Casandra “Cassie” Ventura is one step closer to testifying against Sean “Diddy” Combs in his upcoming trial.
According to People, Cassie is prepared to testify in the rap mogul’s federal trial that is expected to kick off on May 5. She will also be using her name to do so.
Prosecutors stated in a motion filed in April that “Victim-1” would not be testifying anonymously.
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“She is prepared to testify under her own name,” the filing stated. “Victim-2, Victim-3 and Victim-4 have asked that their identities not be revealed to the press or the public.”
Prosecutors Deny Leaking Diddy and Cassie Assault Video in New Court Docs
Us Weekly has reached out to Cassie and Diddy’s legal teams for comment.
In September 2024, Diddy was indicted on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering after being arrested in New York City.
According to the 14-page indictment obtained by Us, the rapper allegedly “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him.”
Some of the alleged incidents, which the indictment claimed were carried out to fulfill “his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct,” date back to 2009. Diddy has denied all allegations against him and is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Video of Diddy Assaulting Cassie Expected to Be ‘Key Piece’ of His Trial
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo told Us in a statement in September 2024. “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”
Before Diddy’s trial begins, look back on Cassie’s allegations against the music mogul:
What Cassie Alleged in Her Lawsuit Against Diddy
In November 2023, Us confirmed that Cassie filed a lawsuit against Diddy, accusing him of rape and repeated physical abuse that lasted nearly a decade. Cassie and Diddy dated off and on from 2007 to 2018.
“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story,” Cassie said in a statement at the time, “and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”
In the lawsuit, Cassie claimed that Diddy began a pattern of control and abuse after they met in 2005. The singer alleged that Diddy urged her to take drugs, beat her and forced her to have sex with male prostitutes on camera.
Cassie is referred to as “a victim of sex trafficking” in the lawsuit, claiming that the alleged incidents took place in high-end hotels and in Diddy’s homes across the United States.
How Diddy Responded to Cassie’s Lawsuit
Soon after Cassie’s lawsuit was filed, Diddy refuted his ex’s allegations in a statement provided by his lawyer.
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” his attorney Ben Brafman said in a statement to Us. “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’s reputation and seeking a payday.”
In November 2023, Cassie settled her lawsuit against Diddy, saying, “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
Diddy’s lawyer said that the settlement does not indicate that Diddy is guilty. “Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Brafman shared in a statement to Us. “Mr. Combs‘ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
CNN Obtains Video of Cassie and Diddy
Nearly six months after Cassie and Diddy settled their lawsuit, CNN obtained video footage of the rap mogul allegedly assaulting Cassie in 2016.
“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” Cassie’s attorney Douglas Wigdor told Us in a statement after the footage resurfaced in May 2024. “Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
At the time, Diddy apologized for his actions in a video posted via Instagram. “It’s difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you gotta do that,” Diddy said. “I was f***ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Ex Cassie’s Relationship Timeline
In a court filing related to Diddy’s federal indictment obtained by TMZ in March, the rap mogul’s lawyers claimed that “CNN purchased the only known copy of the Hotel’s surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into a free editing software, altered the video and then destroyed the original footage, even though it knew about and repeatedly reported about the federal investigation.”
CNN has denied the claims, saying they never altered the video and did not destroy the original copy of the footage, which was retained by the source. CNN also pointed out that they aired the story about the video several months before Diddy was arrested.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Us Weekly
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