Rapper and record label founder, P Diddy (real name Sean Combs), has been accused of rape, physical abuse and sex trafficking by his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura (a singer best known for hits such as Me & U and Long Way 2 Go).
Ventura is now seeking an undisclosed sum of money in the form of compensatory damages, as well as for loss of earnings and “severe emotional distress”.
In response to Ventura’s allegations, Combs has strongly denied all accusations of wrongdoing and labelled them as “offensive and outrageous”, via his legal team.
Combs’ lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said the alleged demand “was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail”.
“For the past six months, Mr Combs has been subjected to Ms Venturas persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail,” he told press following the allegations. “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.”
Cassie and P Diddy pictured together in 2006
As part of the new lawsuit, Ventura claims that she was subjected to controlling behaviour and physical assaults from Combs throughout the course of their relationship – which began when she was 19 and he was 37, and lasted for more than a decade. The pair met in 2005 and split in 2018.
Her lawyer also claims Combs offered her “eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit” but that Ventura rejected the offer and “decided to give a voice to all woman who suffer in silence.”
“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,” Ventura said in a statement released yesterday (16 November 2023).
“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.”
The lawsuit labels Combs as “serial domestic abuser, who would regularly beat and kick Ms Ventura, leaving black eyes, bruises, and blood” and accuses him of forcing Ventura to take drugs, kickstarting a series of addiction issues for her, and have sex with male sex workers.
Ventura claims Combs would film the encounters and masturbate to them whilst they were happening, something she says has left her with deep trauma.
She also alleges Combs broke into her home following their spilt and raped her.
Cosmopolitan UK has reached out to representatives for Combs and Ventura for comment.
Features Editor
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK’s multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She’s grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.