Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused by Cassie of rape, years of control and physical abuse in lawsuit

The music mogul has "vehemently" denied the allegations from the R&B singer, who was his longtime romantic partner.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, the rapper, producer, and music mogul known for founding Bad Boy Records, has been sued in federal court by the R&B singer Cassie, a longtime romantic partner who alleges that he raped her and subjected her to years of controlling behavior and physical abuse.

In a complaint filed Thursday in Federal District Court in Manhattan and reviewed by EW, Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleges that Combs repeatedly beat her and forced her to have sex with male sex workers numerous times over the course of their decade-long relationship. The complaint also names Bad Boy Entertainment, Bad Boy Records, Epic Records, Combs Enterprises, and Combs Enterprises LLC as defendants, alleging that "Every time she hid, Mr. Combs's vast network of corporations and affiliated entities found her, and those who worked for Mr. Combs's companies implored her to return to him."

The suit accuses Combs, 54, of repeatedly manipulating Ventura, 37, into remaining under his control by wielding his power in the music industry to threaten her career when she disobeyed his demands. Ventura claims that Combs pressured her into taking illicit drugs and forced her to carry guns in her purse on his behalf. She also alleges that during a break in their relationship, Combs arranged to blow up the car of fellow musician Kid Cudi, whom Ventura was dating at the time.

In a statement provided to EW, Ventura said, "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. 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 Adult Survivors Act gives survivors of sexual abuse a one-year window to sue even if the statute of limitations on their allegations has expired.)

An attorney for Combs, Ben Brafman, said in a statement to EW that his client "vehemently denies" Ventura's "offensive and outrageous allegations."

He added, "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' reputation and seeking a pay day."

An attorney for Ventura, Douglas Wigdor, said the two sides had spoken before the lawsuit and Combs "offered Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit." Wigdor added that his client "rejected [Combs'] efforts and decided to give a voice to all woman who suffer in silence."

Combs — also known at times as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Love — has been one of the most prominent figures in hip-hop for decades, founding Bad Boy in 1993 and working closely with artists including the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher. He met Ventura in 2005 and signed her to Bad Boy, which released her debut album in 2006.

Early in their professional relationship, the suit says, Combs began to exert an extreme amount of control over Ventura's personal life. The complaint claims that Combs monitored Ventura's social life; pressured her into romantic and sexual situations with him; and maintained control over her medical care, her apartment, her car, her makeup, her clothing, and her travels.

Later in their relationship, Ventura alleges, Combs expected her to arrange for "Freak Off" sessions, wherein he would observe and film her having sex with male sex workers. According to the complaint, Combs also beat Ventura frequently during fits of rage and forced her to take numerous drugs, which may have led to memory loss issues she later experienced.

On one occasion in 2018, the suit alleges that Combs raped Ventura in her home after she attempted to leave him.

"No human should have to endure what Ms. Ventura has endured," Wigdor said in a statement. "Her ability and willingness to speak up against the abuse she suffered, and seeking to hold accountable her abuser and those who enabled the abuse, is a testament to her strength and resilience. We are honored to represent this brave victim in her pursuit of justice."

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Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.