Cassie Ventura, a key witness in the ongoing trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs, emotionally testified in court that she would willingly return a $20 million legal settlement if it meant she could erase her experiences with the rapper’s notorious drug-fueled sex parties. Her statements come as she concluded four days of intense testimony in the New York criminal proceedings against her former partner.
Allegations of coercion and violence
During her testimony, Ventura, aged 38, confronted suggestions from the defense that her allegations stemmed from financial motivations. She detailed the tumultuous decade-long relationship with Combs, during which she was subjected to purported physical violence and coercion into engaging in the so-called “freak-off” sexual sessions with male escorts. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution, with the possibility of facing life imprisonment if convicted.
“I would have agency and autonomy,” she expressed, yearning for a life free of the traumatic experiences she associates with the “freak offs.”
In her testimony, Ventura disclosed harrowing details about the physical and emotional toll these encounters took on her life, which she claimed were not consensual but rather forced upon her through threats of violence from Combs.
Details of settlements and key evidence
As the trial progressed, Ventura addressed the $20 million settlement she received shortly after filing a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023. This payment, made public but with its exact amount previously undisclosed, raised questions during the trial. Combs’ attorney, Anna Estevao, insinuated that Ventura was in financial distress, noting her recent move back to her parents’ home with her husband and children.
However, Ventura refuted this claim, stating that she would sacrifice the money to avoid the distress caused by her past experiences, which she said resulted in physical injuries and hindered her career as a singer.
During the trial, the defense presented numerous messages exchanged between Ventura and Combs, aiming to illustrate a fractious yet non-criminal relationship. Just before she left the stand, they probed into another legal settlement Ventura was awaiting, approximately $10 million from InterContinental Hotels related to a violent incident in 2016 captured on security footage.
That footage, which was pivotal in the trial, depicted Combs physically assaulting Ventura, and her subsequent messages to him post-incident displayed a complex emotional dynamic, as they oscillated between expressions of love and expressions of pain.
As the trial continues, additional witnesses have begun to take the stand, including singer Dawn Richard, a former member of Danity Kane, who testified to witnessing Combs assault Ventura in 2009. Her account included a chilling description of Ventura on the floor in a fetal position following the incident.
With a media frenzy surrounding the trial, the Manhattan court has attracted significant public attention, with many spectators eager to witness the proceedings involving the music mogul, his family, and the notable personalities testifying against him. The prosecution is expected to call more witnesses in the coming days, continuing to unravel the intricacies of this high-profile case.