Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly paid his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura $20 million in an out-of-court settlement. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry amid the ongoing legal proceedings.
The rapper, 55, is standing trial on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, and his former lover has given testimony during his ongoing New York court hearing she received the huge deal from Combs and his businesses after she accused the music mogul of rape, abuse and trafficking. Her court appearance represents a crucial moment in the high-profile case.
She stated on the stand she was given $20 million by Combs to settle the accusations out of court, and when asked on the stand who paid her the sum she replied: “Sean and his companies.” Legal experts note that settlements of this magnitude are rare, even in celebrity cases.
And when asked why she is testifying against Combs in the federal trial, where he faces a potential life sentence if convicted, Cassie said: “I’m here to do the right thing. I can’t carry this anymore … the shame, the guilt.” Advocacy groups for survivors have praised her willingness to speak publicly despite the previous settlement.
The 38-year-old singer, known for her hit single ‘Me and U’, was testifying for a second day in Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial. Court observers described the atmosphere as tense during her testimony.
The case follows a civil lawsuit filed by Cassie on 16 November 2023, in which she alleged Combs raped her, physically assaulted her, and forced her to participate in sex acts with other men while he watched. The pair had previously been in a relationship between 2005 and 2018. Throughout this period, Combs maintained significant influence in her professional career.
Combs, 55, denied the “outrageous” claims at the time. His representatives issued strong statements rejecting all allegations when the lawsuit became public.
But he reached a settlement with Cassie the following day. The unusually rapid resolution raised eyebrows throughout the legal community.
Until now, the terms of the agreement had remained undisclosed. Media outlets have speculated about the amount since the settlement was announced.
During her testimony this week, Cassie expanded on the accusations made in her lawsuit. Her account provided jurors with detailed allegations spanning over a decade.
Speaking before a jury on Tuesday (13.05.25), she described a disturbing pattern of alleged abuse and coercion, including being forced to attend what she called “Freak-Offs” — parties involving sex and drugs. These events allegedly became a regular occurrence throughout their relationship.
“The ‘Freak-Offs’ became a job,” she said, adding: “There was no time to do anything else but do them, then try to recover.” Mental health professionals following the case have noted the potential psychological impact of such experiences.
Cassie also told jurors she was 22 years old when Combs first introduced her to the events, and how he would allegedly direct her and others on how to perform sexually. Prosecutors have emphasized the significant power imbalance in their relationship.
“I was in love and I just wanted to make him happy,” she said. This testimony highlighted the complex emotional dynamics that often exist in relationships with alleged abuse patterns.
She also detailed multiple instances of alleged physical abuse during their relationship, saying: “He would bash me on my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me on the head if I was down.” Several jurors appeared visibly affected by these descriptions.
Cassie claimed the violence could be triggered by seemingly minor issues. Her account suggested an unpredictable pattern of alleged abuse.
“I also felt at certain times when I knew it wasn’t even about me … make the wrong face and the next thing I knew I was getting hit in the face,” she said. This type of testimony is consistent with patterns described by domestic violence experts.
In May 2024, CNN published hotel surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs attacking Cassie as she attempted to flee into an elevator. The video evidence became a turning point in public perception of the case.
Following the release of the footage, Combs issued an apology, calling it one of the “darkest times” in his life. His statement marked a significant shift from his previous position of complete denial.
Earlier this week, a Los Angeles Police Department officer testified Combs offered him a bribe at the scene of the 2016 hotel assault. Law enforcement testimony has strengthened the prosecution’s case.
According to the officer, the rapper attempted to hand over “a stack of money” to keep quiet about the incident. This allegation suggests potential obstruction of justice.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. His defense team has challenged the credibility of various witnesses.
Outside the criminal proceedings, Combs is also the subject of multiple civil lawsuits from both men and women alleging various forms of sexual misconduct. The number of separate legal actions has grown in recent months.
He has also denied all those allegations. The music industry has largely distanced itself from the once-influential figure as the legal proceedings continue.
