On Thursday, November 16, Sean “Diddy” Combs found himself in legal hot water. In a lawsuit filed in a Manhattan federal court, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura reportedly accused the chart-topping producer of rape, physical abuse and sex trafficking over 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,” Ventura stated.
“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.”
Ventura signed to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records in 2005. From there, she rose to prominence with hit singles like “Me & U” and “Long Way 2 Go.” As she entered the public eye, Ventura says Combs introduced her “to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse.” Furthermore, the former Bad Boy Records artist alleges Diddy physically abused her and forced her to have intercourse with male sex workers as he filmed it. Towards the end of their relationship, Ventura says Combs forced his way into her home and raped her.
As news of the lawsuit began to spread, Diddy’s attorney, Ben Brafman, issued a statement. According to Brafman, Combs “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.”
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” Brafman informed the New York Times.
“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.”
