Casandra “Cassie” Ventura took the stand Tuesday (Could 13) to testify towards Sean “Diddy” Combs, who’s on trial for federal racketeering and intercourse trafficking fees. When requested concerning the nature of her near-decade-long relationship with the rapper, Ventura spilled some grisly particulars.
Set off Warning: The main points of Cassie’s testimony could also be disturbing to some readers.
The Freak-Offs
Ventura was requested to debate the so-called “freak-offs.” After being proven a nonetheless picture of her leaving the InterContinental Resort in 2016, she mentioned she was departing from a “freak-off” hosted there. Resort surveillance footage from that day confirmed her being overwhelmed and dragged by Combs within the hallway. A former resort safety guard testified Monday that he noticed her go away with a “purple eye.”
She mentioned Combs introduced forth the thought of “voyeurism” inside the first yr of them relationship, per CNN.
“It mainly entails the hiring of an escort and establishing this expertise in order that I may carry out for Sean,” Ventura mentioned, including that Combs would be capable of watch her with the opposite individual and direct them on what they have been doing.
“Ultimately it turned a job for me, just about so I knew if it was one thing he needed me to do, I had the contacts to set it up and get a resort room and all of that, however at first, Sean set it up. He was in cost,” Ventura mentioned.
Ventura then defined that at 22, she didn’t perceive the idea of how the character of the “freak-offs” could be a “turn-on.”
“I simply bear in mind my abdomen falling to my butt, simply the nervousness and confusion in that second,” Ventura mentioned of the second she took in what the occasions really entailed.
Diddy’s “Management”
Ventura additionally mentioned she felt obligated to proceed with the occasions as a result of she “beloved Combs very a lot” and “needed to make him pleased.” Nonetheless, she mentioned it acquired to a degree the place she didn’t really feel like she had a lot of a alternative however to conform. Ventura said Combs “managed so much” of her life.
She additionally feared Combs would use the video recordings of the “freak-offs” to blackmail her if she ever informed him “no.” Due to this, she mentioned she held onto damaged electronics together with laptops and telephones simply in case of what content material was on them.
“Sean is a very polarizing individual, additionally actually charming,” Ventura mentioned, through The Related Press. “It’s arduous to actually be capable of resolve in that second what you want when he’s telling you what he needs. I simply didn’t know. I didn’t know what would occur.”
Ventura mentioned she spent a “large chunk of her life” in restoration from the “freak-offs,” which she mentioned ranged from 36 to 72 hours…he longest being 4 days with some breaks. The singer said that may be up for “days on finish” drunk and medicines and having intercourse with “strangers.” She would then need to get better from the drug use, dehydration and sleep deprivation.
“The freak-offs turned a job the place there was no house to do the rest however to get better and simply attempt to really feel regular once more,” she mentioned.
The Violence
When requested to explain her relationship with Combs, Ventura dove proper into the thick of it.
“There have been violent arguments that may normally lead to some kind of bodily abuse. Dragging, various things of that nature,” she mentioned, through The New York Occasions. She added that Combs would allegedly knock her over, drag her and stomp her within the head.
Ventura described the frequency of the beatings as “too steadily,” noting accidents akin to a busted lip, knots on her brow and numerous bruises.
Breaking Down Cassie’s Allegations
The allegations towards Combs of sexual abuse, bodily abuse, bribery and numerous drug offenses have been first introduced forth by Ventura in a lawsuit. Probably the most notable claims have been about his so-called “freak off” intercourse events, the place prosecutors allege the singer was drugged and compelled to carry out sexual acts with male intercourse employees at Combs’ pleasure.
He was additionally accused of utilizing video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance. The 2 settled the day after the go well with was filed.