NEW YORK, USA – Sean Combs, known by his stage name Diddy, the hip-hop mogul, and singer Cassie, legally known as Casandra Ventura, have reached a settlement just a day after a lawsuit was filed against Combs.
The lawsuit, which accused Combs of rape and physical assault, has been the subject of intense media scrutiny.
On Friday, November 17, 2023, both parties confirmed they had reached an amicable agreement, though the details of the settlement remain undisclosed.
Ventura’s lawsuit was filed in the Federal District Court in Manhattan, New York on Thursday.
Cassie, in a statement, expressed her decision to resolve the matter on her own terms, thanking her family, fans, and legal team for their support. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
Sean Combs, known for his influence in the hip-hop industry and his establishment of the Bad Boy label, responded similarly, stating the resolution was amicable and extending his best wishes to Cassie and her family.
“We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love,” Combs said.
The settlement closes a potentially damaging and public legal battle, sparing Combs the risk of exposing sensitive evidence and avoiding a trial. For Ventura, the resolution means evading a possibly challenging cross-examination.
Ventura’s lawsuit had brought serious allegations against Combs, including physical abuse and controlling behaviour over the years they were together.
According to the lawsuit, Ventura endured repeated assaults, resulting in physical harm. She also alleged that the rapper plied her with drugs and that Combs’s employees sometimes secluded her in hotel rooms to recover away from public scrutiny.
One of the most harrowing claims in Ventura’s lawsuit involved being coerced into sexual encounters with male prostitutes while Combs observed and recorded the events, termed as “freak offs.”
The lawsuit detailed these encounters in various high-end hotels across the United States.
Furthermore, the lawsuit depicted Combs as exercising extensive control over Ventura’s life, managing her finances and residence, and even accessing her medical records. Ventura stated her reluctance to approach the police, fearing retaliation from Combs.
As their relationship was unravelling in 2018, Cassie alleges that Diddy raped her after forcing himself into her home.
Despite the settlement, the allegations have reignited discussions about Combs’s past, marked with accusations of violence, including a noted incident involving music executive Steve Stoute.
Combs’s reputation and legacy in the music industry, despite his accolades, including a lifetime achievement honour at the BET Awards and a global icon award at MTV’s Video Music Awards, might face enduring effects.
Douglas Wigdor, Ventura’s attorney, commended her courage in bringing the lawsuit to public attention, emphasising the significance of her actions in such high-profile cases. ““I am very proud of Ms. Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit. She ought to be commended for doing so.”
Cassie began dating Diddy in 2007 after meeting in 2005. The rapper was 39 at the time while the ‘Me and You’ singer was 21.
In June 2019, she married Alex Fine, a fitness industry entrepreneur, whom she began dating in 2028. The couple have two children. Mr Fine is actively involved in supporting organisations that work against domestic violence.
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