R&B singer Cassie, legal name Casandra Ventura, has reached a settlement with her ex-boyfriend and hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs following her accusation of sexual abuse and rape in a lawsuit filed in New York.
In a statement, Cassie expressed her decision to resolve the matter amicably, adding that she wanted to thank her family, fans, and lawyers for their support. Diddy also released a statement wishing Cassie and her family all the best.
The lawsuit, filed just a day earlier, alleged that Combs raped Cassie and subjected her to years of physical and mental abuse. The two began a sexual and professional relationship when Cassie was 19 and Combs was 37. According to the suit, Combs introduced her to a lifestyle characterized as “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled.”
Ventura’s lawsuit claimed that Combs exerted control over her personal life, threatened her career and loved ones, and forced her into engaging in sexual acts with male sex workers while recording some encounters. The suit also alleged that Combs used drugs and subjected her to violent beatings.
In 2018, after attempting to end the relationship, Cassie stated that Combs raped her in her Los Angeles home.
Cassie’s decision to come forward with the lawsuit was framed as a response to years of silence and darkness. She expressed her readiness to tell her story and speak on behalf of women facing violence and abuse in their relationships.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, with both parties confirming their mutual satisfaction with the resolution.
Combs, a three-time Grammy Award winner and founder of Bad Boy Records, has been a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry, collaborating with numerous top-tier artists and earning Grammy nominations. His recent album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” marked his first studio release in 17 years.
Ben Brafman, Combs’ attorney, had previously vehemently denied the allegations, stating that a decision to settle a lawsuit does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
Cassie’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, commended her for her strength in going public with her lawsuit, emphasizing her decision to give a voice to women who suffer in silence.
Cassie gained recognition with her hit single “Me & U,” which topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart in 2006. She has also pursued acting in projects such as “Empire,” “Step Up 2: The Streets,” and “Spenser Confidential.”
