Combs’ Former Girlfriend Alleges He Blackmailed Her with Intimate Videos in Court Testimony
Casandra Ventura, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former girlfriend, has testified that the hip-hop mogul physically assaulted her during drug-fueled sex parties referred to as “freak offs.” She claimed he threatened to release videos of her participation and warned her that he could destroy her career.
“He would grab me, push me down, hit me on the side of the head, kick me,” Ms. Ventura, a rhythm and blues artist known as Cassie, told jurors in Manhattan federal court on the third day of Mr. Combs’ trial concerning charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Ms. Ventura stated that Mr. Combs was dismissive when she showed him a photo of a cut on her eyebrow, which she said he caused in 2013 by throwing her against a bed frame.
“You. Don’t know. When to. Stop,” Ms. Ventura recounted Mr. Combs telling her.
At 38 years old, Ms. Ventura serves as the prosecution’s key witness.
Meanwhile, 55-year-old Mr. Combs has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution.
If convicted on all counts, he faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and potentially life behind bars.
Ms. Ventura mentioned that her more than ten-year relationship with Mr. Combs started off loving but eventually deteriorated.
She informed jurors that resisting Mr. Combs sometimes slowed him down but often exacerbated the abuse.
“It would just make him more violent, make him stronger, make him want to push me harder,” Ms. Ventura shared.
“He said that it would ruin everything I had worked for, that it would make me look like a slut. That I would feel ashamed,” she added.
“Nobody should treat someone like that.”
Jurors examined a 2013 text where Mr. Combs claimed he deleted the videos, yet Ms. Ventura testified that she still saw them on his devices multiple times.
For a decade, Ms. Ventura has testified to participating in “freak offs,” often fearing Mr. Combs would become violent if she did not comply.
Currently, Mr. Combs is jailed in Brooklyn when he’s not present in court.
Earlier this week, jurors viewed a 2016 surveillance video from a hotel in Los Angeles showing Mr. Combs throwing Ms. Ventura to the ground and subsequently kicking her.
Ms. Ventura indicated that the video was recorded after a “freak off” incident that left her with a black eye.
Court sketch of Casandra Ventura holding back tears during her testimony yesterday
Mr. Combs has expressed remorse regarding the video.
Jurors also examined text messages following the hotel incident where Mr. Combs urged Ms. Ventura to return because law enforcement was arriving.
Ms. Ventura refused, stating that she had a black eye and swollen lip, and wished to rest for a movie premiere the following day.
“You are sick to think it was acceptable to do what you’ve done,” Ms. Ventura texted Mr. Combs.
“Please stay far away from me.”
Casandra Ventura said Sean Combs controlled much of her life and career (file image)
Mr. Combs’ attorneys are expected to cross-examine Ms. Ventura after her direct testimony concludes.
The trial is anticipated to last up to two months.
In addition, Mr. Combs faces numerous civil lawsuits from various individuals alleging sexual abuse.
He has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that his relationships were consensual.
Also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, Mr. Combs established Bad Boy Records and played a significant role in launching artists like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher to stardom in the 1990s and 2000s.
