Cassie settles lawsuit accusing Sean 'Diddy' Combs of sex trafficking and sexual assault
Singer and actress Cassie has settled a lawsuit Friday against ex-boyfriend Sean "Diddy" Combs, according to statements from both parties.
The lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in New York, accused Combs of sex trafficking and sexual assault, according to court documents.
"This evening, Ms. Ventura and Mr. Combs resolved the claims that she filed against him yesterday in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to their mutual satisfaction," an email from Cassie's legal team said in a statement late Friday.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, said in a statement Friday evening, "I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support."
Combs, in his own statement, said "We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love."
An attorney for Combs on Saturday issued a statement that said the decision to settle the lawsuit was not an admission of any wrongdoing.
"Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing. Mr. Combs‘ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best,” Ben Brafman said in a statement.
According to the complaint, Ventura claimed the abuse began when she entered into a professional and sexual relationship with Combs when she was just 19 and he was 37.
After signing her to his label, Bad Boy Records, she alleges that Combs "lured [her] into an ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle, and into a romantic relationship with him -- her boss, one of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry, and a vicious, cruel, and controlling man nearly two decades her senior."
At the time of the filing, Brafman issued a statement on his client's behalf, saying the rapper "vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations."
Douglas Wigdor, Ventura's lawyer, said, "I am very proud of Ms. Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit. She ought to be commended for doing so."
