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Sean Combs and Casandra Ventura at the 2018 Met Gala in New York
Photo: ANGELA WEISS / AFP
Hip-hop mogul Sean Combs has been sued by an ex-girlfriend for rape, abuse and assault. U.S. singer Cassie filed the civil lawsuit in federal court in New York. Combs, known by his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Diddy, denied the allegations through his attorney.
The R&B singer, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, accuses the rapper and producer of sexual abuse, rape, intimidation and physical violence, among other things, during their years-long relationship. The 35-page indictment makes numerous serious allegations. "After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story," the plaintiff said in a statement. She wants to talk about the trauma she has experienced, also in order to help other victims of violence and abuse in partnerships.
Combs strongly denies these "disgusting and outrageous" allegations, his lawyer Ben Brafman said. Ventura threatened to write a book about their relationship and demanded $30 million from Combs. The rapper dismissed this as "obvious blackmail," Brafman said. Ventura's lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, countered in a statement that Combs offered the singer money to prevent the lawsuit. Ventura rejected this.
According to the complaint, Ventura met the then 19-year-old musician in 2005 as a 37-year-old. Combs signed her to his label, Bad Boy Records. During their long-term relationship, which ended in 2018, he controlled her with drugs, abuse and threats of violence, among other things. As part of its lawsuit, Ventura is seeking undisclosed damages.
Combs had become one of the most successful rap musicians in the world by the 2017s. The three-time Grammy winner is also a successful music producer and businessman. In <>, according to Forbes magazine, he was the highest-paid celebrity in the world, and at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, Combs was recognized as a pioneer and received the "Global Icon Award" for his influential career.
max/AFP/dpa