R&B star Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura returned to the witness stand in a New York federal courtroom on Friday for the fourth day of testimony in the high-profile sex trafficking and racketeering case against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The trial has captured national attention, with Ventura’s chilling revelations forming the backbone of the prosecution’s case against the 55-year-old entertainment icon.
Combs was arrested in September and is currently facing five felony charges, including sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. The latter charge encompasses disturbing allegations of kidnapping, drugging, and coercing women into sexual acts, often under the influence of drugs and threats.
Ventura, who dated Combs for over a decade and signed with his record label at the age of 19, has emerged as the key witness in the government’s case. Now 37 and expecting her third child with husband Alex Fine, the singer has described a deeply abusive relationship filled with manipulation, physical violence, and sexual exploitation.
“He controlled every aspect of my life,” Ventura testified. “From my music to my friendships and even my body — nothing was mine.”
According to prosecutors, the case represents a pattern of systemic abuse and criminal activity allegedly orchestrated by Combs under the guise of mentorship and industry power. They say Ventura’s experience offers a window into a wider network of coercion and exploitation that implicates several victims.
One of the most damning pieces of evidence introduced by the prosecution was a 2016 surveillance video from a Los Angeles hotel, which appears to show Combs physically assaulting Ventura. In the footage, the music executive is seen kicking and dragging her down a hallway, reinforcing Ventura’s claims of regular physical abuse behind closed doors.
Ventura also testified about being introduced to what Combs allegedly called “Freak Offs”—arranged sexual encounters involving escorts and other individuals, often while she was under the influence of drugs he provided.
“I was groomed, manipulated, and violated,” she said, her voice cracking as she addressed the jury. “He made me feel like I owed him everything, including my body.”
Her decision to testify publicly stems from a lawsuit she filed in November 2023, in which she accused Combs of rape and sustained abuse throughout their relationship. Although both parties reached a financial settlement — reportedly $20 million — just one day after the filing, Ventura said she felt compelled to speak out in court.
“I couldn’t carry the weight anymore,” she said. “Money can’t erase the trauma. I needed the truth to be heard.”
Ventura revealed under oath that part of her motivation was to help other victims find their voice, particularly after more than a dozen women and men came forward in the wake of her lawsuit, each accusing Combs of sexual misconduct, harassment, or violence.
“When I stepped forward, others did too,” she said. “That’s when I knew this was bigger than just me.”
Prosecutors argue that Combs ran a long-term criminal enterprise that revolved around the exploitation of young women, many of whom were aspiring artists or models dependent on his approval and connections to thrive in the entertainment world.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Mendelson told the court that Ventura’s testimony demonstrates “a pattern of predatory behavior masked by wealth and celebrity.”
“This is not just about a toxic relationship,” Mendelson said in her opening arguments. “It’s about an organized scheme of power, control, and abuse.”
Ventura’s harrowing courtroom statements offer a stark contrast to the glamorous image often associated with Combs, whose decades-long career includes launching the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, and Danity Kane, as well as founding the influential Bad Boy Records label.
For his part, Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently denied wrongdoing. His legal team maintains that the allegations are “sensationalized and untrue,” asserting that the sexual encounters described by Ventura and other accusers were consensual.
“Mr. Combs is being targeted by individuals seeking financial gain and media attention,” his attorney Benjamin Brafman said in a statement released to the press. “He maintains his innocence and looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
However, federal investigators say they have compiled substantial evidence, including testimony from multiple alleged victims, corroborating text messages, emails, financial records, and footage such as the hotel video. The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with more witnesses scheduled to testify, including former employees and other individuals who claim to have witnessed Combs’ conduct.
If convicted on the most serious count — racketeering conspiracy — Sean “Diddy” Combs could face a life sentence in federal prison.
As proceedings continue, Ventura has become a symbol for survivors of abuse in the entertainment industry and beyond. Her courage to speak publicly, despite the emotional toll and high-profile nature of the case, has sparked broader discussions about power dynamics, consent, and accountability in celebrity culture.
“For years, I felt voiceless,” she told the court. “Today, I speak not just for myself, but for everyone who’s been silenced by fear.”
