BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 26: Sean Combs is seen on October 26, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
Diddy is in the spotlight after Cassie revealed an alleged history of sexual assault, abuse, and trafficking across state lines at the hands of the producer. The “Official Girl” singer filed the bombshell lawsuit on Thursday (Nov. 16) in New York.
In a statement sent to several news outlets, including CNN and the NY Times, Diddy — real name Sean Combs — denies the allegations via his lawyer. He claims Cassie has been seeking a $30 million payout from him for months.
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” Attorney Ben Brafman wrote. “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.”
Diddy’s lawyer says Cassie has withdrawn “her initial threat” but “resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies.” The statement adds that Cassie is “aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’ reputation” and wants “a payday.”
The Bad Boy Entertainment founder — a company listed as one of several lawsuit defendants — has not reacted online to the matter. Yung Miami, who has publicly affirmed a romantic relationship with Diddy, has also not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Cassie’s lawyer provided a statement to the NY Times confirming that the plaintiff and defendant spoke before she filed the lawsuit. However, Attorney Douglas Wigdor says Diddy was the one who attempted to buy Cassie’s silence.
“Mr. Combs offered Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit,” Wigdor said. “She rejected his efforts.”
Cassie also spoke on her decision to file in a statement to CNN.
“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 reportedly shared. “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.”
For context, New York’s Adult Survivors Act is set to expire on Nov. 23, 2023, as it only provided a “one-year window” for victims to file civil cases against alleged abusers.
Amid Cassie’s lawsuit, TMZ reported on Nov. 16– via law enforcement sources — that Diddy was the subject of a “secret NYPD” investigation. However, the NYPD issued an update on Nov. 17, saying that information was “erroneous” and that there was “no such investigation at present.”
Cassie’s lawsuit boasts a trigger warning about the “highly graphic” nature of the alleged events. Such incidents include rape, coerced sexual encounters with male sex workers, and severe physical abuse.
Editor’s Note: Anyone affected by sexual assault, whether it happened to you or someone you care about, can find support from online.rainn.org. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with someone over the phone who can help.
Cassie details a business partnership that began in 2005-2006 and quickly spiraled into a “cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking.” When they met, the singer was 19 and Diddy was 37. Before the alleged abuse began, the “Me & U” singer alleges Diddy used multiple means to flex his celebrity status, influence, and party lifestyle.
Things took a physical turn when Diddy allegedly forcibly kissed Cassie at her 21st birthday party after pulling her inside a bathroom. Weeks later, he had sexual intercourse with her after providing her with “copious amounts of drugs” during a Miami trip.
In the years after, Cassie alleges Diddy raped her after she tried to leave him, forced her to arrange and perform sexual acts with male sex workers while he watched and recorded, and “punched, beat, kicked and stomped on” her on several occasions. His beatings often resulted in “bruises, burst lips, black eyes and bleeding.” She describes the hip hop mogul as “a vicious, cruel, and controlling man.”
Cassie also alleges she tried to leave the relationship multiple times but was always found and coerced to return by people within Diddy’s network, including his legal team and label execs.
The mother of two said in her lawsuit she can no longer remain silent on the matter.
“Mr. Combs remains immensely powerful and immensely dangerous. Ms. Ventura therefore 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,” the lawsuit states.
She’s seeking “injunctive, declaratory and monetary relief” from Diddy and affiliated defendants.
After the lawsuit news broke, Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, reposted a photo of them to his Instagram Story, adding a red heart.
Former Bad Boy Records — a defendant in Cassie’s lawsuit — artists have also spoken in support of Casandra. Aubrey O’Day and Dawn Richard of Dainty Kane shared messages on Instagram and X.
“Been tryna tell y’all for years. Prayers up for this queen @Cassie,” Aubrey wrote on her IG Story.
“Praying for Cassie and her family, for peace and healing. You are beautiful and brave,” Dawn wrote on X.
