Singer Cassie Ventura and music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs have reached a settlement just a day after Ventura accused him in a federal lawsuit of rape and prolonged abuse, as per statements from both parties.
Combs expressed his desire for an amicable resolution in a statement on Friday, stating, "We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love."
Ventura, who previously dated Combs, filed the lawsuit on Thursday, alleging rape and years of physical abuse. In her statement, she mentioned her decision to settle amicably, expressing a level of control over the terms. She also thanked her family, fans, and legal team for their unwavering support.
According to CNN Details of the settlement have not been disclosed at this time.
The lawsuit claimed that Combs lured Ventura into a high-paced, drug-fueled lifestyle and initiated a romantic relationship after signing her to his record label, Bad Boy Records, in 2005 or 2006. Ventura, who was 19 at the time, asserted that Combs exerted power over her both professionally and romantically until 2019.
Allegations in the complaint included physical violence, control over her personal life, introduction to excessive substance abuse, and coercion into engaging in various sexual acts with other men. Ventura claimed that after attempting to end their relationship in 2018, Combs forced his way into her home and raped her.
Ventura, now a mother of two, attributed her struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol to Combs, stating that she still suffers from immense emotional distress. She partially linked her decision to come forward to New York's Adult Survivors Act, which allowed adult survivors of sexual abuse to sue despite expired statutes of limitations.
Combs' attorney, Ben Brafman, denied the allegations, calling them "outrageous" and accusing Ventura of persistent threats to write a damaging book unless she received $30 million, which he labeled as "blackmail."
The resolution marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in the relationship between the 54-year-old hip-hop mogul and the 37-year-old R&B singer, known for her hit "Me & U" released under Combs' Bad Boy label in 2006. This story is evolving and will be updated accordingly.
Source:CNN
