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Cassie, the R&B artist, has filed a lawsuit against her former partner, Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs, alleging rape and physical abuse spanning a decade.
The couple, who reportedly ended their ten-year relationship in 2018, is now at the centre of a legal dispute.
In the filed lawsuit this week in the Federal District Court in Manhattan, Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, claims that Combs exposed her to a lifestyle marked by excessive alcohol and substance abuse. Furthermore, she alleges that the rapper coerced her into engaging in sexual activities with multiple male prostitutes, all while recording the encounters.
Cassie shared in a statement: “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,” she said.
The statement added: “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.”
Combs’ lawyer, Ben Brafman, told The Independent: “Mr Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr Combs has been subjected to Ms Ventura’s persistent demand of $30m, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail”.
Brafman added: “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.”
Ventura makes many serious allegations within the suit, including alleging that Combs was involved in an incident which saw rapper Kid Cudi’s car explode after dating Ventura, with Cudi claiming, “This is all true.”
“Throughout their relationship Mr Combs was prone to uncontrollable rage, and frequently beat Ms Ventura savagely,” the suit alleges. “These beatings were witnessed by Mr. Combs’ staff and employees of Bad Boy Entertainment and Mr. Combs’s related businesses, but no one dared to speak up against their frightening and ferocious boss.”
“Mr Combs offered Ms Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit,” said Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura. “She rejected his efforts.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
