Cassie Ventura testifies to $20M settlement, abuse in Diddy trial
Content warning: The following story contains graphic depictions of sexual and domestic abuse.
On day three of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial, singer Cassie Ventura revealed she received a $20 million settlement. That was just 24 hours after filing a lawsuit against him in 2023. She also testified about years of alleged abuse, both emotional and physical, during their long-term relationship.
Graphic testimony from the witness stand
Ventura told the courtroom that Combs forced her into sex parties known as “freak-offs,” where she said she was forced to have sex with male escorts while under the influence of drugs.
She said these encounters were often recorded and left her with physical symptoms like urinary tract infections and painful mouth sores, according to The Washington Post. Combs allegedly threatened to leak the footage if she ever tried to leave.
Hotel surveillance played in court
The court was shown surveillance video from 2016, previously released in part by CNN, that shows Combs chasing Ventura down a hotel hallway. He appears to strike and drag her after she attempts to call an elevator.
According to Ventura, per NPR, the incident happened just days before a film premiere, and after she refused to participate in a “freak-off” that Combs suggested.
His legal team claimed in court that the footage had been edited to make events appear faster than they actually were.
Alleged rape in 2018
Ventura also recalled a dinner with Combs in 2018, which she said was meant to bring closure to their relationship. Instead, she testified that he raped her on the living room floor.
This incident overlapped with the beginning of her relationship with her now-husband, Alex Fine. Fine was in the courtroom to support Ventura but was reportedly asked to leave during that portion of the testimony due to legal protocol.
Family exits and emotional moments
Both Ventura’s and Combs’ families were present during her testimony. Combs’ daughters were seen leaving the courtroom early by People, holding hands, as Ventura described the most graphic parts.
Ventura, who is now pregnant with her third child, became emotional while talking about how the abuse affected her mental health. NBC News even reports that she mentioned she had become suicidal in the past. At one point, she told jurors she stayed in the relationship to keep her boyfriend happy, but also because she feared Combs would leak the videos.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to several federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and coercion. His trial is expected to last several more weeks, with additional witness testimony to come.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
