Sean \u201cDiddy\u201d Combs was sued by Casandra Ventura \u2013 the singer known as Cassie \u2013 in a federal court in New York on Thursday. In the suit, Ventura, a former girlfriend to Combs, alleges that she was raped by Combs and subjected to years of physical abuse during their relationship.<\/p>\n
The suit details that Ventura met Combs around 2005 when she was 19 and the rapper was 37. Ventura alleges that Combs \u201cexerted his power and influence\u201d over the course of a decade.<\/p>\n
She claims that Combs physically abused her, subjected her to \u201cexcessive alcohol and substance abuse\u201d and trafficked her by forcing her to engage in sex acts with other men and filming it. Ventura also says that Combs raped her in her home after she attempted to leave him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 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,\u201d Ventura said in a statement to press.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the expiration of New York\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to Combs, the suit names Bad Boy Records, Bad Boy Entertainment, Epic Records and Combs Enterprises as defendants. Ventura claims that the physical abuse was witnessed by \u201cMr. Combs\u2019 staff and employees of Bad Boy Entertainment and Mr. Combs\u2019s related businesses,\u201d but that his employees never intervened.<\/p>\n
Combs\u2019 \u201cvehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,\u201d according to his lawyer Ben Brafman.
\u201cMs. Ventura\u2019s demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail,\u201d Brafman said. \u201cDespite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs\u2019 reputation, and seeking a pay day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ventura\u2019s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, says that Combs \u201coffered Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit.\u201d<\/p>\n