Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, has filed a lawsuit against Mr. Combs (Sean Combs) in Federal District Court in Manhattan, revealing disturbing details of alleged control, abuse, and sexual assault during their relationship. The lawsuit claims that Mr. Combs engaged in controlling behavior, providing drugs, physical abuse, and orchestrating sexual encounters with male prostitutes, which he filmed. Ms. Ventura further accuses Mr. Combs of breaking into her home and raping her in 2018, shortly after their breakup.
After years of silence, Cassie expressed her readiness to share her story for the benefit of other women facing abuse in their relationships. In response, Mr. Combs’s lawyer, Ben Brafman, vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them as “hurtful and ridiculous.” He also alleged that Cassie had previously threatened to write a damaging book about their relationship if he didn’t pay her $30 million, characterizing it as blackmail.
According to Douglas Wigdor, Cassie’s lawyer, discussions between the two parties occurred before the lawsuit was filed. Mr. Combs reportedly offered a substantial amount to dissuade Cassie from pursuing legal action, but she declined.
The lawsuit against Mr. Combs, who played a significant role in the success of hip-hop artists through his company Bad Boy, also implicates others who allegedly assisted in concealing his behavior or threatening Cassie. Seeking specific damages, the lawsuit details instances of violence, control, and manipulation throughout their relationship.
Cassie, initially drawn into Mr. Combs’s high-profile lifestyle after signing with Bad Boy, claims that he quickly exerted powerful control over various aspects of her life. The lawsuit outlines instances of physical abuse, coercive control, and forced drug use, asserting that she felt trapped and unable to escape due to fear of repercussions on her family, career, and life.
Describing events spanning several years, the lawsuit includes details of Mr. Combs’s anger over her dating choices, threats to blow up a rival’s car, and forcing her into sexual encounters with male prostitutes—a practice known as “voyeurism.” Cassie characterizes these incidents as traumatic and alleges that she engaged in drug use to cope with the distress.
Utilizing the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law allowing individuals to file civil suits for sexual abuse after the statute of limitations has expired, Cassie brings her case forward. The lawsuit sheds light on the importance of this law in enabling survivors to seek justice beyond conventional time constraints.
In a statement, Cassie emphasized the significance of speaking up about her trauma and the recovery she will face for the rest of her life. The lawsuit not only outlines a painful narrative of alleged abuse but also advocates for accountability and justice within the context of the #MeToo movement.
