|
Listen now
|
Music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been accused of rape and repeated physical abuse by his former girlfriend, R&B legend Cassie, in a new federal lawsuit.
Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, said in a legal document that was filed in Manhattan’s Federal District Court: “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.”
“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,” Ventura said.
The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court says Combs, who was then 37 years old, in 2005 lured the then-19-year-old Ventura into a professional relationship by signing her to his label, Bad Boy Records, and within several years lured her to a sexual relationship, and introduced her “to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse.”
The suit alleges that Combs raped Ventura in her home after she tried to leave him, “blew up a man’s car after he learned that he was romantically interested in” Ventura, “often punched, beat, kicked and stomped on” her.
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, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Ventura’s allegations.
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.
Follow the MoneyCentral Nigeria channel on WhatsApp: Click here!