Turns out rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs had the chance to prevent the bombshell lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, from going public and ultimately, triggering a federal investigation. However, he allegedly denied the opportunity.
A legal commentator from Law & Crime’s short series “The Rise and Fall of Diddy” explained he situation in one of the three episodes. Attorney Donte Mills said following New York’s passage of the law suspending filing deadlines for dated sexual assault cases, Ventura contacted Combs before filing the lawsuit.
“She came to him before she filed [any] lawsuit and said, ‘I believed I was wronged by you. And she gave him an opportunity to settle the case before she brought [a] lawsuit,” said Mills in a preview of the show which was provided to The Guardian.
Mills added that he knew both parties were in talks of resolving the lawsuit before it went public. However, both sides weren’t able to settle the negotiation. Ventura’s lawsuit was filed in November 2023, triggering a hell of a ripple of legal allegations and federal probes.
The Bad Boy Records signee’s civil suit accused Combs of sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault and other allegations. Combs quickly settled the suit within 24 hours, but lawsuits from other associates have quickly followed in the months since. Most recently, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced he’s representing over 100 plaintiffs who came forward with claims of rape, sexual exploitation and sexual assault against the rapper.
However, Ventura’s lawsuit led Combs to get in trouble, criminally. On Monday, Sept. 16, the 54-year-old rap mogul was arrested in Manhattan by federal authorities, six months after they raided Combs’ two homes in Los Angeles and Miami. His indictment was unsealed the following morning, revealing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. The allegations against Combs include sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses.
The most notable claims stem from his so-called “freak off” sex parties, where prosecutors allege women and men were drugged and forced to perform sexual acts at Combs’ pleasure. He was also accused of using video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance.
Diddy has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail three times. His trial is scheduled for May 2025.