Cassie Ventura and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attend the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
John Shearer | Getty Images | The Hollywood Reporter | Getty Images
The music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was hit Thursday with a civil lawsuit accusing him of raping and sex trafficking the singer Cassie over the course of a decade.
“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,” Cassie said in a statement about her suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
“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,” said Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura.
The Adult Survivor’s Act since last November allows accusers to file civil claims of sexual abuse during a one-year window that otherwise would be barred by the statute of limitations.
Cassie’s suit says that when she was just 19 years old in 2005, Combs, who was then 37, lured the singer into a professional relationship by signing her to his label, Bad Boy Records.
Within several years he induced her to a sexual relationship, and introduced her “to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse,” the suit alleges.
The suit claims that Combs raped Cassie in her home after she tried to leave him, “blew up” another man’s car after learning of his romantic interest in the singer, and often beat and kicked her.
Sean “Diddy” Combs announces his alliance with Diageo, the world’s leading spirits, wine and beer company, at a press conference at Stone Rose on October 24, 2007 in New York City.
George Napolitano | Filmmagic | Getty Images
And it says Combs, who has seven children, “forced Ms. Ventura to engage in sex acts with male sex workers while masturbating and filming the encounters.”
“Throughout their relationship Mr. Combs was prone to uncontrollable rage, and frequently beat Ms. Ventura savagely,” the suit alleges.
“These beatings were witnessed by Mr. Combs’ staff and employees of Bad Boy Entertainment and Mr. Combs’s related businesses, but no one dared to speak up against their frightening and ferocious boss.”
In addition to Combs, the suit names Bad Boy Records, Bad Boy Entertainment, Epic Records, and Combs Enterprises as defendants.
“No human should have to endure what Ms. Ventura has endured,” said her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor.
“Her ability and willingness to speak up against the abuse she suffered, and seeking to hold accountable her abuser and those who enabled the abuse, is a testament to her strength and resilience. We are honored to represent this brave victim in her pursuit of justice.”
Ben Brafman, a lawyer for Combs, in a statement said, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.”
“Ms. Ventura’s demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail,” Brafman said. “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’ reputation, and seeking a pay day.”
Wigdor responded to Brafman’s statement by saying, “Mr. Comb’s offered Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit. She rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all woman who suffer in silence. Ms. Ventura should be applauded for her bravery.”
Combs, one of the most influential and successful executives in music, founded hip hop label Bad Boy in the early 1990s. He also launched a clothing label, Sean John, and helped develop the Ciroc vodka brand. As recently as last year, Forbes estimated his net worth at $1 billion.
Combs also was a close friend the rapper Notorious B.I.G., known as Biggie. He was in Biggie’s entourage it in a separate SUV, when the rapper was fatally shot in 1997.
Earlier this year, Combs sued Ciroc owner Diageo for alleged racial discrimination, saying they neglected Ciroc and his tequila brand, DeLeon. The company ended their relationship in June after about 16 years.
— Additional reporting by Stefan Sykes and Mike Calia
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
