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1 year ago
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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.
The rapper, who goes by P Diddy, allegedly controlled and abused Cassie for over a decade - as well as plying her with drugs, beating her, and forcing her to have sex with multiple male prostitutes while he watched and recorded.
The pair, who met in 2005, split in 2018. The lawsuit claims that just before the end of their relationship, Combs forced his way into her home and raped her.
Diddy, 54, has vehemently denied all of the 'offensive and outrageous allegations.'
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.'
The rapper, who goes by P Diddy, allegedly controlled and abused Cassie for over a decade - as well as plying her with drugs, beating her, and forcing her to have sex with multiple male prostitutes on video
The pair, who met in 2005 when she was 19, split in 2018. The lawsuit claims that just before the end of her relationship, Combs forced his way into her home and raped her
Among the serious allegations is that Combs sex trafficked Cassie, 37, to male prostitutes to fulfil his voyeurism fantasies in hotels and at his home.
The lawsuit claims she was directed to have sex with multiple men - sometimes in masks and costumes - while the music exec watched, masturbated, and filmed.
Cassie, in the documents, called the ordeals 'horrific encounters' and said she had to take drugs to disassociate during the trafficking sessions.
During one of the sex sessions in March 2016, which are called 'freak offs' in the lawsuit, a drunk Combs punched her in the face, giving her a black eye.
He fell asleep and she tried to leave the hotel room in Los Angeles, but Combs followed her into the hallway and threw glass vases at her.
Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs are seen on March 22, 2018
The lawsuit claims that while the hotel's security cameras captured the incident, Combs paid the hotel $50,000 for the footage.
The lawsuit also claims that he asked Ventura to carry his gun in her purse. He allegedly once dangled one of Cassie's friend over a 17th-floor hotel balcony.
Combs allegedly plied her with ecstasy and ketamine, and often beat her up. She never told authorities because it 'would merely give Mr. Combs another excuse to hurt her.'
The lawsuit notes one event in 2009 where Combs saw her speaking to another agent, so he pushed her into a car and kicked her repeatedly in the face until she was bloodied.
The documents also describe when Combs got angry that Cassie was dating Kid Cudi in early 2012. Diddy told Cassie that he would blow up Cudi's car.
'Around that time, Kid Cudi's car exploded in his driveway,' the filing said.
Cassie also claims that Combs would threaten to suppress her music if she did not obey his 'violent' orders. He also paid for her car and apartment, and had access to her personal medical records, the suit claims.
She is seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit is brought under the Adult Survivors Act - which is a New York law allowing people to file claims even after the statute of limitations has run out.
The suit said: '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.'
The duo were together for 11 years, from when Cassie was 19
Diddy, who also goes by the stage name Puff Daddy, is worth an estimated $1 billion after being one of the star figures in the commercialization of hip-hop in the 1990s
Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura pictured in May 2017
Ben Brafman, Combs' lawyer, said: 'Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.
'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.'
Diddy, who also goes by the stage name Puff Daddy, is worth an estimated $1 billion after being one of the star figures in the commercialization of hip-hop in the 1990s.
The lawsuit notes one event in 2009 where Combs saw her speaking to another agent, so he pushed her into a car and kicked her repeatedly in the face until she was bloodied
The hip-hop couple, who split after a decade of dating, are pictured at the Met Gala in 2018
He grew to be one of his generation's most notable music producers - working with names such as Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige.
Combs founded Bad Boy - his record label - which Cassie was signed to in 2006.
Cassie has since married Alex Fine and has two children with him.
She was swept up in his luxurious lifestyle and reaped the benefits of having her debut album released under his label.
Combs is no stranger to lawsuits - but they often are surrounding his alcohol brands.
In May this year, Combs sued spirits company Diageo claiming his vodka and tequila brands didn't receive promised investments while being treated as inferior 'urban' products.
The lawsuit filed by Combs Wine and Spirits in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan alleged that Diageo North America starved Combs' Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila brands of resources even as it showered attention on other celebrity brands.
Diageo bought actor George Clooney's Casamigos tequila brand for $1 billion in 2017, for example.
Combs said Diageo leadership told him his race was one of the reasons it limited distribution to urban neighborhoods.
He was also told that some Diageo leaders resented him for making too much money, according to the lawsuit.
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