News emerged on Thursday that Cassie Ventura has initiated a legal battle against producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, leading to widespread support for her. The singer, model, and actress, known mononymously as Cassie, filed a lawsuit in a federal court in New York City. She accuses Combs of physical violence, controlling her personal life, and exposing her to a life of excessive alcohol and substance abuse. The lawsuit also alleges that Combs coerced her into engaging in sexual acts with male sex workers through threats of violence.
In response, Combs’ attorney, Ben Brafman, issued a statement to CNN, strongly denying the allegations as “offensive and outrageous.” He claimed that Ventura demanded $30 million to avoid publishing a damaging book about their relationship.
Countering this, Ventura’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, alleged that Combs attempted to pay Ventura a substantial amount to prevent her from filing the lawsuit and speaking out. Wigdor praised Ventura’s courage in rejecting the offer and choosing to represent women who suffer in similar situations silently.
On Thursday, amidst the unfolding lawsuit news, Cassie Ventura received significant support from various individuals, including her husband, Alex Fine. Fine, a personal trainer and model, shared a heartfelt throwback photo of their 2019 wedding on Instagram with a red heart emoji, although the post has since been deleted for reasons unknown.
Members of Danity Kane, Ventura’s fellow artists from Combs’ Bad Boy label, also showed solidarity. Dawn Richard, a member of the group, expressed her support for Ventura on X (previously known as Twitter) with a message of prayer and encouragement, accompanied by a red heart emoji. Aubrey O’Day of Danity Kane also voiced her support on social media. Known for her past criticisms of Combs and claiming she was fired by him, O’Day shared several Instagram posts backing Ventura, emphasizing the importance of her speaking out.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, O’Day reiterated her full support for Ventura, acknowledging the challenge of confronting influential figures in the industry and calling for more openness about experiences in the entertainment world. She highlighted the significance of Ventura’s voice in bringing forward more stories like hers.
Danity Kane, formed by Combs in 2005 on the MTV show “Making the Band,” has a shared history with Ventura, who was signed to Bad Boy Records after meeting Combs around 2005 or 2006. In her lawsuit, Ventura alleges that Combs introduced her to a lavish, substance-abuse-laden lifestyle and coerced her into a romantic and sexual relationship. The complaint notes the age difference at their meeting (Ventura being 19 and Combs 37) and accuses Combs of using drugs and alcohol to manipulate her.
Ventura, known for her R&B hit “Me & U,” is utilizing New York’s Adult Survivors Act for her legal action, which allows adult victims of sexual abuse to sue even after the statute of limitations has expired. The act is set to lapse on November 24.
In a statement to CNN, Ventura spoke of breaking her silence to share her story and to stand for other women in abusive relationships. The specific locations of the alleged incidents or whether they have been reported to the police remain unclear.
Regarding potential criminal charges, Ventura’s attorney, Michael J. Willemin, declined to comment on any possible criminal filings when contacted by CNN.
Bad Boy Records, the music label owned by Combs, is headquartered in New York.
Responding to inquiries about whether the New York Police Department is investigating the allegations against Combs, a spokesperson from the Department’s Public Information Office informed CNN that currently, there is no ongoing investigation. They emphasized that the NYPD takes reports of sexual assault and rape very seriously and encourages victims to come forward to facilitate thorough investigations and provide support to survivors.
Combs, 54, established Bad Boy Records in 1993 and is known by various stage names including Puff Daddy, Puffy, Diddy, and P. Diddy. In 2021, he made headlines by legally changing his middle name to “Love.”
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