Record executive and rapper Sean Combs, also known by the name “Diddy,” has recently completed a two-month federal trial with charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs’ allegations stem back to 1991, where he was accused by multiple women of sexual assault. These accusations rose in Nov. of 2023 when actress and singer Casandra Ventura, an ex of Combs, accused him of a “manipulative and coercive romantic and sexual relationship” in a civil lawsuit.
Casandra Ventura, also known by her stage name “Cassie,” was in an on-and-off relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018. She had met Combs when she was 19 years old and he was 37 years old. Before their relationship had begun, Ventura signed a record deal with Combs’ record label Bad Boy Records.
In her 2023 lawsuit against Combs, she alleges that he had physically, verbally, emotionally and sexually abused her.
“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story,” said Ventura in a statement.
In one account from 2015, Ventura recalled the time where she had spoken to a music manager at an after party in a hotel in Las Vegas. After Combs had witnessed them speaking, he brought Ventura in a bedroom that connected to the hotel suite and beat her repeatedly. She stated that she had run and tried to lock herself in the bathroom to escape Combs, but he had pushed through and continued to beat her.
In another incident, Combs had discovered that Ventura and rapper Kid Cudi had been emailing each other. He had become angered that it appeared the two were becoming close and forming a relationship.
“In February 2012, during Paris Fashion Week, Mr. Combs told Ms. Ventura that he was going to blow up Kid Cudi’s car, and that he wanted to ensure that Kid Cudi was home with his friends when it happened. Around that time, Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway,” said Douglas Wigdor, Ventura’s attorney during the 2023 lawsuit.
The lawsuit was settled out of court, with Ventura receiving $20 million in court.
However, after the lawsuit, more complaints and accusations were filed against Combs. One woman, who went by an undisclosed name to the public, also accused the record executive of sex trafficking and assault.
“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” said Combs. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things they alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
By 2024, Combs was arrested by the authorities and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. In addition, prosecutors also alleged that he engaged in kidnapping, forced labor, bribery and more crimes.
Prosecutors accused Combs of creating drug-filled parties known as “freak-offs,” where he would coerce and force men and women into having intercourse. Hotel suites were often booked, and participants, such as Ventura, would be given drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and oxycodone.
Ventura testified against Combs again during his federal trial and recounted the abuse she faced during their 11-year relationship.
“I’d give that money back if it meant I never had to have freak-offs,” said Ventura while she held in tears.
On July 2, a verdict was reached. Combs was acquitted on two of the biggest charges, racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, but was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is expected to face up to 20 years in prison.
One of Combs’ other attorneys, Teny Geragos, has also reinstated that Combs did not sexually assault anyone, despite Ventura’s and many others’ claims.
“I also have been saying this since the beginning of this case: Sean Combs has not sexually assaulted anybody. I’ve been saying this for months. We’ve said it with each lawsuit that came out. That was proven true. The media got it wrong about Sean Combs every single day for nearly two years,” said Gerago. “He has not sexually assaulted anybody, certainly hasn’t sex trafficked anybody and the jury found that today.”
Wigdor, Ventura’s lawyer, responded to the verdict, believing that she “paved the way.”
“I hope that people still see what Cassie did and think that she really made a difference,” said Wigdor. “We’re pleased that he’s finally been held responsible for two federal crimes, something that he’s never faced in his life.”
Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, requested for him to be released on a $1 million bond. However, Ventura’s lawyers sent a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian requesting to deny the bail. Subramanian denied the bail, stating that Combs had a “disregard for the rule of law and propensity of violence.”
