Rape case: American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs and ex-girlfriend reach agreement

American rapper Sean Combs (54) and his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie, have agreed on a settlement. Just one day after Cassie, 37, filed the civil lawsuit alleging rape, assault and battery in a federal court in New York, both parties announced on Friday evening (local time), according to media reports, that they had reached an out-of-court settlement handle the case. However, they did not disclose details of the terms of the settlement. Combs had previously denied the allegations through his attorney.

Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, said in a statement that she had decided to resolve the matter amicably “on terms that allow me a degree of control.” She would like to thank her family, fans and advocates for their continued support. Combs said: “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family nothing but the best. In love.”

Combs is thus spared a potentially long, unpleasant trial that will require publishing a lot of evidence. Ventura, whose allegations are now public, avoided cross-examination by Combs’ attorneys.

During their many years of relationship, the plaintiff had accused Combs of sexual abuse, rape, intimidation and physical violence, among other things. The 35-page indictment made numerous serious allegations. “After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story,” said a statement from the prosecutor, which was made available to the German Press Agency. She wants to talk about the trauma she has experienced, also to help other victims of violence and abuse in relationships.

Combs strongly denies these “disgusting and outrageous” allegations, his attorney Ben Brafman said. Ventura threatened to write a book about their relationship and demanded $30 million from Combs. The rapper dismissed this as “clear blackmail,” Brafman wrote. Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, responded in a statement that Combs offered the singer money to avoid the lawsuit. Ventura rejected this.

According to the lawsuit, Ventura met the then 37-year-old musician in 2005, when she was 19. Combs signed her to his Bad Boy Records label. During their long relationship, which ended in 2018, he controlled her with drugs, abuse and threats of violence, among other things. As part of the lawsuit, Ventura is seeking undisclosed damages.

Rapper Combs (“Bad Boy for Life”, “I’ll Be Missing You”), who also works as a record producer, 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 with the Global Icon Award as a pioneer and for his influential career. (sda/dpa)