A day after R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura accused rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape and sex trafficking, their legal dispute was resolved.
The two stated they came to a decision on Friday, although they withheld specifics.
Ms. Ventura and Mr. Combs jointly released a statement in which they stated that they “decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control over.”
“I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
“We have decided to resolve this matter amicably,” Mr. Combs wrote. My best wishes are with Cassie and her family. Love.
Ms. Ventura filed the lawsuit on Thursday, claiming that she was forced to endure a cycle of abuse and assault for ten years by her ex-boyfriend, Mr. Combs.
The record executive and rapper, better known by his professional name Puff Daddy, refuted the accusations and charged that the singer was attempting to blackmail him.
The statements were deemed “offensive and outrageous” by his attorney.
Douglas Wigdor, Ms. Ventura’s attorney, confirmed the settlement and stated, “I am really proud of Ms. Ventura for having the courage to go public with her claim. She deserves praise for taking such action.”
Rap producer claimed to have raped and physically assaulted Ms. Ventura over a ten-year period, beginning when she was 19 and he was 37.
She released a statement on Thursday that stated, “After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story.”
She claims that the violent assault started after she met the rapper in 2005, and the lawsuit contains numerous graphic allegations of that abuse.
The complaint claims that Mr. Combs “plied the vulnerable Ms. Ventura with drugs and alcohol, causing her to fall into dangerous addictions that controlled her life” after signing her to his musical label, Bad Boy.
Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” stated Mr. Combs’ attorney Benjamin Brafman after the deal.
“Mr. Combs’ choice to resolve the litigation does not contradict his categorically asserted denial of the allegations in any way. He wishes Ms. Ventura the best and is glad they were able to come to an amicable agreement.”
Speaking prior to the settlement, Ms. Ventura’s attorney addressed Mr. Brafman and stated that Mr. Combs had made her an offer of “eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit”.
The attorney, Doug Wigdor, stated, “She rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all women who suffer in silence.”
In the 2000s, Ms. Ventura put out a number of singles, some of which included Diddy.
Me & U, Long Way to Go, and Official Girl, starring Lil Wayne, are among of her most well-known songs.