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R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura took the witness stand Tuesday in the federal sex trafficking case against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Supported in court by her husband, Alex Fine, Ventura detailed a troubling history of abuse during her relationship with Combs.
Ventura described escalating fights that turned physically violent, saying, “He would … knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head if I was down.” She testified about “freak-offs,” events involving male escorts arranged for Combs where she was pressured to perform sexual acts under his direction.
She said she participated out of fear and love, feeling controlled and unable to refuse without risking his anger. Ventura also revealed that Combs used videos from these encounters to blackmail her and threatened violence, making it difficult to resist his demands.
The singer’s public accusations began in 2023 with a lawsuit alleging abuse and coercion, which was settled quickly but sparked further investigation and similar allegations by others.
Sean Combs faces five felony charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution, with possible sentences ranging from 15 years to life. The trial opened with harrowing testimony and damning surveillance footage allegedly showing Combs assaulting Ventura in 2016.
Combs denies all charges and pleaded not guilty.