Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the renowned music producer and hip-hop mogul, is facing a federal court lawsuit filed on Thursday by Cassie, an R&B singer formerly signed to his label. Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura and who had a prolonged romantic relationship with Combs, alleges rape and a pattern of physical abuse spanning approximately a decade.
The lawsuit, submitted in the Federal District Court in Manhattan, details that shortly after meeting Combs in 2005 at the age of 19, she experienced a cycle of control and abuse. This included allegations of drug administration, physical assault, and being coerced into engaging in sexual activities with multiple male prostitutes while Combs recorded the encounters. The suit further claims that in 2018, towards the end of their relationship, Combs forcibly entered her residence and raped her.
“After years in silence and darkness,” Ventura wrote in a statement, “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.”
Ben Brafman, an attorney for Combs, said: “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous 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. 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.”
Douglas Wigdor, the lawyer representing Ventura, says discussions had taken place before the lawsuit was filed. According to Wigdor, Combs attempted to silence Ventura by offering a substantial amount, but she rejected his efforts to prevent the filing of the lawsuit.
News by Breaking911
