Diddy

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Warning: This story contains allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Cassie Ventura is sharing details of her and ex Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ lawsuit settlement.

During his federal sex trafficking trial on May 14, the artist known as “Me & You” disclosed that they had settled for approximately $20 million outside of court, following her accusations of physical and sexual abuse made against him in a 2023 civil lawsuit, according to NBC News.

As per Ventura, the agreement took place during a period where she was preparing to pen a book chronicling her experiences with Combs, as part of her therapeutic approach to dealing with past traumas. She mentioned that her legal representative initially contacted Combs’ legal team to discuss the possibility of compensating her $30 million for her account of their relationship.

In her testimony before the jury, Ventura, who is currently married to Alex Fine and expecting their third child after eight months, expressed her desire to receive compensation for both the time and the discomfort she has experienced.

In her court appearance, Ventura additionally recounted the purported sexual assault that formed the basis of her legal action against Combs. According to her, this event transpired in 2018, a time when they were concluding their longstanding romance that spanned over a decade.

She shared that we had a heart-to-heart talk and then dined at a restaurant in Malibu. He was charming, full of fun, laughter, and had a hint of romance. The evening concluded with him dropping me off at my place.

Ventura said the mood shifted once she went inside her apartment.

She claimed that he suddenly entered, violating her brutally on the living room carpet. I recall sobbing and protesting. The incident happened swiftly. His gaze seemed cold and unfamiliar, as if he had lost control.

In response to rape allegations made by Ventura, Combs (who has pleaded not guilty to charges involving sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution) has denied the accusation. It’s important to note that when Combs settled the lawsuit with Ventura in 2023, his attorney Ben Brafman stated it was “in no way an admission of wrongdoing.

In my enthusiastic fandom, I’d rephrase it as: “Back then, Mr. Combs made it clear that his decision to settle the lawsuit in no way implies an acceptance of the allegations against him. Instead, he found relief in reaching a mutual agreement with Ms. Ventura and wishes her nothing but the best moving forward.

For more details from inside the courtroom of Combs’ federal trial, keep reading.

Cassie Ventura declared on May 14th that she received a $20 million settlement from her former boyfriend, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, following legal action initiated in November 2023. The lawsuit accused him of sexual assault and physical abuse throughout their relationship.

Testified Ventura, following a pleasant dinner outing at a Malibu eatery with Combs in 2018, he displayed kindness throughout but then allegedly sexually assaulted her afterwards when they returned to her apartment. She stated that she was already in a committed relationship with Alex Fine, whom she later married in 2019.

She testified that I went indoors, then he entered and violently assaulted me on our living room floor. All I can recall is weeping and protesting, but it happened so quickly. His eyes appeared dark, he seemed altered, as if a part of him was being overtaken, like someone stealing something from you.

In adherence to my principles, I’ve always upheld that I never partook in any form of non-consensual intimacy. Those who allege sexual misconduct against me, I believe, willingly engaged in any sexual activities that transpired between us.

Ventura stated that she had consensual sexual encounters with Combs on another occasion following the alleged attack. When questioned about her decision to engage in sex with Combs again, she explained, “You can’t simply switch off feelings like that. I still held a positive image of who he was as an individual.

At the tail-end of 2011, Ventura decided to part ways with Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, due to a threat from Combs that his vehicle might be destroyed. This is according to her testimony.

Ventura stated in court, “There’s too much risk and unknown outcomes if we kept meeting, and Sean threatened that he would harm us.

Departures from Ventura resulted in cases of urinary tract infections, mouth ulcers, and gastrointestinal problems, as stated during the testimony on May 14.

During her testimony, Ventura stated that there were numerous instances when we would engage in what she referred to as ‘freak offs’. These events were happening one after another, and at times I even had a ‘freak off’ with an infection. I attempted to clear it up by rinsing it with water. Unfortunately, the antibiotic CIPRO was no longer effective. It became a chaotic situation.

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 informed him about ulcers on her tongue. His response was an expression of apologies.

On the second day of her testimony, Cassie Ventura described the 2016 hotel incident that was later broadcast by CNN in May 2024, as captured on security cameras.

She stated that Sean “Diddy” Combs hurled a vase at her following his attempt to depart from the Intercontinental Hotel prematurely, which also involved him physically attacking her.

Ventura stated that he clearly recalled the vase moving towards him during his court appearance on May 14. It collided with the wall instead of hitting him. He was shouting at me, though I don’t specifically recall his choice of words. I believe he must have been using something other than my name to address me.

However, she said that Combs told her “that I wasn’t going to leave him, that I couldn’t.”

Following the unfortunate hotel incident, I found myself walking the red carpet for the premiere of my film “The Perfect Match” sporting bruises across my face and body, alongside Mr. Combs. To camouflage my black eye and swollen lip, I had to apply a thick layer of makeup. Moreover, I had several bruises on my legs, which led me to adjust my outfit for the event.

Cassie Ventura declared on May 13 that Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulted her in the corridor of a Los Angeles hotel back in March 2016, as he was enraged because she had left their altercation, which apparently started after a disagreement. (Footage of this incident obtained from hotel surveillance cameras was made public by CNN in 2024. The defense attempted unsuccessfully to prevent the video from being used as evidence.)

In response to the court, Ventura explained, “I decided it was best for me to depart. As I exited, Sean trailed behind, seizing me in the hallway, pushing me down, kicking me, and dragging me back into the room, where he also collected my belongings.

She initially didn’t want to join in, but she had a film premiere coming up within a few days, and she wanted to keep Combs happy. So, she stated, “If I could make him happy by doing something unusual,” Ventura said, “then my event would proceed without any hitches.

In the unfortunate circumstances I found myself in, all I could focus on was escaping that situation safely. With an important event ahead of me, I didn’t want anything to jeopardize its success. When he shoved me to the ground in the hallway, I chose to remain there because I didn’t wish for him to inflict any further harm upon me.

Testified Ventura that she consumed alcohol and used ecstasy during her first sexual encounter with an escort in Combs’ presence. She also admitted to using marijuana, ketamine, magic mushrooms, or any other popular drug at the time, in order to endure “freak offs.

“I couldn’t imagine myself doing any of that without having some sort of buffer,” she said.

At times, she would “really retch” during an intense argument, Ventura mentioned, and Combs “often urged me to stand up and carry on despite it.

She expressed to Combs that the hurtful comments made her feel extremely bad about herself, even worthless, as Ventura explained. However, he seemed to disregard her worries rather nonchalantly.

Following an utterly wild incident, I found myself in a hotel room that appeared to have been drenched in baby oil, according to Ventura’s testimony. If Combs had given orders for someone to soil the bed, there might be traces of urine staining the sheets. Moreover, if I happened to be on my period during this chaos, there could have been bloodstains 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 had trouble coping, didn’t want to be in that situation, and found herself trapped without an easy escape.

In response to the situation, Ventura stated, “It was something that excited him, which led to it taking place.” When Emily A. Johnson, the prosecutor, asked her why she didn’t resist Combs’ instructions in these instances, she simply put, “I believed it was clear that I didn’t wish to participate.

On May 13, Ventura stated that Combs instructed her and the other “freak off” participants to apply baby oil onto their bodies.

In court, she stated, “Sean requested that it be both warm and shiny, so we did the application every five minutes.

At a surprising incident occurring at the Montage Beverly Hills, Ventura recounted that Combs requested her to enter an inflatable pool brimming with baby oil, all while she was dressed.

She didn’t feel like it, but if it was something he really desired, then that was what would occur, she emphasized. “We employed a total of ten standard-sized bottles of baby oil,” she added.

In the course of my lengthy relationship with Combs, spanning a decade, Ventura revealed to prosecutors on May 13 that during our first year together, he suggested we incorporate voyeurism into our intimate experiences. This initially manifested when I engaged an escort and arranged for it so I could perform in his presence, with another person.

Ultimately, she found herself engaged in organizing sex shows that Combs referred to as “freak offs.” These extended performances, ranging from 36 hours to four days, essentially turned into her occupation.

She reminisced, “At first, Sean arranged everything, including the setup in our hotel room. Later on, I handled it.

Ventura said that her “stomach churned” when he first proposed the experience.

She admitted that she didn’t initially understand how it would arouse him, but she took on the role willingly. She felt perplexed, anxious, yet deeply loved him and yearned to bring joy into his life. It wasn’t an action she desired or anticipated doing frequently, especially given its increasing frequency, but her love for him was strong and she sought his happiness.

She admitted, “At some point, I felt I didn’t have much of a choice.”

Ventura stated that Combs, whom she had an on-again, off-again relationship with from 2007 to 2018, often displayed violent behavior towards her during their time together.

She told the jury that their disagreements were often intense and led to acts of violence against her, including hitting her head, causing her to fall over, dragging her along, and kicking her.

She mentioned that her wounds were frequently noticeable, stating, “I’d develop lumps on my forehead, have black and red eyes, and sport bruises all across my body.

On May 13th, Ventura was prepared to testify following Daniel Philip, a male escort. In light of her eight-month pregnancy, Combs’ defense asked for her to be seated in the witness stand prior to the jury’s arrival.

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo stated to the judge, “I believe there’s an element of bias,” suggesting that pregnancy carries a certain charm and can evoke compassion.

As a lifestyle expert looking back on this situation, I find myself reflecting that my entry into the case came after the jury had already been chosen – a sign, perhaps, that my defense team’s request for certain motions had not been granted.

On one particular instance when Ventura didn’t immediately respond to Combs’ call, Philip testified on May 12th that Combs allegedly hurled a bottle of liquor towards her, followed by grabbing her by the hair and forcing her into the bedroom. According to Philip, she was shouting at this point, and from his vantage point in another room, it sounded like he was hitting her. Additionally, Philip claimed he heard Combs say, “I told you to come here, you come here now, not later.

Phillip said he was “terrified” and did not intervene.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share this: On another occasion at the Essex House hotel in New York, I chanced upon a disturbing incident. From my vantage point, it seemed like Mr. Combs was involved in an altercation with Ventura. The cries of “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” echoed through the hall, accompanied by the sound of someone being struck and tossed about the room. Peeking around the corner, I caught a glimpse of Mr. Combs exiting the hotel, apparently without any clothes, possibly wrapped in a towel.

I, being a fervent admirer, found myself in the unique position of having Ventura leap into my lap as she exited the room. In her own words, she attempted to reassure me that “everything’s fine” and “I’ll be alright,” but I firmly responded, “This is not alright, and you need professional 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 regarding why he didn’t contact the authorities, Philip stated that he viewed Combs as an individual with vast authority, and his belief was that, even if he had gone to the police, there was still a high likelihood that he could have potentially faced harm.

Daniel Philip claimed that during the specified period, he was operating a male strip show. He testified that he received a considerable sum of money, approximately thousands of dollars, in exchange for engaging in sexual activities with Ventura, while Combs observed from Manhattan’s Gramercy Hotel in 2012. Philip recognized Combs by his voice, even though he was wearing a robe, a baseball cap, and a face covering bandanna at the time.

Ventura compensated him and mentioned that she would give him a tip upon her departure, according to Philip’s statement in court. Later on, they engaged in sexual activity, applying baby oil on each other for a brief period. Combs was observed masturbating in the corner during this time.

Afterward, the witness continued, Ventura gave him “a couple of thousand more.”

Over the course of the following year, Philip stated that both Ventura and Combs reached out to him on numerous occasions for similar experiences at various hotels and their homes in New York. He claimed that Combs videotaped him and Ventura during one or two intimate instances, and at times, Combs would insert himself into the situation, engaging sexually with Ventura while Philip was present.

In her 2023 legal action claiming sexual assault and physical abuse by her former partner, Ventura asserted that Combs compelled her into having relations with male escorts.

As stated under oath, Ventura appeared frightened. She had drawn herself into a corner, her hood pulled over her head for concealment. In that position, I couldn’t discern her facial expressions clearly. The scene was further marked by a shattered flower vase on the floor.

After Ventura departed from the hotel, she sported a noticeable purple eye according to Florez. Following her exit, Florez and the hotel manager ascended to Combs’ room to remind him of the “hotel guidelines.” Combs suspected that the manager was secretly filming him on his phone, as Florez explained, and when he attempted to seize it, Florez stated, he pinned Combs against a wall. “We informed him we weren’t recording him,” Florez testified, “and diffused the situation.

In court, the prosecution played back the slowed-down version of the surveillance footage from May 2024, which showed Combs seeming to strike, kick, and pull Ventura. This was contrasted with the defense’s claim that the original footage had been sped up, making the confrontation appear more intense than it truly was. The jury was also presented with a video that Florez recorded on his phone when he answered a distress call on the sixth floor.

Florez stated that he didn’t contact the police right away since Ventura refused to discuss what had occurred and simply wanted to depart.

The police officer named Israel Florez, who once served as a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel, was present during the altercation involving Sean Combs and Terrence Ventura on March 5, 2016. In her initial statement, Geragos characterized the surveillance footage of the incident, initially released by CNN in May 2024, as compelling evidence of domestic violence; however, he clarified that it did not pertain to accusations of sex trafficking, but rather infidelity discovered on a mobile device.

On May 12th, Florez testified that he witnessed a scuffle on the day in question, and afterward, Combs gave him a pile of cash, trying to persuade him to ignore the incident.

In response to questioning, Florez stated that he was completely convinced the gesture made by Combs was an attempt at bribery.

Speaking as a committed supporter, in my initial remarks, I, Teny Geragos, expressed that the prosecution is attempting to redefine consensual acts as sex trafficking. However, I firmly believe that their efforts shall ultimately prove futile.

“Sean Combs is a complicated man,” she said, “but this is not a complicated case.”

Geragos stated that the matter at hand concerns Sean Combs’ private, intimate sexual affairs. He emphasized that these matters are separate from his legitimate business dealings.

In her statement to the court, she clarified that her client exhibited aggressive behavior, used illicit substances, and struggled with anger management issues. However, it’s important to note that these characteristics do not form part of the charges against him. Instead, he is being tried for other offenses, not for being unkind or disrespectful.

According to Geragos, the evidence will reveal an individual with numerous flaws, however, it won’t depict them as a racketeer, a human trafficker, or someone involved in transporting for prostitution.

Assistant District Attorney Emily Johnson alleged that Combs employed an extensive team to perform unlawful activities, including prolonged “freak-offs,” as described in the federal indictment, based on reports from journalists of NBC News present in the courtroom.

She informed the court that at times he referred to himself as a king and demanded special treatment to fulfill his every whim. She also alleged that through his businesses, he exerted control over women, coercing them into sexual encounters in the presence of male escorts.

Johnson initiated her speech to the jury by portraying Combs as an extraordinarily impactful individual who oversaw a criminal organization.

Johnson pointed out an instance of Combs’ suspected criminality to the jury, stating that Combs was “actively seeking” Ventura one evening following news of her new romantic involvement with someone else. According to Johnson, Combs viciously assaulted Ventura, kicking her in the back and throwing her around carelessly, much like tossing a rag doll, after discovering her.

As a loyal observer, I’d rephrase that sentence as follows: “He warned her, telling her that if she disobeys him once more, he would expose videos of her intimate moments with male escorts, effectively unveiling the most embarrassing chapters of her past.

The prosecutor alleged that Combs’ inner circle covered up “crime after crime.”

Judge Arun Subramanian shared his thoughts with the jury, expressing optimism that the trial might come to a close by Independence Day, July 4th. However, he cautioned them that it could potentially last longer, though he doesn’t foresee that happening.

On the opening day of his sex trafficking trial on May 12, his mother, Janice Combs, was among those present, as were six of his oldest children.

His children Quincy Brown, Christian “King” Combs, Jessie Combs, D’Lila Combs (with late Kim Porter), Justin Combs (with Misa Hylton), and Chance Combs (with Sarah Chapman) were able to give him a warm embrace before he met with his lawyers.

In the trial, both the prosecution and Chris Combs’ legal team consented to have an 8-member jury comprised of 4 men and 4 women, along with 6 additional members (4 men and 2 women) as alternates.

Marc Agnifilo, representing Combs, contended that the prosecution seemed to be deliberately excluding potential Black jurors. He asserted this could form a pattern, urging the judge to require reasons for these dismissals.

Nevertheless, Prosecutor Maurene Ryan Comey refuted the allegations by stating, “In our conduct, we’ve shown no bias, and the jury is multiracial, comprising several panelists who are not white.

This group of twelve jurors, residing in New York City or Westchester, consists of diverse professionals: an elderly actor and masseur, a 31-year-old investment analyst, a 51-year-old scientist, a 30-year-old deli counter worker, a 42-year-old nursing home assistant, a 41-year-old communications clerk at a correctional facility, an elderly retired banker, another retiree from the telecommunications sector, a 43-year-old physician assistant, a 39-year-old social worker, a logistics analyst in his mid-sixties, and a treatment coordinator nearing her seventies.

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2025-05-15 02:21