NEW YORK – Cassandra Ventura, who was once in a relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs, is set to face tough questioning from the defense during his trial for sex trafficking on Thursday.
Ventura, known in the music world as Cathy, spent two days testifying about her experiences with Combs, alleging that she endured rape, physical abuse, and coercion for over ten years.
The defense has been focused on suggesting that Ventura used drugs voluntarily and exhibited unpredictable, sometimes violent behavior.
While Ventura’s relationship with Combs included domestic violence, the defense argues that it does not equate to the sex trafficking charges against him. Attorney Tenny Geragos stated earlier this week, “Willing participation in one’s sex life is not sex trafficking.”
Combs, at 55, was once a major force in the music industry but is now facing charges of sex trafficking and running an illegal sex ring, which includes crimes like arson and bribery.
As a key witness, Ventura, now 38, recounted how Combs exploited his wealth and power to fulfill his desires, giving graphic details about forced sexual encounters and violent incidents that support many allegations against him and others in the industry.
In a restrained yet emotional manner, Ventura, who is pregnant with her third child, described participating in “freak-offs” with Combs and male escorts, as well as orchestrated sexual performances directed by him.
She recalled a particularly traumatic incident in 2018 when Combs raped her in her living room after their breakup.
Ventura testified that her relationship with Combs led to lasting effects like PTSD, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. She described using drugs during sexual encounters as “humiliating” and as a way to cope with the trauma.
Graphic hotel surveillance footage from March 2016 shown in court depicted Combs assaulting Ventura. When asked why she didn’t fight back during the attack, she said, “It felt like the safest place.”
Following the incident, Ventura attended the premiere of her film “The Perfect Match” while visibly bruised, wearing sunglasses to conceal her injuries.
The defense argues that Combs’s behavior, while questionable, did not amount to assault or sex trafficking, a claim he vehemently denies.
Ventura’s testimony is projected to continue at least until the end of the week, with court sessions likely extending into the summer.
