Staffing Links to Sean Combs Revealed After Hiring
Business owners must evaluate the risk of hiring personnel from organizations entangled in active federal litigation.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in People
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Should artists avoid hiring staff members who worked for figures facing serious criminal allegations?
Usher has hired a former personal assistant and a videographer previously employed by Sean Combs, who faces a sex trafficking and racketeering case. Kristina Khorram, a former Chief of Staff at Combs Enterprises, has also reportedly joined Usher's camp.
Why it matters
The transition of staff from organizations under federal scrutiny highlights the vetting risks operators face during high-profile hiring. Companies must determine whether previous associations pose potential reputational or legal liabilities to their ongoing business operations.
Kristina Khorram served as Chief of Staff at Combs Enterprises for over 10 years before her current involvement with The R&B Tour. The personal assistant hired by Usher worked under Sean Combs from December 2021 until the arrest in September 2024.
The players
Usher
An internationally recognized recording artist and live entertainment operator who manages large-scale touring productions.
Sean Combs
The founder of a diversified media and entertainment conglomerate currently facing federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Kristina Khorram
A former executive at Combs Enterprises identified by prosecutors as an alleged co-conspirator in racketeering activities.
The details
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have identified Kristina Khorram as an alleged co-conspirator in a racketeering case, citing her involvement in arranging bribes and procuring drugs. Following the legal fallout, Usher moved to adjust his staff by parting ways with the recently hired personal assistant who received immunity to testify in the federal trial. These staffing shifts underscore the complexity of vetting candidates from organizations currently facing high-stakes legal investigations.
Timeline
Khorram was named Chief of Staff at Combs Enterprises in 2020.
The personal assistant began working for Sean Combs in December 2021.
The personal assistant left the Combs team in September 2024 following an arrest.
A documentary featuring Sean Combs premiered on Netflix in December 2025.
Market Landscape
This staffing shift follows the federal sex trafficking and racketeering case against Sean Combs. The situation marks a departure from standard talent acquisition, as firms now must weigh the legal associations of potential hires against their operational needs.
Operators should review hiring practices to include robust background checks that account for ongoing federal litigation involving a candidate's former employer. Failure to audit these ties can expose a business to unexpected scrutiny and potential reputational damage.
The takeaway
The primary insight is that organizational reputation is inextricably linked to the history of key staff members. Conduct a thorough review of hiring workflows and consult with legal counsel to assess how incoming staff might affect your current risk profile.
Further reading
For more on managing high-profile personnel transitions, visit People.
Live Poll
Should artists avoid hiring staff members who worked for figures facing serious criminal allegations?
