American hip-hop artist, Sean "Diddy" Combs, has reached an "amicable" resolution in the sexual assault case brought against him by his former partner, Cassandra Ventura.
In the lawsuit filed at a New York federal court on Thursday, Ventura made disturbing allegations of physical and sexual abuse against the entertainment mogul. The 37-year-old singer asserted that the 54-year-old Combs had enticed her into a relationship, creating a situation where she felt unable to reject his advances due to concerns for her future as an emerging artist affiliated with his label.
Ventura detailed that Combs exercised control by subjecting her to sexual abuse and introducing her to a drug-fueled lifestyle, rendering her compliant and submissive. The court documents stated, "She found herself becoming numb to the abuse she was experiencing, and became entirely beholden to Mr. Combs’s demands. She began to blindly follow his instructions out of fear of again being on the receiving end of a vicious beating."
Initially vehemently denying the singer's claims and accusing Ventura of attempting to blackmail his client, Combs's lawyer, Ben Brafman, had refuted the allegations. However, on Friday, just one day after Ventura filed the lawsuit, Combs's legal team reversed their stance and agreed to a settlement with Ventura. Combs himself conveyed this decision in a statement shared by Ventura's attorney, Douglas Wigdor, on Friday evening.
“We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love,” he wrote.
In response, Ventura also issued a statement expressing gratitude to her supporters and confirming the amicable resolution. "I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans, and lawyers for their unwavering support," she stated.