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Sean Combs, the hip-hop mogul who helped outline the style’s sound, is going through accusations of rape, intercourse trafficking and bodily abuse by his former romantic companion Cassie, an R&B singer who was as soon as signed to his Dangerous Boy file label.
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Cassie, whose authorized identify is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit towards the influential music producer in Manhattan’s District Courtroom on Thursday. In accordance with the go well with, the abuse started quickly after the then-19-year-old singer joined the label in 2005.
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The go well with describes Combs, who was 37 after they met, as a “vicious, merciless and controlling man” who lured Cassie right into a romantic relationship and “virtually instantly assert(ed) possession and management over her.”
“The reality, nonetheless, is that Cassie — Ms. Casandra Ventura — was held down by Mr. Combs and endured over a decade of his violent conduct and disturbed calls for,” reads the lawsuit, which features a set off warning for “extremely graphic info of a sexual nature, together with sexual assault.”
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In accordance with the lawsuit, through the course of their relationship, Combs launched Cassie to “a way of life of extreme alcohol and substance abuse,” ceaselessly beat her, compelled her to interact in intercourse acts with male intercourse staff and raped the singer when she tried to go away him.
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“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” stated Ben Brafman, an lawyer for Combs. “For the previous 6 months, Mr. Combs, has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, below the specter of writing a dangerous ebook about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Regardless of withdrawing her preliminary risk, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to submitting a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’ fame and looking for a payday.”
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“After years in silence and darkness, I’m lastly prepared to inform my story, and to talk up on behalf of myself and for the advantage of different ladies who face violence and abuse of their relationships,” Ventura stated in an announcement.
Ventura’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, stated in an announcement, “No human ought to should endure what Ms. Ventura has endured. Her means and willingness to talk up towards the abuse she suffered, and looking for to carry accountable her abuser and those that enabled the abuse, is a testomony to her power and resilience. We’re honored to characterize this courageous sufferer in her pursuit of justice.”
Wigdor additionally responded to Brafman’s assertion, saying, “Mr. Combs provided Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and forestall the submitting of this lawsuit. She rejected his efforts and determined to offer a voice to all girl that suffer in silence. Ms. Ventura needs to be applauded for her bravery.”
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