The first week of Diddy’s sex trafficking case, recapped

The first week of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial will wrap up in New York City today.

The key witness in this week’s proceedings was Combs’ former partner Casandra Ventura, known as ‘Cassie’.

Ventura alleged Combs physically, emotionally, and sexually abused her during their 2007-2018 relationship.

Combs has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty.

Who is Diddy?

In 1993, Combs founded influential music label Bad Boy Records.

Federal U.S. prosecutors have accused Combs of using his “business empire” to cover up decades of abuse against women, “to fulfil his sexual desires” and “protect his reputation”.

Combs has been charged with sex trafficking, among other serious crimes. He’s also been accused of using his staff to coordinate and conceal his alleged crimes.

Ventura

Combs’ former partner Casandra Ventura took the stand this week.

Combs and Ventura met in 2005, when she was 19. She soon signed a deal with Bad Boy Records. The pair dated on and off from 2007 to 2019.

Ventura, who is eight months pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine, said she chose to testify because she could no longer “carry the shame [and] the guilt.”

A previous lawsuit by Ventura against Combs settled out of court last year.

Testimony

During her first two days on the stand, Ventura testified about days-long group sex events, referred to by Combs as “freak offs”. She said they were often recorded.

You have read 0 articles this year.

Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.

Ventura alleged that during these events, she was pressured to have sex with male sex workers. She described being left with sores in her mouth, urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal issues.

She claimed that when she refused to participate, Combs would blackmail her with videos of her involvement, or beat her.

“I felt pretty horrible… disgusting [and] humiliated,” Ventura told the court.

She described a number of separate physical assaults by Combs, leaving her with bruises and black eyes, and alleged he raped her.

Ventura also detailed the mental health impacts of the alleged decade of abuse, telling the jury she had at one point made a plan to take her own life.

Later in the week, she was cross-examined by Combs’ legal team, who argued she had been a willing participant in the events, presenting text messages between the pair.

Ventura said her texts were “just words at that point,” and that she participated to keep Combs happy.