LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Singer and actress Cassandra Ventura, popularly known by her stage name Cassie, has filed an explosive lawsuit against her former boyfriend and music mogul, rapper Diddy.
Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, is also known as Puff Daddy. In a lawsuit filed in the Federal District Court in Manhattan on Thursday, November 16, Ventura accused Combs of rape, physical abuse, and shocking 'freak offs'.
Ventura, who was in a decade-long relationship with the founder of Big Boy Records, came up with a series of accusations against Combs.
She wrote in a statement, “After years in silence and darkness,” before adding, “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,” as per The New York Times.
Full list of allegations against Sean Combs
Ventura stated in the lawsuit that soon after meeting Diddy in 2005, she signed a 10-year deal with his Bad Boy Records. The company released her debut album in 2006.
A few years after meeting with Combs, the duo started a romantic relationship.
While no specified amount of monetary damage is mentioned in the suit, Ventura seeks "justice for the decade of her life that Mr. Combs took away from her with threats of violence, excessive use of drugs, physical and psychological abuse and sexual slavery," per Reuters.
Cassie Ventura accused Sean Combs of controlling her life
The 37-year-old songstress stated in the lawsuit that Combs started asserting control over her life following her association with the record company.
He not only controlled her career but also her lifestyle, including paying for her apparel, car, and housing.
Ventura also stated in the lawsuit that Combs had access to her medical records too. She cited an instance when she had an MRI scan for memory loss - which she purportedly suffered due to a drug administered to her by Combs or a beating she received from him. She alleged that the MRI report went directly to Combs.
Ventura was also made to carry Combs's handgun for him in her purse. He also dangled a friend of hers from the 17th-floor balcony of a hotel room.
Cassie Ventura accused Sean Combs of providing ‘copious amounts of drugs’
The ‘Official Girl’ singer accused Combs in her lawsuit that he supplied her with “copious amounts of drugs” and urged her to drugs like ecstasy and ketamine.
Sean Combs allegedly beat Cassie Ventura ‘multiple times each year’
The lawsuit states that during her association with Combs, Ventura used to receive beating “multiple times each year.” However, she could not report it to the police fearing it “would merely give Mr. Combs another excuse to hurt her.”
The suit cites a 2009 incident where Combs gave her a violent thrashing after seeing her talking to another talent agent. He then reportedly pushed her into a car and kicked her in the face.
Combs then took her to a hotel to heal and did not allow her to go and visit her parents.
The suit stated, “Ms. Ventura felt that saying ‘no’ to Mr. Combs would cost her something — her family, her friends, her career, or even her life.”
Though he tried to sever her association with Combs, his employees would bring her back.
The ‘Paradise’ songstress also stated in the suit that in 2012 Combs became furious after learning she was dating rapper Kid Cudi and threatened to have his car blow off.
The suit states, “Around that time, … Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.” The claim was even confirmed by Cudi’s spokesperson.
Sean Combs is accused of ‘voyeurism’ and ‘freak offs’
Ventura accused Combs of coercing her into having sexual relationships with male prostitutes which he watched.
Ventura stated that she was coerced “to engage in a fantasy of his called ‘voyeurism,’” where she had to engage in sexual acts with male escorts whom she had to procure after searching websites.
These elaborate encounters were termed “freak offs,” and included costumes like masquerade masks and lingerie.
Cassie Ventura accused Sean Combs of sexual trafficking
Combs was said to have given Ventura drugs in those liaisons. Moreover, the suit alleges that Combs used to record those encounters and made her watch them multiple times.
Since the sexual encounters took place in multiple cities, the ‘Is It You’ singer was subjected to sexual trafficking. She also accused Combs of sexual battery, sexual assault, and violations of New York City’s gender-motivated violence law.
Sean Combs is accused of rape by Cassie Ventura
Ventura accused Combs of raping her towards the end of their relationship. In 2018, after Ventura and Combs met for dinner, he went into her apartment by force.
There, Combs raped her despite her repeated pleas. The suit said that he forced himself on her even though she “repeatedly said ‘no’ and tried to push him away.”
Though Ventura tried to leave him before, after this incident, she finally broke up.
What did Sean Comb’s lawyer say?
Diddy’s lawyer Ben Brafman issued a statement declining all the accusations made by Ventura in the lawsuit.
The response stated, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.”
He shares, “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.”
Brafman continued, “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.”
