Content warning: This article contains allegations of sexual assault.
Cassie Ventura‘s husband of five years is speaking out amid Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ criminal trial.
Alex Fine commended the bravery of the “Me & You” singer after she testified in court as a prosecution witness against Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting someone for prostitution.
Over the last five days, the world has had the opportunity to observe my wife’s courage and resilience as she overcame her past, stated Fine in a declaration made by his attorney, Doug Wigdor, at a New York City courthouse on May 16. There have been discussions online about what it might be like for me to hear my wife’s testimony in court.
The actor went on saying, “Sitting there, I experienced a myriad of emotions. I felt immense pride and deep affection for Cass. I also felt intense fury that she had to endure being in the presence of someone who sought to harm her.
Subsequently, Fine delivered a statement aimed at Combs, whom she had previously accused of compelling her to attend drug-infused sex events called “freak offs” throughout their ten-year liaison, and everyone who supported the rapper in this matter.
The 32-year-old, who’s a father to their two daughters and expecting another boy with Ventura, said, “You didn’t crush her indomitable spirit or extinguish the beacon of joy she radiates in every space. You didn’t shatter the essence of the mother who showers us with tender hugs and makes our little girls giggle. You didn’t dent the character of the woman who has shaped me into a more compassionate man.
Fine made clear that he did not intervene in helping Ventura after her split with Combs in 2018. He further stated, “Implying that I saved her is a disrespectful remark towards the tireless effort and hard work she’s put into saving herself over the years.
He revealed, “She undertook the task of battling demons, a job typically for demons themselves. But all I’ve done was love her, just as she’s loved me.
Expressing that Ventura is now enveloped by affection, merriment, and kinship, Fine made it clear in his statement that they yearn for this harrowing phase to be forever consigned to the past.
He added, “Please respect our privacy as we welcome our son into the world.”
In a court appearance, Ventura testified when she was eight months pregnant with their third child. During this time, she claimed that Combs coerced her into engaging in explicit sexual acts with hired escorts while he observed.
As a trusted authority on modern living, I’d like to shed light on a troubling matter. Recently, it was alleged by Ventura that Sean Combs, the mastermind behind Bad Boy Records, engaged in both physical and sexual abuse. The accusation stated that during their relationship’s decline and after she began dating Fine, Combs forcibly raped her.
Ben Combs has refuted the rape allegations made by Ventura. Previously, when they resolved a 2023 civil lawsuit in which she claimed sexual assault, his lawyer, Ben Brafman, stated to TopMob News that the settlement was not an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing on his part.
For more on the Ventura’s testimony and the criminal case against Diddy, keep reading.
During “freak offs,” it was stated by Cassie Ventura on May 15 that there were no drugs blended into the baby oil that Sean “Diddy” Combs preferred using, as per her testimony.
In October 2024, a legal claim was brought forth accusing Combs of adding GHB (also known as Rohypnol, a substance commonly called a ‘date rape drug’) to the oil.
Speaking as a lifestyle advisor, let me share an insight from my personal observations: I’ve noticed that in social situations, some individuals might experience feelings of unease when their partners engage in activities, such as drug use, with others but not with them. This was something I observed in a certain scenario, where the individual in question, Combs, seemed to react strongly – almost explosively – when I saw instances where this partner, Ventura, was using drugs with friends without his involvement.
In response to Anna Estevao’s question about whether her former partner’s mood swings might be linked to medications, Ventura responded affirmatively, stating that the issue was indeed related.
Earlier in the day, when asked if Combs appeared to be a drug addict, she replied, “I’d describe him as someone who struggled with addiction.
She confirmed that Combs did get agitated or emotional when he was experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
“I’m not a doctor,” Ventura said, but “coming off of certain pills he would be pretty irritated.”
As I took my place in the witness stand on the 15th of May, Judge Arun Subramanian momentarily paused the proceedings, allowing for a brief respite. During this time, Combs’ defense team decided to present some graphic emails and text messages as part of their cross-examination.
When attorney Estevao showed Ventura sexually suggestive communications exchanged by the ex-pair from 2009 to support a claim of mutual consent in their relationship, the defense objected, and the judge agreed with this objection.
After hearing the objection, Ventura could be noticed having a quiet conversation with the judge. Then, the official unexpectedly announced a 10-minute recess.
As a lifestyle expert, I might phrase it as follows:
Before the jury’s arrival in the courtroom, a lively disagreement ensued between the prosecution and defense, with lead defense attorney Marc Agniflio advocating for the presentation of additional texts in court. However, the judge expressed concerns that certain messages may have breached federal evidence rules.
Nevertheless, several pieces of evidence were allowed, containing explicit discussions about their sexual activities between Combs and Ventura.
Despite some objections, certain pieces of evidence were permitted, including descriptions of intimate details regarding the sexual relationships between Combs and Ventura.
On May 15, Ventura admitted that she couldn’t definitively say exactly how many times she and Combs engaged in “unusual events,” but she estimated it to be around hundreds.
She claimed that her former partner secretly recorded their intimate acts with the intention of threatening or extorting her. She stated that he warned her he would expose these recordings, potentially damaging her professional reputation.
Ventura stated, “He often brought them up when he was frustrated, which happened quite frequently. It was a regular occurrence. However, it was always distressing – for my career, for my family, and overall, just mortifying. It’s appalling and vile. No one deserves to be treated that way.
On May 14th, Ventura testified that she received a $20 million settlement from her former boyfriend Combs, following a lawsuit she filed against him in November 2023. The lawsuit claimed that he had sexually assaulted and physically abused her during the course of their relationship.
Testifying about events in 2018, Ventura claimed that after enjoying a dinner with Combs at a restaurant in Malibu and finding him very pleasant, he later went to her apartment where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. She was in a relationship then with Alex Fine, whom she eventually married in 2019.
She testified, “I entered the house, then he barged in and assaulted me brutally on the living room carpet.” She recalled, “All I can remember is sobbing and pleading, but it happened so swiftly. His eyes were cold, not his usual self, as if a dark force had overtaken him, robbing me of my control.
As a trusted voice in lifestyle matters, I’d like to clarify my stance regarding recent allegations against me. While I acknowledge the existence of accusations pertaining to sex crimes, I want to emphasize that I have never knowingly engaged in any form of non-consensual sexual activity. Any sexual encounters mentioned were consensual, as I believe is the case for all parties involved.
Testifying under oath, Ventura stated that she engaged in consensual sexual activity with Combs on another occasion following the alleged assault. When questioned about her decision to have sex with him again, she explained, “I can’t just switch off my feelings like that. I still held a positive image of who he was as an individual.
Toward the close of 2011, Ventura ended her relationship with Scott Mescudi, also known as Kid Cudi. According to her testimony, this split occurred due to threats from Diddy that his car might be destroyed.
Ventura stated to the court that there was an excessive risk, along with uncertainty about potential outcomes, should they continue their meetings. Sean had expressed his intention to cause harm to both parties.
Departures from Ventura were associated with instances of urinary tract infections, mouth ulcers, and digestive problems, as stated on May 14.
During her testimony, Ventura stated that we had multiple instances where we engaged in what we called ‘freak offs’, which were happening one after another. On some occasions, I even had a ‘freak off’ while dealing with an infection. I attempted to clean it out using water. Eventually, the antibiotic CIPRO became ineffective. The situation was chaotic and difficult to manage.
She continued, “It was really painful for a long time. I can’t believe I actually dealt with that.”
In one of the text conversations between Ventura and Combs presented in court, Ventura mentioned having ulcers on her tongue. His response was, “I’m sorry.
On his second day of testimony, Ventura detailed the 2016 hotel incident captured on CCTV cameras and broadcast by CNN in May 2024.
In my professional opinion, I can share an incident where I was involved. A hotel altercation unfolded, and I found myself in a situation where I attempted to depart from the Intercontinental Hotel. After this attempt, I allegedly became the recipient of an upset action – Sean Combs reportedly hurled a vase in my direction. Following this incident, I suffered what I can only describe as a physical assault.
During his testimony on May 14th, Ventura recalled the vase moving toward him. It struck the wall instead of him. He didn’t receive any blows, but he recalls being yelled at by the person. It appears this individual hurled the vase at him, though Ventura can’t recall the exact words used. He likely was not addressing him by his name at that moment.
However, she said that Combs told her “that I wasn’t going to leave him, that I couldn’t.”
Immediately following the hotel incident, Ventura mentioned that she needed to appear at the premiere of her movie “The Perfect Match,” sporting bruises on both her face and body with Combs. To conceal her black eye and swollen lip, she had to apply substantial makeup. Moreover, she stated that she had multiple bruises on her legs, which led her to alter her outfit for the event.
On May 13, the singer declared that Combs allegedly assaulted her in a Los Angeles hotel corridor back in March 2016, due to his anger over her leaving a “tiff” or heated argument, referred to as a “freak off.” (Footage of this incident captured by the hotel’s security cameras was made public by CNN in 2024. The defense attempted unsuccessfully to prevent this video from being used as evidence.)
Ventura explained to the court that he made the decision to depart, after which Sean accompanied him into the corridor, seized him, pushed him down, kicked him, and forced him back into the room, taking his belongings with him.
Instead of participating, she had reservations, as there was a movie premiere scheduled in a few days that she wanted to ensure went well by appeasing Combs. In her words, “If I could win his favor somehow,” Ventura stated, “my premiere event would proceed without a hitch.
After he inflicted a black eye on her, she expressed that at this juncture, all she could focus on was escaping the situation safely. With her much-anticipated debut approaching, she didn’t wish to compromise it in any way. Upon being shoved into the hallway by him, Ventura stated, she opted to stay put because “she didn’t want him to cause any further harm than he had already inflicted.
Testified Ventura, she consumed alcohol and ecstasy during her initial intimate encounter with an escort in the presence of Combs. Moreover, to endure what she referred to as “freak offs,” she would use marijuana, ketamine, mushrooms, or any drug popular at that time.
“I couldn’t imagine myself doing any of that without having some sort of buffer,” she said.
At times, she’d become so overwhelmed that she’d end up physically sick – or as Ventura put it, she’d retch – during these intense confrontations. And yet, Combs would urge me to press on, to keep going despite the distressing situation.
She expressed to Combs that the “freak incidents” left her feeling “awful” and “insignificant,” as Ventura put it, but he seemed to brush off her worries instead.
After an unexpected incident, the hotel room was covered in baby oil, according to Ventura’s testimony. If Combs had asked someone to wet the bed, there might be traces of urine on the linens. Furthermore, if she was on her period at the time, Ventura stated that there could potentially be blood stains not only on the sheets but also on the furniture.
According to Ventura, the experience left her feeling deeply embarrassed. She described it as revolting and overwhelming. She struggled, wishing she could escape the situation, but found herself trapped in an unpleasant predicament.
In Ventura’s words, “It was something that excited him, which led to the occurrence.” When asked by Emily A. Johnson, the prosecutor, why she didn’t resist Combs’ instructions in these instances, she responded, “I believed it was clear that I didn’t want to participate.
On May 13, Ventura stated that Combs instructed her and others involved in the “freak off” activity to apply baby oil onto their bodies.
She stated in court that Sean preferred it to be hot and shiny, so we applied it every five minutes.
At a surprising incident, or “freak-out”, occurring at Montage Beverly Hills, Ventura recounts that Combs requested her to enter a pool brimming with baby oil, all while she was dressed.
Even though she didn’t feel like it, if Sean “wished for it to occur, then that’s exactly what would happen,” she emphasized. “We employed ten standard-sized bottles of baby oil,” she added.
Ventura shared with prosecutors on May 13 that in the initial phase of her ten-year romantic period with Combs, he suggested incorporating voyeurism into their intimate activities. This started when she arranged for an escort and set up a scenario, allowing herself to “perform” for Combs while he watched her with another individual.
Over time, I found myself making a living out of choreographing what Combs labeled as “freak offs” – these extended sexual encounters that ranged from 36 hours to even four whole days. It became my daily grind, my passion, and the very essence of who I was as an obsessed fan.
She remembered, “I arranged for it to happen in our hotel room and everything else, at first Sean made the arrangements.
Ventura said that her “stomach churned” when he first proposed the experience.
She admitted to not initially understanding why it would arouse him, but she took on the task nonetheless. She was uncertain, anxious, yet deeply cared for him and desired his happiness. It wasn’t an action she enjoyed or wished to do frequently, especially given its increased frequency, but her love for him overpowered these feelings.
She admitted, “At some point, I felt I didn’t have much of a choice.”
In a statement, Ventura shared that Combs often displayed aggressive behavior towards her throughout their relationship, which lasted from 2007 to 2018.
She informed the jury that the disagreements between us were indeed heated, often escalating into instances of physical harm such as hitting, pushing, and dragging. He would forcefully strike my head, topple me down, pull me along, and even kick me.
She mentioned that her wounds were frequently noticeable, stating, “I’d regularly have lumps on my forehead, swollen eyes – black and red, markings across my entire body from bruises.
On May 13th, Ventura will testify following Daniel Philip, a male escort. In light of her eighth-month pregnancy, Combs’ defense team has asked that she be seated in the witness stand prior to the jury’s entry, ensuring a comfortable setting for her during the trial.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo stated to the judge, “I believe there’s an unfair bias,” adding, “Pregnancy holds a certain beauty and charm, which can evoke compassion in people.
Ventura joined the case later, with the jury already selected, suggesting that his legal team’s motion had been denied earlier.
On one particular instance when Ventura failed to immediately respond to Combs’ call, Philip testified on May 12th that Combs allegedly hurled a bottle of liquor in her vicinity, then forcefully grabbed her by the hair and pulled her into the bedroom. “She was screaming,” Philip recalled, and from where he was in the next room, it sounded like he was hitting her. According to Philip, Combs reportedly said, “I told you to come here, you come here now, not later.
Phillip said he was “terrified” and did not intervene.
As an over-the-top fan, let me share my account: On another occasion, I chanced upon what seemed like an altercation between Combs and Ventura at the Essex House hotel in New York. The cries of “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” echoed through the corridors, followed by the sound of someone being struck and shoved around a room. Peeking around the corner, I witnessed Mr. Combs exiting the hotel naked, or perhaps draped in a towel, leaving me stunned and concerned for their well-being.
Ventura exited the room and landed on Philip’s lap, as he stated in court. “She seemed to assure me that ‘everything will be fine’ and ‘I’ll manage,'” Philip added. “To which I responded, ‘This is not alright and you should seek help.’
“I tried to explain to her that she was in real danger if she stayed with him,” Phillip said.
In response to a question from prosecutor Maureen Comey, Philip explained that he didn’t contact the police because he viewed Combs as a powerful individual, and there was a possibility that, even if he had reported the situation, he could have still faced harm.
Daniel Philip stated under oath that during the specified period, he was allegedly operating a male strip show. He claimed to have received a substantial sum of money, approximately “a few thousand dollars,” for engaging in intimate acts with Ventura while Diddy (Sean Combs) observed at New York City’s Gramercy Hotel in 2012. Philip identified Combs by his voice despite the fact that he was wearing a robe, a baseball cap, and a bandanna concealing his face.
Ventura compensated him, mentioning that she’d give him a tip upon her departure, as Philip testified to the court. However, things developed further, and they ended up engaging sexually. For a few moments, they both applied baby oil on each other. Meanwhile, Combs was found sitting in a corner, apparently masturbating.
Afterward, the witness continued, Ventura gave him “a couple of thousand more.”
Over the following year, Philip claimed to have been reached numerous times for more experiences similar to those with Ventura and Combs, which took place at various hotels and their homes in New York. He stated that on one or two occasions, Combs videotaped him and Ventura during intimate moments, and at times, Combs would insert himself into these encounters by having sex with Ventura while Philip was present.
In her 2023 lawsuit claiming sexual assault and physical abuse by her former partner, Ventura asserted that Combs compelled her into engaging in sexual activities with male escorts.
According to Florez, Ventura appeared frightened. She huddled in the corner with her hood up and was largely concealed. The floor nearby held the remnants of a shattered flower vase.
After Ventura departed from the hotel, Florez stated that she had a noticeable purple eye. Later, when Ventura was no longer present, Florez and the hotel manager went up to speak with Combs about the “hotel regulations,” according to Florez’s account. As per his statement, Combs suspected that the manager was secretly recording him on his phone and attempted to take it. When Combs tried to seize Florez’s phone, Florez said he restrained Combs against a wall. “We clarified that we weren’t recording him,” Florez testified, “and diffused the situation.
In court, the prosecution presented the slowed-down version of the footage showing the attack, where Combs seems to be punching, kicking, and pulling Ventura—this is the same clip that CNN published in May 2024, which the defense had previously contended was sped up, making the incident appear more violent than it actually was. The jury also watched a video that Florez recorded on his phone when he responded to an emergency call regarding a distressed woman on the sixth floor.
Florez stated that he didn’t contact the police immediately as Ventura refused to answer questions regarding the incident and indicated she only wanted to depart.
In his previous role as a security officer at the InterContinental Hotel, Israel Florez, now serving with the Los Angeles Police Department, witnessed the altercation involving Sean Combs (also known as P. Diddy or Puff Daddy) and Suge Knight’s associate, Terry Ventura, on March 5, 2016. During the trial proceedings, Geragos, representing Ventura, referred to the surveillance footage of the incident, initially released by CNN in May 2024, as “compelling evidence of domestic violence,” emphasizing infidelity found on a cell phone and clarifying that it was not linked to sex trafficking.
On May 12th, Florez stated under oath that he witnessed signs of a dispute on the day in question, and subsequently, Combs allegedly presented him with a pile of cash to ignore the incident.
During questioning, Florez stated unequivocally that he understood Combs’ action as an attempt to bribe him.
During her initial remarks, defense lawyer Teny Geragos asserted that the prosecution aimed to transform a mutually agreed-upon sexual encounter into an instance of sex trafficking. However, she was confident that such an attempt would prove unsuccessful.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man,” she said, “but this is not a complicated case.”
As a loyal supporter speaking here, I’d like to clarify that the matter at hand revolves around the private, personal aspects of Sean Combs’ life, particularly his intimate relationships. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that these matters are entirely separate from his legitimate business ventures.
In her statement to the court, she explained that her client exhibited aggressive behavior, used drugs, and had anger problems. During this trial, it’s important to remember that while he may come off as rude or unkind, he is not on trial for being unpleasant or disrespectful. His charges do not involve those behaviors.
Geragos stated, “The proof will depict an individual with numerous flaws, however, it won’t demonstrate a person involved in racketeering, sex trafficking, or transporting someone for prostitution.
Assistant District Attorney Emily Johnson alleged that Defendant Combs orchestrated an extensive group of workers to perform illicit activities, including multi-day events known as “freak offs,” as reported by NBC News correspondents present in the courtroom, based on the details outlined in the federal indictment.
She informed the jury that on occasion, he would refer to himself as a king and demand treatment befitting one to fulfill all his whims. Moreover, it was alleged that he exploited the women associated with his companies by coercing them into sexual acts in the presence of male escorts. It was also claimed that he and his close associates ensured that all his desires were met at all times.
In my opening statement before the jury, I painted a vivid picture of Combs as an extraordinary figure, leading a criminal empire.
In addressing the jury, I portrayed Combs as a towering presence overseeing an illicit operation.
Both versions convey the same meaning while maintaining a natural and easy-to-read style in the first person as a lifestyle expert might speak.
In reference to an alleged crime, Johnson told the jury that the founder of Bad Boys Record was “pursuing” Ventura one night following the news of her new romantic involvement with someone else. According to Johnson, Combs violently attacked Ventura, kicking her repeatedly in the back and tossing her around carelessly, as if she were a doll.
In my own words, I’d say: “He made a threat against me, stating that if I disobey him once more, he would expose intimate videos of me with male companions, essentially revisiting the most shameful moments of my past.
The prosecutor alleged that Combs’ inner circle covered up “crime after crime.”
The leading Judge Arun Subramanian shared with the jury members his expectation that the ongoing trial might end as early as July 4th. However, he cautioned that it could extend beyond this date, but he is not anticipating such an occurrence.
On the opening day of the rap tycoon’s sex trafficking trial on May 12, his mother, Janice Combs, and six of his oldest children were by his side.
Quincy Brown, Christian “King” Combs, Jessie Combs, D’Lila Combs (Kim Porter’s kids with him), Justin Combs (son of Misa Hylton and him), and Chance Combs (daughter of Sarah Chapman and him) all had the opportunity to give their father a warm embrace before he met with his lawyers.
In the trial, both the prosecution and Chris’ legal team consented to have an equal number of male and female jurors, with eight men and four women serving as main jurors, along with four male and two female alternates.
As a trusted authority on lifestyle and legal matters, I’d like to share an observation from a recent trial. In this case, my personal view is that the defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, has raised a valid concern about potential racial bias in the jury selection process. He argued persuasively that the prosecution appears to be systematically excluding potential Black jurors. This pattern, as he points out, requires a rational explanation from the court. It’s crucial for fairness and justice that all jurors are selected impartially, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Nonetheless, Prosecutor Maurene Ryan Comey refuted the allegations by stating, “We’ve acted impartially throughout, and our jury is multiracial, featuring several non-white members.
Among the twelve jurors residing in New York City or Westchester, there’s a 69-year-old actor and masseur, a 31-year-old investment analyst, a 51-year-old scientist, a 30-year-old deli clerk, a 42-year-old nursing home aide, a 41-year-old communications officer at a correctional facility, a 68-year-old retired banker, another retiree from the telecommunications industry, a 43-year-old physician assistant, a 39-year-old social worker, a 67-year-old logistics analyst, and a 74-year-old treatment coordinator.
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2025-05-17 02:19