Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing allegations of sexual assault and physical abuse by ex-girlfriend Cassie.
Cassie (real name: Casandra Ventura) filed a sex trafficking and sexual assault lawsuit against Combs in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. The singer is also suing Combs’ companies Bad Boy Entertainment, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, LLC, as well as Epic Records.
The complaint alleges that Cassie, who began a professional and sexual relationship with the rap mogul when she was 19, was trafficked, raped, and viciously beat by Combs over the course of a decade.
“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,” Cassie said in a statement. “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.”
Cassie met a then-37-year-old Combs in 2005 when she was signed to Bad Boy Records. After being lured into an “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” and a romantic relationship with Combs, Cassie alleges in the lawsuit that Combs “took control” of her life, ranging from her healthcare to her career opportunities and plied her with drugs and alcohol.
“Mr. Combs asserted complete control over Ms. Ventura’s personal and professional life, thereby ensuring her inability to escape his hold,” the filing read. “He provided unprecedented avenues for success for the aspiring artist, but in return, demanded obedience, loyalty, and silence.”
Obedience and silence were also expected of Combs’ staff and employees at Bad Boy Entertainment, Cassie alleges. Although Combs was “prone to uncontrollable rage and frequently beat Ms. Ventura savagely” in the presence of Combs’ team, the singer claims nobody challenged “their frightening and ferocious boss.”
Combs also allegedly forced Cassie into “repeated unwanted sexual encounters” with male prostitutes who he hired and recorded their sexual encounters. Despite her efforts to escape Combs’ abuse, Cassie was repeatedly tracked down by Combs’ “vast network of corporations and affiliated entities” and compelled to return to him, per the singer’s filing.
Cassie accuses Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of rape; music mogul denies allegations
Following a break in their relationship, Cassie joined Combs for a dinner, according to the lawsuit. After the encounter, Cassie alleges Combs forced her into her home and raped her.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, Combs denied Cassie’s “offensive and outrageous” allegations and accused his ex of extortion.
“For the past 6 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,” the statement read. “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’ reputation and seeking a pay day.”
As a result of her tumultuous relationship with Combs, Cassie has had to undergo “intensive medical and psychological care,” the complaint alleges.
“No human should have to endure what Ms. Ventura has endured,” said Cassie’s attorney Douglas Wigdor in a statement. “Her ability and willingness to speak up against the abuse she suffered, and seeking to hold accountable her abuser and those who enabled the abuse, is a testament to her strength and resilience.”
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org).
If you are a victim of domestic violence, The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org) allows you to speak confidentially with trained advocates online or by the phone, which they recommend for those who think their online activity is being monitored by their abuser (800-799-7233). They can help survivors develop a plan to achieve safety for themselves and their children.
Safe Horizon’s hotline (safehorizon.org) offers crisis counseling, safety planning, and assistance finding shelters (800-621-HOPE (4673). It also has a chat feature where you can reach out for help from a computer or phone confidentially.
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