Renowned R&B singer Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, has filed a lawsuit accusing music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs of subjecting her to years of physical abuse and rape. The legal action was initiated in a New York federal court on Thursday, revealing disturbing details about their tumultuous relationship.
According to the lawsuit, Combs introduced Cassie to his extravagant, high-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle shortly after she signed with his label at the age of 19 in 2005. Cassie, now 37, claims that the pattern of abuse began early in their relationship, with Combs, 54, allegedly subjecting her to savage beatings involving punches, kicks, and stomping.
The suit further alleges that Combs coerced Cassie into drug use and compelled her to engage in sexual acts with other men while he recorded the encounters. Cassie states that in 2018, as she tried to end the relationship, Combs forced his way into her Los Angeles home and raped her.
I am finally ready to tell my story – Cassie
In a statement, Cassie declared, “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.”
Attorney Ben Brafman, representing Combs, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “lies.” He stated, “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.”
Cassie’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, countered Brafman’s claims, stating that Combs offered her a substantial sum to stay silent, which she refused. Wigdor added, “She rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all women who suffer in silence.”
Combs, a highly influential figure in hip-hop, and Cassie had an on-and-off relationship for more than a decade, starting in 2007. Cassie gained fame with the hit single “Me & U” in 2006, produced by Ryan Leslie. As an actor, she has appeared in various television and film projects.
The lawsuit references a speech Combs gave at the BET Awards in 2022, where he thanked Cassie for “holding me down in the dark times, love.” The suit challenges this narrative, claiming that Cassie was held down by Combs and endured over a decade of his violent behavior.
Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, has left an indelible mark on the hip-hop industry, founding Bad Boy Records, creating the Sean John fashion line, launching the Revolt TV channel, and producing the reality show “Making the Band” for MTV. His fifth studio album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” earned two Grammy nominations this year.
