One day after an explosive lawsuit was filed against him, Cassie reached a settlement with “Diddy” Sean Combs that will keep her out of court on rape and sex trafficking charges.
The singer, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Manhattan on Thursday, alleging that the “bad boy” music mogul and her ex-partner Combs molested her during their relationship. Years of abuse. Combs has denied the allegation. Charges were filed through his attorney.
Late Friday night, the pair made a surprise announcement that the case was over before any proceedings had begun.
“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably where I have a degree of control,” Cassie, 37, said in a statement. “I would like to thank my family, fans and attorneys for their unwavering support.”
“We decided to resolve this amicably,” Combs, 54, said. “I wish Cassie and her family the best. Love.”
Details of the settlement have not been released. The only thing that’s certain is that it avoids a potentially nasty legal battle that would unfold out in the open.
Here’s a brief recap of what happened during those solid 24 hours.
Who is Cassie?
Ventura is a singer, model and actor who met Combs in late 2005/early 2006. She was 19 at the time and Combs was 37, already a successful musician and the head of his own influential label, Bad Boy Records.He signed the teenager and, in 2006, she and singles rankings “Me & U” and “Long Way 2 Go.”
In 2007, Combs split from his then-partner, Kim Porter (who died in 2018), with whom he had four children, and Combs and Ventura were reportedly married. The two seemed to confirm their relationship during a public appearance in 2012.
While they never announced their engagement, speculation swirled after he posted a photo in 2014 of her later spotted wearing a diamond ring. August 2016, TMZ reports After Kathy tried to break up with Diddy, she and Diddy got into an argument in Beverly Hills – her mom reportedly called the police – which led to rumors of their breakup.However, a source later revealed tell us weekly They are still a couple.
But in October 2018, her rep said in a statement to the magazine that Ventura and Combs “are indeed no longer together and have not been for several months.”
What are Casey’s accusations against Combs?
Legal affairs reporter Megann Cuniff, who posted the entire lawsuit on Trigger warning for “sexual messages”.
Ventura alleges that Combs, nicknamed “Diddy” and “Diddy,” controlled, abused and sexually trafficked her. She said Combs gave her drugs, beat her during filming and forced her to have sex with other men. Additionally, she claimed that in 2018, he forced his way into her home and raped her inside her home.
According to the substance lawsuit, it all started a few years after they met in 2005. He introduced her to a “lifestyle of excessive alcohol and drug abuse and required her to purchase illegal prescriptions to feed her addiction,” then “forced Ms. Ventura to participate” in masturbation and filming sessions with male sex workers. sexual behavior. “
The lawsuit alleges that during their relationship, he was “prone to uncontrollable rage” and “routinely and savagely assaulted Ms. Ventura.” “Mr. Combs’ employees, as well as employees at Bad Boy Entertainment and Mr. Combs-related businesses, witnessed these beatings, but no one dared to speak out against their horrific and murderous boss.”
Ventura released a statement after the lawsuit was filed: “After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story and speak out on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships. Speak up.”
Her lawyer said the “I’m Gonna Miss You” rapper was trying to pay off his client rather than deal with the lawsuit.
“Mr. Combs offered Ms. Ventura an eight-figure sum to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit,” said her attorney, Doug Wigdor tell deadline“She rejected his efforts and decided to speak out for all women who suffer in silence. Ms. Ventura should be commended for her bravery.”
What does Cady Boy have to do with all this?
Ventura claims in the lawsuit that when she was dating the “Day ‘n’ Nite” rapper in 2012, Diddy said he would blow up Cudi’s car. According to the lawsuit, the car “exploded in his driveway.”
part of cudi confirmed the story To the New York Times: “It’s all true.”
The lawsuit further alleges that when Combs discovered the emails the two exchanged, he “hit her several times and then kicked her in the back as she tried to run out the door.”
What did Didi say?
The rap mogul’s attorney, Benjamin Brafman, was quick to deny Ventura’s accusations, claiming his client was actually the victim of an extortion incident.
Brafman said: “For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subject to ongoing demands for $30 million from Ms. Ventura and threats to write a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally denied. Blatant blackmail,” According to The Hollywood Reporter“While Ms. Ventura has withdrawn her initial threat, she has now filed a lawsuit filled with baseless and egregious lies designed to tarnish Mr. Combs’ reputation and seek a payday.”
How strong is her case?
lawyer Judy SandersThe former prosecutor who headed ASK LLP’s sexual abuse unit told Yahoo Entertainment before the case was settled that “these allegations are really substantial.”
She noted that the lawsuit was filed in New York state court. Adult Survivors Acta person claiming to have been sexually assaulted can take legal action even if the statute of limitations has expired. The law expires next week.
“What I’m trying to say is that this young woman knew that because the window was closed, this might be her last time speaking out… That’s very fitting. [other] “Survivors,” Sanders said, he supports eliminating such statutes of limitations entirely. “Humiliation and disgrace. They don’t want to speak out, they don’t want to say anything. Given that, it does take courage to just speak out against sexual violence in general, but then to talk about these sexual accusations with… a powerful person.”
Saunders said such cases often depend on who people believe because no one knows what happened in private. Who can report to the media first? However, some of the incidents occurred in front of others, which Sanders believes strengthens the case against the music icon.
The attorney also pointed out that both Ventura and Combs would be physically assaulted in court if the case went to trial. “They have the resources to dig up dirt, if there is any, and really intimidate, legally intimidate, publicly intimidate and use their public relations machine to intimidate these accusers,” Sanders said.
Ultimately, however, the case is closed and the former couple will move on with their lives without a court showdown.