US rapper sued for rape and assault
US rapper and record producer Sean Combs (54) is facing a civil lawsuit for rape, abuse and assault. The US singer Cassie (37), a former girlfriend of the hip-hop mogul, filed the lawsuit with a federal court in New York. Combs denied the allegations through his lawyer.
The plaintiff, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, accuses Combs of sexual abuse, rape, intimidation and physical violence, among other things, during their years-long relationship. The 35-page indictment contains numerous serious allegations.
"After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story," says the plaintiff in a statement obtained by Deutsche Presse-Agentur. She wants to talk about the trauma she experienced, also to help other victims of violence and abuse in partnerships.
Lawyer: Combs firmly rejects accusations
Combs firmly rejects these "disgusting and outrageous" accusations, said his lawyer Ben Brafman. Ventura had threatened to write a book about their relationship and demanded 30 million dollars from Combs. The rapper rejected this as "obvious blackmail", writes Brafman. Ventura's lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, replied in a statement that Combs had offered the singer money to prevent the lawsuit. Ventura had rejected this.
According to the statement of claim, Ventura met the then 37-year-old musician in 2005 when she was 19 years 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 her lawsuit, Ventura is demanding compensation payments of an undisclosed amount.
Rapper Combs ("Bad Boy for Life", "I'll Be Missing You"), who is also an actor and businessman, is one of the most successful representatives of the hip-hop industry. At the MTV Video Music Awards in September, Combs was honored as a pioneer and for his influential career with the "Global Icon Award".
- Many people have been following the news about the rape and assault allegations against Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, a prominent figure in the music industry.
- The legal process involving Combs and his former girlfriend Cassie (Casandra Ventura) is generating interest in the justice system's handling of such serious allegations within the context of entertainment industry processes and power dynamics.
- People have expressed their opinions about the case, with some supporting the accuser and others defending Combs, a situation that highlights the complexity of attitudes towards celebrity culture and sexual abuse claims.
- The trial, if it proceeds, could potentially influence the way the public perceives and engages with popular music figures, shedding light on the extent to which justice should safeguard victims' voices and prioritize accountability in public lives.
Source: www.dpa.com
