Hip hop icon Sean "Diddy" Combs has been accused of rape and abuse in a lawsuit filed by singer Cassie who claims he used his powerful network to keep her isolated in an abusive relationship with her.
Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, dated Diddy for over a decade. She claims that during their relationship, he assaulted her several times — brutally beating and raping her — and controlled every aspect of her life, the New York Times reported Thursday. She faced "a cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking" until their relationship ended in 2018, according to the lawsuit.
Cassie said in a statement to the Times that after "years of silence and obscurity," she was "finally ready to tell her story and speak up for herself and for the benefit of other women facing violence and abuse in relationships."
The shocking lawsuit describes dark details of their relationship, in which Combs gained control of her personal and professional life and subjected her to years of violence, forced sex and constant threats.
Diddy began aggressively pursuing Cassie, who signed a contract with his label Bad Boy Records at age 19 and quickly became famous, the lawsuit states. Cassie claims Diddy went to her 21st birthday party, forcefully kissed her and immediately exerted his power and influence.
Because of his status as the founder of Bad Boy Records, the lawsuit alleges, Cassie felt she could not refuse the requests — or the drug offers — without jeopardizing her career. She claims he lured her with apartments, clothes and got her into drugs, a way to keep her "satisfied and obedient".
He became controlling and abusive, according to the lawsuit, frequently punching, kicking and kicking her. He allegedly forced Cassie to carry his guns in her purse on at least two occasions.
It is also alleged that the 54-year-old forced Cassie to "regularly engage in sexual acts with male sex workers" whom Diddy photographed and filmed. She was given drugs before and during sex, allowing her to "pass out during these horrific encounters," according to the lawsuit.
Cassie was a victim of sex trafficking after she was asked to perform forced sexual acts in multiple cities, the lawsuit states. It's also alleged that in 2015, Diddy beat Cassie so badly that when his security guard and her assistant saw "two black eyes, a cracked and bruised lip and a large gash on her forehead," they started to cry.
He used the threat of further violence as well as his network to keep Cassie in the relationship whenever she tried to leave, according to the lawsuit. After she began a brief relationship with Kid Cudi in 2012, Diddy allegedly blew up the rapper's car. Kid Cudi confirmed the incident to the New York Times, saying, "It's all true."
By 2018, Cassie was desperate to end their relationship. After a dinner where he believed they were going to discuss the matter, Diddy forced his way into her home and raped her, according to the lawsuit. Soon after, she moved out of the house he had paid for, returned the car he had bought for her, and finally broke up.
The damage and trauma he experienced required "intensive medical and psychological care."
"Therefore, Ms. Ventura seeks justice for the decade of her life that Mr. "Combs took her away with threats of violence, excessive drug use, physical and psychological abuse, and sexual slavery," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit seeks damages for lost money, mental anguish and severe emotional distress.
A representative for Combs - who has also gone by the names Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Diddy, Love and Puffy - denied the claims, writing that the allegations were "offensive and outrageous" and came after Ventura demanded $30 million from him.
A lawyer for Cassie told the New York Times that she was offered an "eight-figure sum to shut her up and prevent a lawsuit," which she turned down.
