Diddy’s trial exposes Cassie Ventura abuse allegations, say rapper’s attorneys
Violence, both physical and psychological, defined the relationship between Sean “Diddy” Combs and singer Cassie Ventura, according to revelations from the rapper’s lawyers in court documents. The hip-hop mogul, detained since September 2024, faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy, with a high-profile trial underway in New York that began on May 5, 2025. A 2016 video, widely circulated, shows Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel corridor, bolstering abuse allegations she filed in November 2023. These claims triggered a cascade of lawsuits against Combs, once a towering figure in American music.
Ventura’s accusations paved the way for other victims to come forward, escalating a scandal that has rocked the entertainment industry. Combs, renowned for founding Bad Boy Records and collaborating with icons like Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, denies the charges, asserting that all sexual encounters were consensual. Prosecutors, however, allege he used his business empire to coerce women into participating in events dubbed “freak-offs,” described as coerced sexual encounters recorded under duress.
Key points of the case in 2025:
The trial, expected to last at least eight weeks, has drawn global attention due to Combs’ fame and the severity of the allegations.
A security video from a Los Angeles hotel, released by CNN in May 2024, has become a cornerstone of the case against Combs. The footage shows the rapper chasing Ventura, who attempts to flee barefoot with a suitcase. He grabs her by the hood, throws her to the ground, delivers two kicks, and drags her back to the room. Prosecutors claim the incident followed a “freak-off,” where Ventura was forced into sexual acts with prostitutes while Combs filmed.
Following the video’s release, Combs issued a public apology on social media, calling his behavior “inexcusable” and stating he sought therapy and rehabilitation. His attorneys argue the video does not prove sex trafficking but depicts an isolated conflict in an 11-year, complex relationship. They claim Ventura provoked the altercation after discovering evidence of Combs’ infidelity on his phone.
Prosecutors counter this narrative, noting that Combs attempted to bribe a hotel security guard to suppress the incident. Three days after the assault, the surveillance footage vanished, raising suspicions of a cover-up. The case highlights a pattern of violence, with prosecutors citing additional instances of physical and psychological abuse against Ventura and other victims.
The criminal charges against Combs, formalized in September 2024, outline a decades-long scheme involving sex trafficking and coercion. Prosecutors allege that the rapper leveraged his influence in the music industry to lure women, often with promises of career advancement. These women were then coerced into “freak-offs,” prolonged sexual encounters with prostitutes, frequently under the influence of drugs like ecstasy, GHB, and ketamine.
These events, held in luxury hotels, were recorded by Combs, who allegedly used the footage to blackmail victims. The indictment details how he controlled every aspect of these encounters, from lighting to candle placement, treating them as “personal art projects.” At least three women, including Ventura, have been identified as victims, though prosecutors suggest the total number is higher.
Combs faces three main charges: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation for prostitution. A conviction could result in life imprisonment.
Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit, filed in November 2023, marked the beginning of the wave of allegations against Combs. She claimed the rapper subjected her to physical and sexual abuse over a decade, starting in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37. Ventura signed with Bad Boy Records in 2006, and her relationship with Combs blended professional and personal dynamics, with the rapper exerting control over her career and personal life.
Beyond physical assaults, Ventura alleged that Combs forced her to use drugs and engage in non-consensual sexual acts, often in the presence of other men. One incident described in the lawsuit involves a rape in 2018, after their relationship ended. The case was settled out of court within 24 hours, with a financial agreement estimated in the eight figures, but no admission of guilt from Combs.
Following Ventura’s claims, other women came forward with similar accusations. In December 2023, a woman alleged that Combs and others gang-raped her when she was 17. Over 120 individuals, including men and women, have reported abuses, with claims ranging from rape of minors to coercion in professional settings.
Combs’ defense, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, maintains his innocence, arguing that the allegations are distorted. They claim the “freak-offs” were consensual encounters among adults, often initiated by long-term partners like Ventura. The legal team also accuses the government of leaking the 2016 video to the media, tainting Combs’ image before the trial.
In court hearings, the defense sought Combs’ release on bail, offering up to $50 million, but two judges denied the requests, citing risks to witness and community safety. The defense plans to call former partners to testify that the sexual encounters were voluntary, aiming to counter the prosecution’s narrative.
Sean Combs, born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York, is a pivotal figure in hip-hop history. He began his career as an intern at Uptown Records in 1990, quickly rising to director. In 1993, he founded Bad Boy Records, which launched artists like Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, transforming hip-hop into a mainstream genre. Combs also built wealth through ventures like Cîroc vodka and the Sean John clothing line.
His influence extended beyond music, with connections to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, his girlfriend from 1999 to 2001, and figures like Prince Harry, mentioned in court documents as a guest at his parties. However, his reputation was tarnished by controversies, including a 1999 weapons possession charge, from which he was acquitted, and a 2003 lawsuit over threats with a baseball bat.
Combs’ 2024 arrest and 2025 trial have jeopardized his legacy, with institutions like Howard University revoking his honorary degree and returning a $1 million donation. New York Mayor Eric Adams also demanded the return of the city’s symbolic key, awarded to Combs in 2023.
The trial, which began with jury selection on May 5, 2025, relies on physical evidence and witness testimony. Four women, including Ventura, are expected to testify about the abuses they endured. The 2016 video is a key piece of evidence, alongside recordings of “freak-offs” and statements from employees who witnessed assaults.
Prosecutors allege that Combs led a criminal organization, with security and assistants facilitating abuses and covering up evidence. Court documents cite extreme incidents, such as Combs dangling a victim from a balcony and threatening others with firearms. The defense challenges the authenticity of some recordings and claims witnesses have financial motives.
In March 2024, federal agents searched Combs’ mansions in Miami and Los Angeles, signaling an active criminal investigation. The operations, led by the Department of Homeland Security, seized electronic devices, documents, and potential “freak-off” recordings. The searches garnered significant media attention, with footage of armed agents entering the luxury properties.
Prosecutors claim the seized evidence strengthens the sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The defense, however, called the searches a “witch hunt” based on unfounded civil lawsuits. The properties, worth tens of millions, were often used for Combs’ high-profile parties, described as events attended by celebrities.
Combs’ case has sparked speculation about other public figures, though most allegations are not directly tied to the criminal case. Names like Usher, Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Lopez have surfaced in media due to their proximity to Combs, but none have commented publicly on the recent accusations. Cuba Gooding Jr. was named in a civil lawsuit related to events at Combs’ parties but faces no criminal charges.
Court documents mention “famous athletes, political figures, and international dignitaries” at Combs’ parties, including Prince Harry, who faces no accusations of wrongdoing. Prosecutors have focused on a limited number of victims with concrete evidence, avoiding celebrity involvement without direct proof.
Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest on September 16, 2024. His hair, once black, is now gray, as hair dye is prohibited in the facility. For the trial, he was granted permission to wear civilian clothing, including button-up shirts and sweaters, but photos or videos of the courtroom are banned under federal rules.
Jury selection, which began on May 5, 2025, may take days due to the case’s complexity and Combs’ fame. Opening statements are scheduled for May 12, with victim and witness testimonies over eight weeks. The judge dismissed concerns about jury impartiality, stating measures are in place to ensure a fair trial.
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