Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of sex trafficking, rape of singer Cassie
R&B vocalist, professionally known as Cassie, has filed a federal lawsuit against hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, accusing him of a decade-long pattern of abuse, including physical violence, sexual slavery, and rape.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, paints a harrowing picture of their professional and romantic relationship.
Ventura alleges that Combs, whom she dated and signed with under his music label, subjected her to serial physical abuse, forced her into engaging in sex acts with male prostitutes, and raped her in 2018 when she expressed the desire to end their relationship. The lawsuit further claims that Combs maintained control over Ventura through intimidation, drug and alcohol abuse, and violent behavior.
Combs, through his lawyer Ben Brafman, vehemently denies these allegations, stating that Ventura resorted to filing a lawsuit filled with “baseless and outrageous lies” after a failed attempt to extort $30 million from him by threatening to write a damaging book about their relationship.
The lawsuit portrays Combs as an erratic and controlling individual with violent tendencies. Allegations include forcing Ventura to carry his handgun, endangering a friend of hers by dangling them over a hotel balcony, and destroying rapper Kid Cudi’s car after learning of his interest in Ventura.
The legal action does not specify a monetary amount but emphasizes Ventura’s pursuit of “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.” The lawsuit cites violations of sex trafficking and human trafficking statutes under federal, New York, and California laws.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records and a highly influential figure in the hip-hop industry, joins the list of high-profile music figures facing accusations of sexual misconduct in recent lawsuits, alongside Steven Tyler, L.A. Reid, and Neil Portnow.
