Current:Home > Contact-usCassie Settles Lawsuit Accusing Sean "Diddy" Combs of Rape and Abuse-InfoLens
Cassie Settles Lawsuit Accusing Sean "Diddy" Combs of Rape and Abuse
View Date:2024-12-23 10:10:17
Content warning: This story discusses sexual assault and abuse.
Sean "Diddy" Combs and ex-girlfriend Cassie have reached a settlement over her lawsuit accusing him of rape and abuse, allegations he denied.
The news was announced Nov. 17, a day after she sued the rapper in a New York court for alleged sexual assault, battery, sex trafficking and subjecting her to a hostile work environment.
"I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control," the singer, full name Cassandra Ventura, said in a statement to NBC News. "I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support."
Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, added, "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."
Diddy, who also goes by the name Love, said in his own statement to the outlet, "We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love."
The 54-year-old and Cassie dated on and off for almost a decade before they split in 2018. In her Nov. 16 lawsuit, she accused him of physical and sexual abuse throughout their relationship.
In her complaint, obtained by NBC News, Cassie, 37, alleged she was "lured" into dating Diddy, who she called a "vicious, cruel, and controlling man," after signing with his record label. She cited fear of repercussions for an album deal if she rejected his advances and alleged that throughout their relationship, he "punched, beat, kicked and stomped on" her and forced her to engage in sex acts with male sex workers. She also stated in the lawsuit that in 2018, the two met for dinner to discuss breaking up and that Diddy allegedly later "forced himself into her apartment" and raped her.
"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," she said in a statement to NBC News Nov. 16. "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."
Diddy's attorney Ben Brafman later told E! News in a statement, "Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura's persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. 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 payday."
E! News previously reached out to reps for Cassie for comment but hasn't heard back.
(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.veryGood! (4)
Related
- Oil Industry Asks Trump to Repeal Major Climate Policies
- Bombarded by Israeli airstrikes, conditions in Gaza grow more dire as power goes out
- Stunning images from Diamondbacks' pool party after their sweep of the Dodgers
- Israeli woman learned of grandmother's killing on Facebook – after militant uploaded a video of her body
- Love Actually Secrets That Will Be Perfect to You
- Mexico’s president calls 1994 assassination of presidential candidate a ‘state crime’
- Suniva says it will restart production of a key solar component at its Georgia factory
- New Netflix show 'The Fall of the House of Usher': Release date, cast and trailer
- Police capture Tennessee murder suspect accused of faking his own death on scenic highway
- Sony announces release of new PlayStation 5 Slim models just in time for the holiday season
Ranking
- Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures
- New proteins, better batteries: Scientists are using AI to speed up discoveries
- Migrants flounder in Colombian migration point without the money to go on
- Wisconsin GOP to vote on banning youth transgender surgery, barring transgender girls from sports
- Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier
- Bomb threat forces U-turn of Scoot plane traveling from Singapore to Perth, airline says
- GOP-led House panel: White House employee inspected Biden office where classified papers were found over a year earlier than previously known
- The morgue at Gaza’s biggest hospital is overflowing as Israeli attacks intensify
Recommendation
-
Elon Musk says 'SNL' is 'so mad' Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey's impression
-
Chrishell Stause Is Confronted By Jason Oppenheim's Girlfriend in Selling Sunset Season 7 Trailer
-
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self won't face additional penalties from infractions case
-
NFL appeal in Jon Gruden emails lawsuit gets Nevada Supreme Court hearing date
-
High-scoring night in NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo explodes for 59, Victor Wembanyama for 50
-
Trump says Netanyahu ‘let us down’ before the 2020 airstrike that killed a top Iranian general
-
Don’t mess with this mama bear: Grazer easily wins popular Fat Bear Contest at Alaska national park
-
Prince William's Cheeky Response to His Most-Used Emoji Will Make You Royally Flush