiful Roman pines.

RABBI JACOB J. SCHACTER, PRESIDENT, OPERATION BENJAMIN: Faith in each other --

BASH (voice-over): And on this day, families of three soldiers traveled to Italy from the U.S. to honor their sacrifice.

SCHACTER: Today we are setting the historical record straight. We will give them the marker that is appropriate for their faith.

BASH (voice-over): More than 80 years after they died, correct inadvertent errors. Burial beneath Latin crosses instead of Jewish stars.

SHALOM LAMM, CHIEF HISTORIAN AND CO-FOUNDER, OPERATION BENJAMIN: We're all here in some way to honor those who have rested here for all of these many years under an incorrect identity.

BASH (voice-over): All thanks to the non-profit Operation Benjamin, which works with the American Battle Monuments Commission. Shalom Lamm is chief historian.

BASH: Many of the servicemen who are buried under crosses, even though they're Jewish, it's because they didn't want to show that they were Jewish on their dog tags.

LAMM: Right. There was a real fear of being captured. And if you were captured by the Germans in particular, that was really terrifying. These are not purposeful. These were true errors. America really tried to get it right, but they naturally missed some.

And our job is to come back through all these decades and find those guys. It has happened again and again and again that I introduce people to someone who's just a shadowy figure in their memory. They were real flesh and blood human beings. And we know that story. BASH (voice-over): Stories like that of technician fourth grade Ben Bernstein.

His nieces and nephews finally learned details of their uncle's sacrifice. A member of the elite first special service force killed by a Nazi grenade on December 3, 1943 in the Battle of Monte la Difensa.

BASH: Your name is Ben.

BEN SHERIDAN, NEPHEW OF BEN BERNSTEIN: Correct.

BASH: You are named for your uncle.

SHERIDAN: He was a hero. He was always a hero in everybody's eyes. But we knew so little. We knew he stormed a hill in Italy and died. We knew he was a paratrooper. We knew he volunteered for force. That's about it.

BASH (voice-over): Now, they are here giving their uncle a proper burial.

BASH: This is the gravesite of Second Lieutenant Sheldon Finder, who was shot down and killed on August 16th, 1943 during World War II. As you can see here, he was Jewish and he's laid to rest beneath a Jewish star.

Well, the only other person to die in that very same mission in August of 43 was Paul Singer. He was also the only other Jew in that mission. He's under a cross. That's going to change.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In death, they are 9 feet apart. In life, they were 3 feet apart. One was the navigator. One was the bombardier.

SCHACTER: Paul, on behalf of the members of your family, and on behalf of the Jewish people, we welcome you home.

BASH: Your cousin, Paul Singer, died 82 years ago, and he's been under a cross until today. What did it mean to you to be here and to be a part of the ceremony to honor his Jewish faith?

JODI REFF, COUSIN OF PAUL SINGER: We are very committed Jews. It's so special to have something from your religion that's now and that's connected families.

BASH: He was orphaned at 16. He was an only child.

REFF: Right.

BASH: It's probably why it took so long to have this changed.

REFF: Right, because they were trying to contact these aunts of his, but right, you know, there wasn't any other family. So, it's nice to be able to be here and represent the family to be able to do this.

BASH (voice-over): Sheldon Finder's family feels the same way.

BASH: So, this is your uncle.

JONATHAN FINDER, NEPHEW OF SHELDON FINDER: That's my uncle, Sheldon. I have a great picture of my father and my uncle as children.

BASH: Did your dad talk about him? FINDER: Very little. Very little. I feel like by being here today, I honor his quiet grieving for his entire life.

BASH: Until now, there was never a proper funeral.

[10:45:00]

FINDER: No, as a matter of fact, I don't think anyone in my entire family has ever been here before.

BASH (voice-over): The two families met here in Italy for the first time.

REFF: I knew the name and I knew he was buried here. I didn't know he was buried this close, but then to meet them is really incredible.

RICKY REFF, RELATIVE OF PAUL SINGER: It puts a lot of meaning to this whole experience. That it's not just about one person, it's about all of these individuals.

BASH (voice-over): Headstones in military cemeteries can only be changed with approval from soldiers' families. Shalom Lamm does the research.

LAMM: The amount of proof we're required to deliver it to the American Battle Monuments Commission is really huge. It's really tough and it should be tough. We're changing something for eternity.

BASH (voice-over): The stone from the cross that's removed never leaves the cemetery.

SCHACTER: We lower our heads in gratitude and respect to these silent civil sentinels who have so majestically stood guard over these young men for all of these decades. How magnificent is it that these men here on these grounds were comrades in arms against a common foe? Good on one side and absolute evil on the other.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[10:45:00]

MARQUARDT: CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash joins us now. Dana, such a touching story for this Memorial Day, and you could feel how much that meant to the families. But clearly, there are other families who would like to see this happen as well. Do you have a sense of how many more markers need to be changed? How much more Operation Benjamin wants to do?

BASH (on camera): Well, Shalom Lamm told me that he has done more than 30 so far. His organization, or he's been involved in it for about seven years. And the more they learn, the more word gets out that this is sort of something that happened, again, mostly not entirely during World War II. There are some erroneously buried from World War, the more information that comes to them. because it really is, as I mentioned in the piece or he said in the piece, it's about the research because the -- look, the United States Military, they -- what they do for people who are killed in battle, is nothing short of beautiful.

The way that they -- the burials, the attention to detail, the actual cemetery, I mean, you could see, that was in the middle of Italy, just gorgeous. And so, it really is about getting the information. One of the things that he told me when we were in Italy was that. He is now in touch with the German official. And because the German official now is sort of tuned into the idea that maybe there are traditionally Jewish names that he should look for, he is finding them. He said he found hundreds of them, Americans who are buried in Germany, mostly from World War I, who are under crosses. And so, this is a process that is continuing.

MARQUARDT: And that the Pentagon is helping this outside group?

BASH: Oh, yes. So, it is all outside the Pentagon. It's the American Battle Monuments Commission and Operation Benjamin. But the Pentagon is very much supportive of and involved. In fact, retired General Mark Hertling, who used to be our colleague here, he is the one who came to me with this with this project and with the story because he had worked with Operation Benjamin several times.

MARQUARDT: Well, thank you for bringing us the story, this Memorial Day.

BASH: Thank you. thanks for having me.

MARQUARDT: Dana Bash, thank you so much. And make sure to tune into Inside Politics with Dana Bash in just under two hours at noon Eastern time. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:50:00]

MARQUARDT: The French Open is now underway in Paris. Tennis legend Rafael Nadal receiving a very touching sendoff ceremony in honor of his 14 titles at Roland-Garros. Officials unveiling a plaque of Nadal's footprint that will be a permanent part of that clay court.

From the track to the ice to the clay of the French open CNN's Carolyn Manno has it covered all for us. So, Carolyn, that was a really pretty nice ceremony in Paris.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It was, Alex. So, it was really touching. And it does feel as though the baton has officially been passed after those tears fell on Sunday, it was a very fitting farewell to Rafael Nadal, the 14th-time Roland-Garros champion, as you mentioned. Now, the 22-time Grand Slam winner describing it as just perfect. And you see the standing ovation from a packed house on the Philippe-Chatrier Court, the main court at a tournament where he retired with an incredible record of 112 matches won, just four lost over the course of 20 years since winning his first title there in 2005.

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, all there to pay tribute to the man who will forever be known as the King of Clay. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAFAEL NADAL, 14-TIME FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION: You gave me some hard time on court. Honestly, no, but I really enjoyed a lot pushing myself to the limit every single day to compete with all of you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MANNO: And we know that Memorial Day and Motor Sports have gone hand in hand for many years. So, the 109th edition of the Indy 500 certainly delivered. For the second trait year, Kyle Larson's attempt at the fame double, which is finishing both the Indy 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 came up short. The 2021 NASCAR Cup series Champ crashing out of the 500 on lap 91 also involved in a crash in Charlotte, which ended his day there early. So, when he was asked if he would go for the double for a third time next year, he was non-committal. Said it is very tough.

[10:55:00]

As for who got to drink the milk in Indy, 28-year-old Alex Palou overtaking Marcus Ericsson in a gutsy move coming in to turn one on lap 187 out of 200 to win the Indy 500 for the first time. Also made some history in the process. He's a Barcelona native. He's the first Spaniard to win the greatest spectacle in racing.

And you mentioned history made, Alex. Team USA winning gold at the men's worlds for the first time in 92 years on the ice. United States beating Switzerland, one-nothing, in overtime on Sunday in Stockholm to get the win at the IIHF World Championship. And the victory marking the first major tournament title win for the U.S. men since all the way back in 1996. The goal coming two minutes into overtime, Buffalo Sabres Center, Tage Thompson, the hero seek and risk or (ph) passed for the sudden death winner there and the U.S. men's goalie, Jeremy Swayman of the Bruins also stopping all 25 shots he faced.

And during the trophy presentation, Team USA held up the number 13 jersey of Johnny Gaudreau who represented the U.S. five times at the championship, the former USA and NHL player dying tragically with his brother Matthew last year. So, nice way to honor the family there. Really nice moment. And a good bit of momentum for Team USA as well as they point towards the Winter Olympics early next year, Alex.

MARQUARDT: Yes. You see American hockey players jumping up and down like that, you just think of miracle on ice and do you believe in miracles? Carolyn Manno, thank you so much for all that.

MANNO: Sure.

MARQUARDT: Returning to the track, a crucial question was answered, which American hotdog reign supreme? Yes, it is the Slaw Dog. Representing the Saucy Southeast, taking first place in a come from behind victory in Friday's inaugural Oscar Meyer Wienie 500. The race pitting six wiener mobiles against one another to determine America's top dog. And we'll be right back.

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