R&B singer Cassie has filed a lawsuit against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs for allegations of rape, sex trafficking and repeated physical abuse.
The following article contains potentially triggering material relating to sexual assault and violence. If you believe you have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct and are looking for support, consult the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime to find resources in your area.
UPDATE (11/18, 3:50 p.m. ET): Cassie and Diddy have settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. Both parties shared statements about the agreement on Friday (November 17).
Cassie said, "I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support."
Diddy's statement said, "We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love."
The singer born Casandra Ventura was signed to Combs's label, Bad Boy Records, in 2005, when she was 19 and he was 37. According to the lawsuit filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, Ventura alleges that Combs's pattern of control and abuse — including forcing her to have sex with a succession of male prostitutes while he masturbated and filmed the encounters, beating her in fits of "uncontrollable rage," and plying her with drugs like ecstasy and ketamine — began not long after.
In 2012, when Ventura was dating Kid Cudi, Combs allegedly became so infuriated that he said he would blow up the rapper's car. "Around that time, Kid Cudi's car exploded in his driveway," the document reads, which Cudi corroborated. Ventura also claims that in 2018, toward the end of their long relationship, Combs forced his way into her house and raped her.
"After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships," Ventura said in a statement to The New York Times.
"With the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life," she continued, referring to the year-long window has allowed accusers to file civil claims of sexual abuse that would have otherwise been barred by the statute of limitations.
Diddy's lawyer, Ben Brafman, denied the allegations. "For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura's persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail," he said. "Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs's reputation and seeking a payday."
The following article contains potentially triggering material relating to sexual assault and violence. If you believe you have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct and are looking for support, consult the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime to find resources in your area.
UPDATE (11/18, 3:50 p.m. ET): Cassie and Diddy have settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. Both parties shared statements about the agreement on Friday (November 17).
Cassie said, "I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support."
Diddy's statement said, "We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love."
The singer born Casandra Ventura was signed to Combs's label, Bad Boy Records, in 2005, when she was 19 and he was 37. According to the lawsuit filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, Ventura alleges that Combs's pattern of control and abuse — including forcing her to have sex with a succession of male prostitutes while he masturbated and filmed the encounters, beating her in fits of "uncontrollable rage," and plying her with drugs like ecstasy and ketamine — began not long after.
In 2012, when Ventura was dating Kid Cudi, Combs allegedly became so infuriated that he said he would blow up the rapper's car. "Around that time, Kid Cudi's car exploded in his driveway," the document reads, which Cudi corroborated. Ventura also claims that in 2018, toward the end of their long relationship, Combs forced his way into her house and raped her.
"After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships," Ventura said in a statement to The New York Times.
"With the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life," she continued, referring to the year-long window has allowed accusers to file civil claims of sexual abuse that would have otherwise been barred by the statute of limitations.
Diddy's lawyer, Ben Brafman, denied the allegations. "For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura's persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail," he said. "Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs's reputation and seeking a payday."